More than 60 percent of unemployed residents with foreign backgrounds in the Helsinki region cite poor Finnish skills as a key barrier to employment, according to new city research.
The study, based on the MoniSuomi 2022 dataset from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, found that 62 percent of unemployed respondents aged 20 to 74 identified language as an obstacle. Among the employed, 48 percent reported the same.
The second most common barrier was limited contact with ethnic Finns. This was experienced by 58 percent of unemployed participants, compared to 36 percent of those in work.
The research shows major differences in perceived obstacles between those in and out of work. Sanna Vesikansa, Deputy Mayor of Helsinki, said in a press release that the figures "reflect a structural challenge that must be addressed through both policy and practice."
Health was a concern for 43 percent of unemployed respondents, but only 13 percent of the employed. Lack of work experience was reported by 43 percent of unemployed and 22 percent of employed.
Despite some individuals being in employment at the time of the survey, many had previously experienced these barriers while seeking work. The results suggest both personal and structural factors affect access to employment.
The article also notes that many individuals face multiple barriers simultaneously. These include issues tied to work, experience, psychosocial health, and access to networks.
The data was adjusted for background factors such as age, gender, education, length of residence in Finland, and language skills. Even after these were taken into account, unemployed respondents reported all forms of employment barriers more often than those employed.
The gap remained wide: unemployed individuals were four times more likely to report poor health and three times more likely to report lack of experience as barriers, compared to their employed peers.
Taru Stenvall, senior researcher at the City of Helsinki Executive Office, said the findings underline the persistent disadvantages faced by residents with foreign backgrounds.
“Barriers linked to individual circumstances, such as language or health, are common,” Stenvall said. “But many also report structural obstacles, including employer discrimination.”
These structural barriers include perceived biases in recruitment and hiring processes. The study did not measure employer practices directly, but several respondents mentioned discriminatory attitudes in open comments.
The results come as Finland seeks to increase work-based immigration in response to labour shortages in healthcare, construction, and services. Helsinki’s city government has called for better access to Finnish language education, mentoring, and inclusive employment policies.
The data supports previous findings from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment that foreign background residents are more likely to face long-term unemployment and lower wages, even when qualified.
A total of 1,500 respondents living in the Helsinki metropolitan area participated in the study. The study's findings have been published in a new article by the city’s executive office.
The city has stated that the results will inform future integration measures and employment services for residents with immigrant backgrounds.
HT