The number of job vacancies in Finland rose in annual terms for the first time since 2022 during the second quarter of this year, according to Statistics Finland.
Employers reported 29,600 vacancies, up 2 per cent from 28,900 in the second quarter of 2025. The figures describe the situation on 1 June.
The increase ended a run of annual declines in quarterly vacancy figures dating back to 2022.
Statistics Finland senior statistician Matti Lahdenmäki cautioned against interpreting the figures as evidence of a labour market recovery because the change was small.
“Because the growth in the number of open job positions is so small, it may be due to statistical inaccuracy,” Lahdenmäki said. “Still, it is already significant that the long-term decline appears to have stopped.”
Construction recorded the largest increase among industries, with 1,400 more vacancies than a year earlier.
Despite the increase, construction vacancies remained at their second-lowest second-quarter level since 2014, Lahdenmäki said.
Helsinki-Uusimaa recorded the largest regional increase, with 1,600 more vacancies than in the same period last year. Eastern and northern Finland recorded little change or slight declines.
Private companies accounted for 19,500 vacancies, or 66 per cent of the total. Vacancies at private companies increased by 600 from a year earlier.
Businesses and other establishments employing between 10 and 49 people recorded the largest increase by employer size, with 1,500 more vacancies.
The composition of available jobs also changed. Part-time positions accounted for 19 per cent of vacancies, up from 15 per cent a year earlier. The number of part-time vacancies increased from 4,500 to 5,700.
Fixed-term vacancies fell from 11,200 to 10,100. Their share of all vacancies declined from 39 per cent to 34 per cent.
Employers classified 9,900 vacancies, or 33 per cent of the total, as difficult to fill. A year earlier, 10,600 vacancies, or 37 per cent, fell into that category.
HT