Press releases 2003
31 December 2003Consumers' confidence in the economy strengthened in December
Finnish consumers' confidence in the economy has recovered from its slight plunge in November. The consumer confidence indicator stood at 12.2 in December, or approximately 3 units higher than one month or twelve months earlier. In December, consumers' views on Finland's economy brightened and their pessimism about the development of employment moderated. Moreover, they felt increasingly confident about their own economy. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,622 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 1 and 17 December.
31 December 2003Industrial output grew by 0.8 per cent in November from October
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 0.8 per cent higher in November 2003 than in October. In October, seasonally adjusted output fell 0.5 per cent from September.
23 December 2003According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in October compared with September. GDP has been growing compared with the previous month ever since April.
17 December 2003Producer prices for manufactured products fell by 1.6 per cent in the year
According to Statistics Finland, producer prices for manufactured products went down by 1.6 per cent from November 2002 to November 2003. The fall of the overall index was predominantly caused by lower prices of electronic and electrical equipment, and pulp, paper and paper products, and sawn timber and wood products. The fall of the index was curbed by higher price of electricity.
16 December 2003Employment and unemployment in November 2003
- Number of employed persons 18,000 lower than
a year ago
- Employment rate 65.9 per cent
- Number of unemployed nearly the same as one year before
- Rate of unemployment 8.2 per cent, 208,000 unemployed
- 18,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Inflation 0.5 per cent in November
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was 0.5 per cent in November. In October it was 0.3 per cent. The acceleration of inflation was primarily due to higher prices of call charges, food and light fuel oil from the year before.
9 December 2003GDP grew in the third quarter of the year
In the third quarter of 2003, the volume of Finland's gross domestic product grew by 0.8 per cent from the second quarter of 2003. Compared with the third quarter of 2002, GDP was up by 1.6 per cent. According to revised data, in the second quarter of 2003 GDP grew by 0.9 per cent when compared with the corresponding quarter of 2002, and in the January to September period GDP was by 1.5 per cent overall year-on-year. This is indicated by the preliminary National Accounts data compiled by Statistics Finland.
28 November 2003Consumers concerned about the development of unemployment
Finnish consumers' confidence in the economy has weakened somewhat. The consumer confidence indicator stood at 9.1 in November, or 2 units lower than in October. The fall of the indicator was almost entirely attributable to consumers' gloomier views concerning unemployment. However, consumers continued to feel confident about their own employment and economy. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,619 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 3 and 21 November.
28 November 2003Industrial output fell by 0.5 per cent in October from September
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 0.5 per cent lower in October 2003 than in September. In September, too, seasonally adjusted output fell by 0.5 per cent from August. Seasonally adjusted industrial output has gone down from the previous month for three consecutive months. From the year 2000, seasonally adjusted industrial output has only grown by barely 2 per cent.
27 November 2003Growth of GDP share of R&D expenditure slow
In 2002, expenditure on research and development grew by good EUR 200 million in Finland and totalled EUR 4.8 billion. In real terms the expenditure grew by 3.4 per cent. Twelve months earlier the growth only amounted to 1.7 per cent. The GDP share of R&D expenditure went up to 3.5 per cent. However, according to the data provided by business enterprises and public sector organisations and on the basis of other calculations the real value, or the value corrected for inflation, of R&D expenditure is estimated to fall in 2003. At the same time the growth of the GDP share of R&D expenditure will, in practice, halt and may even turn to a decline. The data derive from Statistics Finland's statistics on research and development activity in Finland in 2002.
25 November 2003Volume of GDP grew in September
According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP grew by 0.2 per cent in September compared with August. After the small fall in the early part of the year, GDP has been growing compared with the previous month since late spring.
18 November 2003Employment and unemployment in October 2003
- 35,000 fewer employed than a year ago
- Employment rate 66.0 per cent
- 8,000 fewer unemployed that a year ago
- Rate of unemployment 8.3 per cent, 210,000 unemployed
- 20,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Export prices fell by 3.8 per cent in the year
According to Statistics Finland, producer prices went down by 3.8 per cent from October 2002 to this year's October, primarily because of fallen prices of electronic and electrical goods, and pulp, paper and paper products. The fall of the index was curbed by risen prices of electric motors and transformers, other metals, and instruments and appliances for measuring, checking, testing and navigation.
14 November 2003Inflation slowed down to 0.3 per cent in October
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, slowed down to 0.3 per cent in October. In September, it stood at 0.7 per cent. Inflation was curbed above all by lower cost of petrol and air travel.
31 October 2003Consumer confidence indicator stood at 11.1 in October
The gradual strengthening of Finnish consumers' confidence in the economy continued in October. The consumer confidence indicator stood at 11.1 in October, having been 10.4 in September and 7.8 twelve months ago. Consumers' views about the future of their own economy brightened even further. By contrast, their views on Finland's economy and on the development of unemployment remained fairly gloomy. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,613 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 1 and 21 October.
31 October 2003Industrial output fell by 0.4 per cent in September from August
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output fell by 0.4 per cent in September from August. In August, seasonally adjusted output decreased by 1.7 per cent from July.
24 October 2003According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP grew by 0.2 per cent in August compared with July. Starting from April, the volume of output produced monthly by the whole economy has always grown compared with the previous month.
21 October 2003Employment and unemployment in September 2003
- Number of employed persons unchanged from the
year before
- Employment rate 66.8 per cent
- Number of unemployed 3,000 lower than the year before
- Rate of unemployment 8.0 per cent, 204,000 unemployed
- 23,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Producer prices fell from last year's September
According to Statistics Finland, producer price indices went down by 0.6 to 4.4 per cent from last year's September to this year's September. The largest fall occurred in export prices, down by 4.4 per cent.
14 October 2003Inflation 0.7 per cent in September
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was 0.7 per cent in September. In August it stood at 0.6 per cent.
30 September 2003Consumers' views on Finland's economy improved in September
Consumers' confidence in the economy has strengthened slightly. Consumer confidence indicator was 10.4 in September, while it stood at 9.0 in August. Estimates on the development of Finland's economy were somewhat more optimistic than before in September. In addition, consumers still had strong faith in their own economy. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,644 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 1 and 19 September 2003.
30 September 2003Industrial output fell by 1.3 per cent in August from July
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output went down by 1.3 per cent in August from July. In July, seasonally adjusted output increased by 3.1 per cent from June.
24 September 2003According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP increased by 0.2 per cent in July compared with June. The volume of GDP has grown from the previous month in four consecutive months.
17 September 2003Export prices fell by 4.3 per cent in the year
According to Statistics Finland, export prices went down by 4.3 per cent from last year's August to this year's August. The fall was particularly caused by lower prices of electronic and electrical equipment and pulp and paper and sawn timber and wood products. The fall of the index was curbed by higher prices of measuring, checking and navigating instruments, other special purpose machinery, electric motors and transformers.
16 September 2003In 2004, 2.5 per cent of Finnish government expenditure, €940 million, will be channelled directly to environmental protection. Government environmental expenditure in 2003 amounted to €889 million, corresponding to 2.5 per cent of the State budget. Moreover, in 2002, the local authorities spent €608 million on environmental expenditure, and according to the most recent figures, Finnish industry devoted €498 million to environmental protection in 1999.
16 September 2003Employment and unemployment in August 2003
- 5,000 fewer employed than a year ago
- Employment rate 69.1 per cent
- 12,000 fewer unemployed than a year ago
- Rate of unemployment 7.7 per cent, 202,000 unemployed
- 25,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Inflation 0.6 per cent in August
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was 0.6 per cent in August. In July it stood at 0.5 per cent.
8 September 2003Gross domestic product grew in the second quarter of the year
In the second quarter of 2003, the volume of Finland's gross domestic product grew by 0.6 per cent from the previous quarter. Compared with the second quarter of 2002, GDP was up by 0.7 per cent. According to revised data, GDP increased by 1.8 per cent in the January to March period compared to the corresponding period of 2002, and in the early part of the year GDP was altogether 1.3 per cent higher than one year previously. This is indicated by the preliminary National Accounts data compiled by Statistics Finland.
29 August 2003Consumers have confidence in their own economy and many consider buying a car
Consumers' views on Finland's economy did not change significantly in August. However, their estimates about the development of unemployment were more pessimistic especially compared to the corresponding period of last year. In contrast, consumers had even slightly stronger faith than before in their own economy in August. The consumer confidence indicator was 9.0. Consumers considered the time very favourable for buying consumer durables and households particularly contemplated buying a car. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,598 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 1 and 19 August 2003.
29 August 2003Industrial output grew by 3.1 per cent in July from June
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output went up by 3.1 per cent in July 2003 from June. In June, seasonally adjusted output increased by 0.1 per cent from May. The growth in July is partly attributable to different timing of summer holidays compared with last year.
27 August 2003According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP increased by 0.2 per cent in June compared with May. The output volume also rose in April and May from the previous month.
19 August 2003Employment and unemployment in July 2003
- 28,000 fewer employed than a year ago
- Employment rate 70.5 per cent
- Number of unemployed almost same as a year ago
- Rate of unemployment 7.9 per cent, 213,000 unemployed
- 20,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Export prices fell by 5.1 per cent in the year
According to Statistics Finland, producer price indices went down by 0.6 to 5.1 per cent from July 2002 to this year's July. Export prices fell by most, 5.1 per cent, whereas the basic price index for domestic supply fell by 0.6 per cent. The decline of the indices was caused especially by lower prices of raw materials and capital goods.
14 August 2003Inflation petered out to 0.5 per cent in July
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, slowed down to 0.5 per cent in July. In June, inflation stood at 0.8 per cent. The slowing down was above all due to lower prices of all vegetables and to cuts in interest rates.
31 July 2003Consumer confidence in the economy strengthened slightly in July
Consumers' views on Finland's general economic development improved somewhat in July. Furthermore, consumers still had strong faith in their own economy. The consumer confidence indicator was 9.4, i.e. a few units higher than in June. In July, consumers considered the time particularly favourable for taking out a loan and buying consumer durables. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,565 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 1 and 18 July 2003.
31 July 2003Industrial output fell by 0.3 per cent in June from May
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output went down by 0.3 per cent in June 2003 from May. In May, seasonally adjusted output increased by 0.2 per cent from April.
24 July 2003According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP increased by 0.2 per cent in May compared with April. The output volume also rose in April from the previous month. Before April to May, the trend last went up in autumn 2002.
22 July 2003Employment and unemployment in June 2003
- 5,000 fewer employed than a year ago
- Employment rate 70.7 per cent
- Number of unemployed 17,000 higher than the year before
- Rate of unemployment 9.6 per cent, 264,000 unemployed
- 26,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Export prices fell by 5.8 per cent
According to Statistics Finland, producer price indices went down by 5.8 to 0.8 per cent from last year's June. The biggest fall was recorded in exports prices. Price development was the most moderate for prices exclusive of tax of goods used in Finland, i.e. those covered by the basic price index for domestic supply.
14 July 2003Inflation 0.8 per cent in June
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was 0.8 per cent in June. In May, inflation stood at 0.7 per cent.
30 June 2003Consumers strongly confident in their own economy
Finnish consumers' confidence in the economy weakened somewhat further in June. The consumer confidence indicator stood at 7.2 in June, which is clearly below the long-term average. In June, consumers' views on Finland's economy and on the development of unemployment grew gloomier. In contrast, consumers continued to have strong confidence in the economy and saving possibilities of their own households. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,626 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 2 and 18 June.
30 June 2003Industrial output in May at previous month's level
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was at the same level in May 2003 as in April. In April, seasonally adjusted output increased by 0.7 per cent from March. Over the January to May period of this year seasonally adjusted industrial output was also at the same level as over the corresponding period of last year.
25 June 2003Volume of GDP grew in April from the previous month
According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in April compared to March. The trend in total output last went up from the month before in early autumn 2002. However, when totalled up, seasonally adjusted GDP for the January to April period fell from the preceding four-month period.
17 June 2003Export prices fell by 5.2 per cent
According to Statistics Finland, producer prices for manufactured goods fell by between 1.2 and 5.2 per cent year-on-year. The fall was particularly accelerated by lower prices of electrical equipment. The largest decrease, 5.2 per cent, was recorded in export prices. Price development was the most moderate for goods used in Finland, i.e. those covered by the basic price index for domestic supply.
17 June 2003Employment and unemployment in May 2003
- 19,000 fewer employed than a year ago
- Employment rate 67.8 per cent
- 17,000 fewer unemployed than a year ago
- Rate of unemployment 11.4 per cent, 306,000 unemployed
- 34,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Inflation slowed down to 0.7 per cent in May
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, slowed down to 0.7 per cent in May from April's 1.1 per cent, above all because of lower vegetable prices.
12 June 2003Statistics Finland corrects an error found in the data on final consumption expenditure in National Accounts, 1st quarter of 2003, released on Monday, 9 June 2003.
9 June 2003GDP contracted in the first quarter of the year
In the first quarter of 2003, the volume of Finland's gross domestic product contracted by 1.3 per cent from the end of 2002. Compared to the first quarter of 2002, GDP was still up by 1.2 per cent. GDP last fell in the second quarter of 2001. This is indicated by the preliminary National Accounts data compiled by Statistics Finland.
30 May 2003Industrial output grew by 0.8 per cent in April from March
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 0.8 per cent higher in April 2003 than in March. In March, seasonally adjusted output decreased by 1.9 per cent from February. In the January to April period of this year seasonally adjusted industrial output decreased by 2.8 per cent when compared to the September to December period of last year.
30 April 2003Consumers' views on unemployment grew gloomier
The gradual fading of Finnish consumers' confidence in the economy persisted through May. The consumer confidence indicator stood at 8.6 in May, having been 9.6 in April and 11.9 still in January. In May, consumers' views on the economy remained otherwise almost unchanged from the previous month, but their estimations about the development of unemployment grew distinctly gloomier. Consumers continued to regard the financial situation and the saving possibilities of their own household as excellent. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,582 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 2 and 20 May.
26 May 2003Volume of GDP fell in March from the previous month
According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP went down by 0.1 per cent in March compared to February. The output volume produced by the whole economy in a month has not grown since the end of 2002.
20 May 2003Employment and unemployment in April 2003
- 7,000 more employed than a year ago
- Employment rate 66.6 per cent
- Number of unemployed almost the same as the year before
- Rate of unemployment 10.4 per cent, 272,000 unemployed
- 34,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Export prices fell by 5.8 per cent in the year
According to Statistics Finland, export prices went down by 5.8 per cent from last year's April to this year's April. The fall was particularly caused by that prices of electronic and electrical equipment fell by 15.2 per cent and prices of pulp, paper and paper products by 7.0 per cent. The fall of export prices was curbed by an 8.0 per cent increase in prices of chemicals and chemical products.
14 May 2003Inflation slowed down to 1.1 per cent in April
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, slowed down to 1.1 per cent in April. In March it stood at 1.6 per cent. The slowing down was chiefly due to lower prices of liquid fuels.
30 April 2003Consumers consider the time favourable for taking out a loan and buying consumer durables
Consumers' confidence in the economy was in April more or less unchanged from March. One year ago the consumer sentiments were better, however. The consumer confidence indicator was 9.6 in April. Consumers still had strong faith in their own economy, and pessimism concerning Finland's economy declined slightly from March. The time was considered ever more favourable for raising a loan and purchasing consumer durables. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,616 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 1 and 22 April 2003.
30 April 2003Industrial output fell by 2.2 per cent in March from February
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output went down by 2.2 per cent in March 2003 from February. In February seasonally adjusted output increased by 3.4 per cent from January. In the first quarter of this year, seasonally adjusted output decreased by 3.3 per cent compared to the last quarter of last year.
25 April 2003Volume of GDP in February on level with the previous month
According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP did not grow in February 2003 compared to the previous month. The output volume produced by the whole economy in a month has remained almost unchanged from the end of last year to February of this year.
22 April 2003Employment and unemployment in March 2003
- 11,000 more employed than a year ago
- Employment rate 66.3 per cent
- Number of unemployed 14,000 higher than the year before
- Rate of unemployment 9.9 per cent, 257,000 unemployed
- 37,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Producer prices for manufactured products fell by 1.5 per cent in the year
According to Statistics Finland, producer prices for manufactured products fell by 1.5 per cent from last year's March to this year's March. The fall was mainly attributable to lower prices of electronic and electrical equipment, pulp, paper and paper products. The fall was curbed by higher prices of oil products and chemical products.
14 April 2003Inflation slowed down to 1.6 per cent in March
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, slowed down to 1.6 per cent in March. In February it stood at 1.9 per cent. Inflation decelerated primarily because the year-on-year increase in the price of petrol was smaller in March than in February. Lower prices of food also curbed inflation.
31 March 2003Consumers have confidence in their own but not in Finland's economy
No significant change took place in Finnish consumers' views on the economy between February and March. The consumer confidence indicator stood at 10.1 in March. Over the past few months, consumers' confidence in the economy has been only slightly weaker than the average since 1995. In March, consumers' views on Finland's economy and on the development of unemployment were pessimistic. In contrast, they still believed strongly in their own economy. Consumers continued to think that the time was very favourable for raising a loan and buying consumer durables. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,627 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 3 and 19 March.
31 March 2003Industrial output grew by 4.3 per cent in February from January
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 4.3 per cent higher in February 2003 than in January. In January, seasonally adjusted output decreased by 5.2 per cent from December. The data for the early part of the year indicate that the development of cyclical trends in industry is fairly uncertain.
28 March 2003GDP in January on level with the previous month
According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP did not grow in January 2003 compared to the previous month. The strong growth of GDP slowed towards the end of last year and has remained almost unchanged until January of this year.
18 March 2003Employment and unemployment in February 2003
- 16,000 fewer employed than a year ago
- Employment rate 66.1 per cent
- Number of unemployed 13,000 lower than a year ago
- Rate of unemployment 9.0 per cent, 229,000 unemployed
- 35,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Export prices fell by 3.9 per cent in the year
According to Statistics Finland, export prices fell by 3.9 per cent from last year's February to this year's February. The fall was mainly attributable to lower prices of electronic and electrical equipment, paper and paperboard and fur products. The fall was curbed by higher prices of oil products as well as by risen prices of measuring and control equipment and iron, steel and ferro-alloys.
17 March 2003Income of elected MPs quadruple compared to persons entitled to vote
The average income of the elected MPs, EUR 75,500, was double compared to the candidates (EUR 34,200) and nearly quadruple (EUR 19,700) compared to persons entitled to vote.
16 March 2003Parliamentary election candidates differ from the electorate most with regard to their income. According to Statistics Finland, the average taxable income of the candidates was EUR 34,200 in 2001, or 74 per cent more than that of those entitled to vote. The average income of persons entitled to vote was EUR 19,700. The candidates of the National Coalition Party and the Centre Party have about triple the income compared to persons with the right to vote.
14 March 2003Inflation accelerated to 1.9 per cent in February
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, rose to 1.9 per cent in February. In January it stood at 1.4 per cent. Inflation accelerated above all because food prices went up in this year's February, but fell in February 2002. Higher prices of liquid fuels also speeded up the increase in consumer prices.
28 February 2003Gross domestic product grew by 1.6 per cent last year
According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the volume of Finland's gross domestic product grew by 1.6 per cent in 2002. The growth was slightly greater than in the previous year, but remained modest if compared to the final years of the 1990s. Gross domestic product, or the combined value added of the goods and services produced, totalled EUR 140 billion last year.
28 February 2003Consumers' confidence in the economy almost unchanged in February
The consumer confidence indicator, expressing Finnish consumers' views on the economy, stood at 10.6 in February, while in January it was 11.9. One year ago, consumers' confidence in the economy was slightly stronger than this. In February, consumers' views on Finland's economy and the development of unemployment were pessimistic. In contrast, they still had strong faith in their own economy. In February, consumers thought the time was very favourable for raising a loan and buying consumer durables. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,583 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 3 and 21 February.
28 February 2003Industrial output went down by 5.1 per cent in January from December 2002
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output went down by 5.1 per cent in January 2003 from December 2002. In December, seasonally adjusted output decreased by 0.8 per cent from November. Industrial output last declined more than this in April 2001, when seasonally adjusted industrial output fell by 8.4 per cent from the previous month.
26 February 2003Government investment in R&D set to stay at EUR 1.4 billion in 2003
The Finnish government will invest EUR 1.417 billion in research and development this year. This is only EUR 25 million more than in 2002. Research expenditure will grow by 1.8 per cent in nominal terms, but decrease by 1.2 per cent in real terms. Government research expenditure as a proportion of overall government spending stands unchanged from the previous year at 4.4 per cent. The data derive from Statistics Finland's publication "Government R&D funding in the State Budget for 2003", produced jointly by a network of experts from different administrative branches.
25 February 2003GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in December from the previous month
According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP was 0.1 per cent higher in December 2002 than in November. The strong growth rate of GDP in early 2002 stabilised between September and December in comparison to the previous months.
18 February 2003Export prices fell by 2.7 per cent in the year
The year-on-year change of Statistics Finland's revised producer price indices varied between -2.7 and 1,8 per cent in January 2003. Export prices went down by 2.7 per cent from last year's January. The fall was mainly attributable to lower prices of electronic and electrical equipment, pulp, paper and paper products. The fall was curbed by higher prices of oil products, metals and metal products.
18 February 2003Employment and unemployment in January 2003
- 23,000 more employed than a year ago
- Employment rate 65.8 per cent
- Number of unemployed 9,000 lower than the year before
- Rate of unemployment 9.5 per cent, 243,000 unemployed
- 33,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Inflation slowed down to 1.4 per cent in January
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, slowed down to 1.4 per cent in January. In December it stood at 1.7 per cent. Inflation was curbed above all by lower food prices compared to January 2002 and cuts in the prices of motor cars.
12 February 2003Women are overtaking men on the information highway
In the past few years, women have been overtaking men in many age groups as users of the mobile phone, Internet and email. Men are still ahead in only the oldest age groups. This is revealed by a Statistics Finland research report entitled A great migration to the information society? Patterns of ICT diffusion in Finland in 1996-2002.
31 January 2003Industrial output fell by 0.3 per cent in December 2002 from November
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output went down by 0.3 per cent in December 2002 from November. In November seasonally adjusted output increased by 1 per cent from October.
31 January 2003Consumers consider the time favourable for buying consumer durables
Consumers' confidence in the economy strengthened slightly in January. The consumer confidence indicator was 11.9 in January, against 9.4 in December. In January consumers assessed their households' saving possibilities as excellent. In contrast, they were still pessimistic about Finland's economy and the development of unemployment. In January consumers thought the time was exceptionally favourable for purchasing consumer durables. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey, for which 1,654 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 2 and 21 January 2003.
24 January 2003GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in November from the previous month
According to the trend of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP was 0.1 per cent higher in November 2002 than in October. The growth rate of GDP stabilised between August and November in comparison to the previous months.
21 January 2003Employment and unemployment in December 2002
- 6,000 fewer employed than a year ago
- Employment rate 66.7 per cent
- Number of unemployed unchanged from one year ago
- Rate of unemployment 8.1 per cent, 208,000 unemployed
- 16,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
Higher price of crude oil raised import prices
According to Statistics Finland, import prices rose by 2.0 per cent from December 2001 to December 2002. The rise was particularly due to higher price of crude oil. In addition to crude oil, increased prices of motor vehicles, oil products and base metals had a significant effect on the rise of import prices. The rise was restrained by lower prices of other vehicles, electronic goods, chemicals and chemical products, coal and agricultural products. The average import prices were 2.7 per cent lower in 2002 than in 2001.
14 January 2003Inflation 1.7 per cent in December
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was 1.7 per cent in December 2002. In November it stood at 1.6 per cent. The average inflation for 2002 was 1.6 per cent.