The number of long-term unemployed in Helsinki is over 8,000 more than before the coronavirus pandemic. Long-term unemployed refers to a person who has been continuously unemployed for 12 months or longer.
Long-term unemployment started to increase with the coronavirus pandemic and has not returned to its previous level. In 2023 and 2024, long-term unemployment has continued to rise again.
Over 100,000 long-term unemployed across the country
The number of long-term unemployed in the whole of Finland exceeded 100,000 people last October. About two out of five long-term unemployed in Finland live in Uusimaa and the majority of them live in the Helsinki metropolitan area.
According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment's autumn 2024 labour market forecast, long-term unemployment will continue to grow this year as well, with the growth predicted to continue for 2026.
Long-term unemployment exists in all age groups, but especially long-term unemployment affects unemployed persons over the age of 50. In Helsinki, more than one in two unemployed over the age of 50 are long-term unemployed.
In total, there were over 18,600 long-term unemployed, which is 14% more than a year ago. Despite the increase in the number of long-term unemployed, their share of all unemployed has remained around 40%, as general unemployment has increased at the same time.
Employment services were transferred to municipalities at the turn of the year
Responsibility for organising employment services was transferred from the state to municipalities and cooperation areas formed by municipalities from the beginning of 2025. Helsinki's employment services are responsible for the services of jobseekers and employer customers in Helsinki. In 2021–2024, Helsinki was already involved in the municipal experiment on employment preparing for the reform, which transferred a significant share of private customers to the services provided by the city.
Promoting employment is a city-wide challenge. Services that promote employment are carried out in close cooperation with the city's industries, partners and stakeholders.
