Press releases 2005
20 Dec 2005
Employment and unemployment in November 2005
- Number of employed persons 28,000 higher than one year before - Employment rate 67.5 per cent - Number of unemployed unchanged from one year before - Rate of unemployment 8.0 per cent, 207,000 unemployed - 28,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices - In January to November 2005, the average number of employed persons 34,000 higher than in the previous year's corresponding period
15 Dec 2005
ICT used less in Finland than in other Nordic Countries
Nearly four out of five 16 to 74-year-olds used the Internet in the Nordic Countries in spring 2005. Internet use was most common in Iceland, where the Internet was used by 86 per cent of the population and the second most common in Sweden, where 81 per cent utilised the Internet. Only 73 per cent of Finns made use of the Internet, which was the least of all Nordic Countries. This appears from the publication Nordic Information Society Statistics 2005 released by the Nordic Council of Ministers and the national statistical institutes of the Nordic Countries.
7 Dec 2005
Research and development expenditure growing slowly
Nearly EUR 5.3 billion was expended on research and development in 2004. R&D expenditure grew by five per cent, while in 2003 growth was around four per cent. R&D expenditure rose by EUR 250 million from the year before. Although R&D expenditure of business enterprises increased most, by over EUR 150 million, enterprises' share of R&D expenditure fell slightly, to 70 per cent. The data appear from Statistics Finland's publication Tutkimus- ja kehittämistoiminta 2004 (Research and Development 2004, in Finnish only).
5 Dec 2005
Appointment news from Statistics Finland: Tuula Kuivalainen appointed as Marketing Director
Tuula Kuivalainen, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration), has been appointed Marketing Director of Statistics Finland for the five-year term from 1 December 2005 to 30 November 2010. The Marketing Director is responsible for Statistics Finland's marketing and customer process support, for the regional services produced by the agency's regional service offices, and for the co-ordination and development of its charged customer service activities.
23 Nov 2005
Statistical Yearbook of Finland 2005, basic reference book in the field of statistics, released
The compendium of statistics, Statistical Yearbook of Finland 2005, has been released. The statistics in the volume are grouped under 32 topics, which cover the entire Finnish society - included are statistics on the population, businesses, living conditions, education and culture, economy and business activities and environment. The Yearbook published by Statistics Finland has 702 pages and 688 statistical tables and graphs, a number of thematic maps and an 81-page international section. Besides the latest annual data, the Yearbook also contains long time series and regional data. Statistics Finland has been publishing the Yearbook since 1879.
22 Nov 2005
Employment and unemployment in October 2005
- Number of employed persons 55,000 higher than one year before - Employment rate 67.9 per cent - Number of unemployed 18,000 lower than one year before - Rate of unemployment 7.2 per cent, 185,000 unemployed - 26,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices - In January to October 2005, the average number of employed persons 34,000 higher than in the previous year's corresponding period
11 Nov 2005
Finland's economy strong by Nordic comparison
Finland's production has grown by 38 per cent from 1995 to 2004, most among all Nordic Countries. Growth has been double compared with the average for the euro area. In the mid-1990s the income level (GDP per capita) in Finland was below the euro area average, at the moment clearly above the average. The data appear from the new Nordic Statistical Yearbook 2005. It presents comparative statistical data on such topics as the environment, population, labour market, businesses and the economy. The statistics cover the five Nordic Countries and the autonomous areas of Åland, Faroe Islands and Greenland.
25 Oct 2005
Employment and unemployment in September 2005
- Number of employed persons 32,000 higher than one year ago - Employment rate 68.0 per cent - Number of unemployed nearly unchanged - Rate of unemployment 7.1 per cent, 184,000 unemployed - 30,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices - In January to September 2005, average number of employed persons 32,000 higher than in previous year's corresponding period
4 Oct 2005
Erkki Liikanen, Governor of the Bank of Finland at Statistics Finland's 140th Anniversary Seminar
All parties concerned with social policy should focus on the concept of productivity and on its depiction, Erkki Liikanen, Governor of the Bank of Finland said at the Anniversary Seminar of Statistics Finland in Helsinki today. In future, special thought should be given to the depiction of productivity and to the compilation of statistics describing it, for the connection between productivity and well-being is losing clarity in integrated economies. According to Liikanen, this must be taken into consideration in assessing the extent to which our economy can afford to pay wages and dividends, or become indebted. He would also like to see increasingly precise analyses and statistics concerning the productivity of the public sector, especially public administration and services.
20 Sep 2005
Employment and unemployment in August 2005
- Number of employed persons 20,000 higher than one year before - Employment rate 69.0 per cent - Number of unemployed 21,000 lower than one year before - Rate of unemployment 7.2 per cent, 188,000 unemployed - 36,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
16 Sep 2005
Finnish environmental spending in 2006 almost EUR 900 million
A total of EUR 895 million of projected Finnish government expenditure for 2006 has been earmarked for environmental protection - amounting to 2.3% of the total budget. Government spending on the environment in 2005 is expected to amount to EUR 969 million (2.6% of overall expenditure). In addition to central government spending, Finland's local authorities spent a total of EUR 629 million on environmental measures in 2004.
12 Sep 2005
Appointment news from Statistics Finland: Hannele Orjala appointed Director of Business Trends Unit
Hannele Orjala, Master of Social Sciences, has been appointed Director of Statistics Finland's Business Trends Unit for the five-year period between 1 October 2005 - 30 September 2010.
23 Aug 2005
Employment and unemployment in July 2005
- Number of employed persons nearly unchanged - Employment rate 70.7 per cent - Number of unemployed 15,000 lower than one year before - Rate of unemployment 7.3 per cent, 197,000 unemployed - 23,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices - In January to July 2005, the average number of employed persons 34,000 higher than in the previous year's corresponding period
26 Jul 2005
Employment and unemployment in June 2005
- Number of employed persons 40,000 higher than one year ago - Employment rate 71.5 per cent - Number of unemployed nearly unchanged - Rate of unemployment 8.7 per cent, 239,000 unemployed - 29,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices - In January to June 2005, average number of employed persons 39,000 higher than in previous year's corresponding period
30 Jun 2005
New statistical data in future as press releases and statistical releases
Statistics Finland's English-language webpages have been rebuilt. At the same time, the release practices and visibility of new statistical data were revised.
29 Jun 2005
Appointment news from Statistics Finland: Ilkka Hyppönen appointed Chief Director, Statistics Production
Ilkka Hyppönen, Master of Social Sciences, has been appointed Chief Director, Statistics Production at Statistics Finland for the five-year period starting on 1 August 2005. The duty of the Chief Director, Statistics Production is to direct and develop the uniformity, productiveness and processes of statistics production to meet evolving international and domestic data needs.
21 Jun 2005
Employment and unemployment in May 2005
- Number of employed persons 39,000 higher than one year ago - Employment rate 68.5 per cent - Number of unemployed 39,000 lower than one year before - Rate of unemployment 10.2 per cent, 274,000 unemployed - 36,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices - In January to May 2005, the average number of employed persons 38,000 higher than in the previous year's corresponding period
14 Jun 2005
Net Price Index increased 0,7 per cent in May
Constant tax inflation, i.e. year-on-year change in net price index was 0,7 per cent in May. In April it was 1,2 per cent. The CPI increased in May by 0,8 per cent.
31 May 2005
Industrial output fell by 0.3 per cent in April from March
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 0.3 per cent lower in April 2005 than in March.
27 May 2005
Consumers have saving possibilities - confidence in Finland's economy weakening
Consumers' confidence in the economy was nearly unchanged in May compared with the previous month and one year ago. The consumer confidence indicator stood at 14.0, having been 13.5 in April and one year ago. The confidence indicator was also on the level of its long-term average. Compared with the previous month, of the four components of the confidence indicator belief in one's own economy remained strong in May and unchanged from April and views on saving possibilities rose to record level. In contrast, expectations of Finland's economy and development of unemployment weakened further among consumers. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey for which 1,513 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 2 and 19 May.
27 May 2005
Finland in Figures 2005 pocket compendium of statistics published
Statistics Finland's pocket compendium of statistics, Finland in Figures 2005, has been published. This 40-page information pack on Finland and the Finns contains statistics and graphics describing the population, economy, industry, culture and popular elections in Finland. The publication also contains international comparison data.
24 May 2005
Employment and unemployment in April 2005
- Number of employed persons 43,000 higher than one year ago - Employment rate 66.4 per cent - Number of unemployed 12,000 lower than one year before - Rate of unemployment 10.0 per cent, 260,000 unemployed - 39,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices - In January to April 2005, the average number of employed persons 38,000 higher than in the previous year's corresponding period
17 May 2005
Producer price indices in April 2005
According to Statistics Finland, producer price indices rose by 1.1 to 6.2 per cent in the year to April. The biggest increase was recorded in import prices, which was particularly attributable to higher prices of crude oil, basic chemicals, oil products, and iron, steel and ferro-alloys. The rise of import prices was curbed by lower prices of electrical products and pharmaceutical preparations.
13 May 2005
According to preliminary data, inflation in the EMU countries 2.1 per cent in April
According to the preliminary data on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, the rate of inflation in the member states of the EMU was 2.1 per cent in April. In March, it also stood at 2.1 per cent. The corresponding figure for Finland in April was 1.1 per cent.
13 May 2005
Inflation accelerated to 1.2 per cent in April
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was 1.2 per cent in April. In March it was 1.0 per cent. The biggest reason for the slight acceleration of inflation was increased price of petrol.
12 May 2005
GDP slightly growing in March
According to the seasonally adjusted series of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP grew by 0.1 per cent in March from the previous month. The trend of GDP also indicates equal growth for the economy.
29 Apr 2005
Industrial output grew by just under one per cent in March from February
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 0.9 per cent greater in March 2005 than in February. Seasonally adjusted volume of industrial output grew by 1.1 per cent from March 2004.
27 Apr 2005
Households tempted to buy a dwelling and invest in funds
In April, consumers' confidence in the economy weakened slightly compared with the previous month. The consumer confidence indicator stood at 13.5, having been 16.4 in March. However, the confidence indicator was on the previous year's level and equal to its long-term average. Compared with the previous month, of the four components of the confidence indicator expectations of one's own economy remained unchanged in April, while the other views turned slightly in a negative direction. Confidence in one's own economy speeded up households' intentions to buy a dwelling and savings in investment funds also increased. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey for which 1,559 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 1 and 19 April.
26 Apr 2005
Employment and unemployment in March 2005
- Number of employed persons 51,000 higher than one year ago - Employment rate 67.1 per cent - Number of unemployed 23,000 lower than one year before - Rate of unemployment 8.5 per cent, 219,000 unemployed - 41,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices - In the first quarter of 2005, average number of employed persons 36,000 higher than in pervious year's corresponding quarter
20 Apr 2005
GDP growing in February
According to the seasonally adjusted series of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP grew by 0.4* per cent in February. The trend of GDP also indicates that the economy has stayed on level with the previous month.
18 Apr 2005
Producer price indices in March 2005
According to Statistics Finland, producer price indices rose by 1.5 to 5.5 per cent in the year to March. The biggest increase was recorded in import prices, which was particularly attributable to higher prices of crude oil, basic chemicals, and iron, steel and ferro-alloys. The rise of import prices was curbed by lower prices of electrical products and pharmaceutical preparations.
14 Apr 2005
According to preliminary data, inflation in the EMU countries 2.1 per cent in March
According to the preliminary data on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, the rate of inflation in the member states of the EMU was 2.1 per cent in March. In February, it also stood at 2.1per cent. The corresponding figure for Finland in March was 0.9 per cent.
14 Apr 2005
Inflation accelerated to 1.0 per cent in March
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, accelerated to 1.0 per cent in March. In February it was 0.2 per cent. This acceleration was expected because the fall in alcohol tax one year ago ceased to influence inflation.
31 Mar 2005
Industrial output in February on level with January
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 0.1 per cent lower in February than in January 2005. Seasonally adjusted volume of industrial output fell by 0.7 per cent from February 2004.
29 Mar 2005
Consumers' confidence in the economy stronger than a year ago
In March, consumers' confidence in the economy remained more or less unchanged from the previous month. The consumer confidence indicator stood at 16.4, having been 16.8 in February. However, the confidence indicator stood clearly above its long-term average and was nearly four points higher than at the corresponding time last year. The year-on-year rise of the indicator is mainly due to lessened pessimism in expectations concerning unemployment. Compared to the previous month, the only one of the four components of the confidence indicator that improved in March was that relating to views concerning Finland's economy, while the rest of the components showed slight negative changes. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey for which 1,630 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 1 and 17 March.
22 Mar 2005
Employment and unemployment in February 2005
- Number of employed persons 40,000 higher than one year ago - Employment rate 66.7 per cent - Number of unemployed 8,000 higher than one year before - Rate of unemployment 9.2 per cent, 237,000 unemployed - 43,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
21 Mar 2005
GDP fell from the previous month, growth 1.7 per cent from one year before
According to the seasonally adjusted series of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP fell by one per cent in January compared with December's strong growth. The trend of GDP also fell a little from the previous month.
17 Mar 2005
Producer price indices in February 2005
According to Statistics Finland, producer price indices rose by between 1.5 and 5.8 per cent in the year to February. The biggest increase was recorded in import prices, which was particularly attributable to higher prices of crude oil, basic chemicals, iron, steel and ferro-alloys. The rise of import prices was curbed by lower prices of electrical products and pharmaceutical preparations.
14 Mar 2005
According to preliminary data, inflation in the EMU countries 2.0 per cent in February
According to the preliminary data on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, the rate of inflation in the member states of the EMU was 2.0 per cent in February. In January, it stood at 1.9 per cent. The corresponding figure for Finland in February was 0.0 per cent.
14 Mar 2005
Inflation 0.2 per cent in February
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was the same in February as in January, 0.2 per cent.
28 Feb 2005
Consumers' confidence in their own economy at record high
Consumers' confidence in the economy strengthened distinctly in February. The consumer confidence indicator stood at 16.8, having been 12.3 in January and 11.1 twelve months earlier. All four components of the confidence indicator improved in February form the month before, although views concerning Finland's economy by only slightly. In February, consumers' views concerning the economy were the brightest since January 2001. Consumers' confidence in their own economy has never been as strong a this. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey for which 1,546 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 1 and 15 February.
28 Feb 2005
Gross domestic product grew by 3.7 per cent last year
According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the volume of Finland's gross domestic product grew by 3.7 per cent in 2004. Gross domestic product, or the combined value added of the goods and services produced, amounted to EUR 150 last year. In the first quarter of the year, output was 1.0 per cent greater than in the previous quarter, in the second quarter 0.8 and in the third quarter 1.1 per cent greater. During the last quarter of 2004, GDP increased by 0.6 per cent from the previous quarter.
28 Feb 2005
Industrial output fell by 4.1 per cent in January from December
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 4.1 per cent lower in January 2005 than in December 2004. Seasonally adjusted volume of industrial output grew by 1.1 per cent year-on-year from January 2004.
22 Feb 2005
Employment and unemployment in January 2005
- Number of employed persons 18,000 higher than one year ago - Employment rate 65.3 per cent - Number of unemployed 8,000 higher than one year before - Rate of unemployment 9.8 per cent, 249,000 unemployed - 38,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
17 Feb 2005
Producer price indices in January 2005
According to Statistics Finland, producer price indices rose by between 0.6 and 4.5 per cent in the year to January. The biggest increase of 4.5 per cent was recorded in import prices. Import price index was particularly raised by higher prices of crude oil, processed metals and basic chemicals. Export prices increased by 1.1 per cent from January 2004. Risen prices of oil products and basic chemicals had the most impact on the rise.
15 Feb 2005
GDP on the increase in December
According to the seasonally adjusted series of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP grew by 0.9 per cent in December from the previous month. The trend of GDP also indicates growth for the economy.
14 Feb 2005
According to preliminary data, inflation in the EMU countries 2.1 per cent in January
According to the preliminary data on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, the rate of inflation in the member states of the EMU was 2.1 per cent in January. In December, it stood at 2.4 per cent. The corresponding figure for Finland in January was -0.2 per cent.
14 Feb 2005
Inflation slowed down to 0.2 per cent in January
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, slowed down to 0.2 per cent in January. In December, it stood at 0.4 per cent.
31 Jan 2005
Industrial output grew by 7.3 per cent in December form November
According to Statistics Finland, seasonally adjusted industrial output was 7.3 per cent higher in December 2004 than in November. The original output volume grew by 12.3 per cent compared with December 2003. In 2004, the original output volume increased by 4.8 per cent compared with the year before.
27 Jan 2005
Consumption is regarded as worthwhile in January
Consumers' confidence in the economy weakened somewhat at the turn of the year. In January, the consumer confidence indicator stood at 12.3, having been 14.6 in December. However, confidence in the economy was more or less on level with twelve months earlier. Of the four components of the confidence indicator, views concerning own and Finland's economy and those about saving possibilities weakened slightly in January from the month before. Expectations concerning the development of unemployment remained unchanged. On the other hand, consumers regarded the time very favourable for making major purchases. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Consumer Survey for which 1,573 persons resident in Finland were interviewed between 3 and 19 January.
25 Jan 2005
Employment and unemployment in December 2004
- Number of employed persons unchanged - Employment rate 66.3 per cent - Number of unemployed fell by 14,000 - Rate of unemployment 7.7 per cent, 195,000 unemployed - 21,000 new vacancies at labour exchange offices
20 Jan 2005
GDP on the increase in November
According to the seasonally adjusted series of the Monthly Indicator of GDP calculated by Statistics Finland, the volume of GDP grew by 0.4 per cent in November from the previous month. The trend of GDP also indicates growth for the economy.
17 Jan 2005
Producer Price Indices in December 2004
According to Statistics Finland, producer price indices rose by between 0.1 and 3.5 per cent from December 2003 to December 2004. The biggest increase of 3.5 per cent was recorded in import prices, caused primarily by risen prices of crude oil, processed metals, metal ores, chemicals and chemical products. The rise in the prices was curbed by lower costs of electrical products and pharmaceutical preparations.
14 Jan 2005
According to preliminary data, inflation in the EMU countries was 2.3 per cent in December
According to the preliminary data on the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices, the rate of inflation in the member states of the EMU was 2.3 per cent in December. In November, it stood at 2.2 per cent. The corresponding figure for Finland in December was 0.1 per cent.
14 Jan 2005
Inflation 0.4 per cent in December
According to Statistics Finland, the year-on-year change in consumer prices, i.e. inflation, was 0.4 per cent last December. In November, it stood at 0.5 per cent. Last year's average rate of inflation was 0.2 per cent.