Youth employment barriers and skills mismatch in Finland

Recent data from the 2025 Youth Barometer indicates significant challenges for young people entering the workforce in Finland. Approximately 70 percent of young people report feeling pressure regarding finding employment, with half expressing uncertainty and insecurity about the process. This difficulty is attributed to high entry thresholds, perceived discrimination, and feelings of exclusion rather than a lack of motivation.

Addressing these issues requires tackling the skills mismatch between employers and job seekers. Experts suggest that while companies have social responsibilities, they primarily hire based on specific resource and skill needs. Potential solutions include more systematic mapping of local business needs and the development of innovative, AI-driven recruitment platforms to better match individual skills with employer requirements.