Unemployment among foreigners falls slower than among Finnish people

The number of job seekers who are of foreign origin has not decreased at the same rate as the number of Finnish job seekers. The number of unemployed people with refugee backgrounds was higher in May than in the previous year, but unemployment among those under 25 has decreased notably.

The figures in the review for May show that:

• In May 2021, there were 34,875 unemployed jobseekers with foreign background, which is 69 more than in April 2021. Compared with May last year, the number of unemployed jobseekers with foreign background fell by around 6,600.
  • Among foreigners, the slower recovery in employment from the coronavirus epidemic is becoming more evident. Compared to May last year, the number of unemployed Finnish jobseekers decreased by 32% and that of unemployed foreign jobseekers by 16%.
  • Even the impact of Uusimaa does not explain the slower recovery in employment among foreigners. Compared to the previous year, the number of unemployed foreign jobseekers decreased less than the number of unemployed Finnish jobseekers in all regions except Lapland.
  • Based on research literature, this slow recovery is expected. Unemployment among foreigners has been found to be more sensitive to economic cycles than among the majority population.
  • The recovery has been the slowest among refugees. Among the citizens of Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan and Syria, the number of unemployed jobseekers was higher than in May of the previous year.
  • Alongside the number of unemployed jobseekers, the number of people outside the labour force should ideally also be considered. However, this information is not available in the Employment Service Statistics.
• The number of unemployed foreign jobseekers under 25 years has decreased in most regions, especially in Pirkanmaa, Southeast Finland, South Savo and Häme.

Based on the register data of the Employment Service Statistics, the Centre of Expertise in Immigrant Integration publishes a monthly review of the employment situation of foreign citizens and foreign-language speakers and of their participation in employment promotion services.

June 2021 owerview of employment of foreign citizens and foreign-language speakers (in Finnish)

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Employment Bulletins