# Regional unemployment trends in Finland

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/regional-unemployment-trends-in-finland
> Updated: 2026-09-22T05:11:49.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Regional unemployment trends in Finland showed varied patterns through the summer of 2026. In July, several regions reported increases in job seekers. North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu saw a 4% year-on-year increase in job seekers, accompanied by a 16% rise in youth unemployment. South Karelia also experienced a 7% increase in unemployment, though it was the only region to show a slight decline in long-term unemployment despite a 23% rise in youth unemployment.

By August, data indicated different trajectories in other provinces. In Kanta-Häme, the unemployment rate was 10.9%, with moderate growth in the number of unemployed individuals and ongoing concerns regarding long-term unemployment. Conversely, Lapland saw a decrease in unemployment to 9.8% following seasonal patterns, with notable reductions in the number of laid-off workers and decreases in unemployment among women and youth.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-22: Regional unemployment trends show stability in Kanta-Häme and Lapland

August labor data shows Kanta-Häme and Lapland maintaining relatively low unemployment rates compared to the Finnish national average, despite rising long-term unemployment in some areas.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/regional-unemployment-trends-show-mixed-results-in-finland

### 2026-08-25: Unemployment rates fluctuate across Finnish regions in July

July employment data shows rising unemployment in North Ostrobothnia and South Karelia, with significant increases in youth unemployment, while Ostrobothnia maintains the lowest national rate.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/unemployment-rises-in-north-ostrobothnia-and-ostrobothnia-regions

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Cite as: Regional unemployment trends in Finland. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/regional-unemployment-trends-in-finland