Finland sees robust Q2 GDP growth amid uneven consumer confidence

Statistics Finland reported that seasonally adjusted gross domestic product rose by 2.5 % year‑on‑year in the April‑June quarter, far exceeding earlier forecasts of around 0.9 %. Leading economists, including Timo Vesala of the Finnish Mortgage Bank and Jukka Appelqvist of the Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the figures and suggested that annual growth could approach 2 %.

A separate analysis by the Finnish Business Confederation (EK) noted that while business sentiment has improved, consumer confidence remains uneven across the country. Expectations are higher in the south but remain low in northern and eastern regions, where the war in Ukraine and other cost pressures continue to dampen outlooks. The EK’s barometer shows a modest rise in optimism among firms, but overall confidence has not yet spread to households, especially among students and retirees.

Both reports underline that the recent GDP surge marks a positive turn for the Finnish economy, yet the persistence of regional disparities and cautious consumer sentiment could moderate the momentum in the months ahead.