23 October 1997
Inquiries: Mr Tapio Oksanen, tel. +358 9 1734 3228, Mr
Hannu Siitonen, tel. +358 9 1734 3225, Ms Salme Kiiski, tel. +358 9
1734 3230, or Mr Timo Koskimäki, tel. +358 9 1734 3517
Statistical Director in charge: Mr Risto
Lehtonen
Continued improvement in Employment in September
According to the Labour force Survey of Statistics Finland there were 1 841 000 wage earners in September, which is 60 000 more than a year ago. Employment improved the most in the metal industry, in housing construction, and in public and other services.
There were 315 000 unemployed people in September, just over 20 000 less than last year. The unemployment rate was 12.7 per cent, being 1.1 percentage points lower than the figure in September 1996. The unemployment rate of men was 11.8 per cent and that of women 13.7 per cent. Youth unemployment stood at 57 000, being roughly the same as a year ago. The highest unemployment rate was recorded in the construction industry, at 17.1. per cent. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 14.2 per cent.
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Changes in the labour force 9/1996 - 9/1997, 1 000 persons |
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| September | August | September | CHANGE, % | ||
| 1996 | 1997 | 1997 | 9/96-9/97 | ||
| Employed wage earners | 1 781 | 1 868 | 1 841 | 3.3 | |
| Processing industries | 511 | 560 | 543 | 6.3 | |
| Service sector | 1 228 | 1 264 | 1 264 | 2.9 | |
| other industries | 42 | 45 | 34 | -20.4 | |
| Employed entrepreneurs + assisting family members | 324 | 340 | 316 | -2.7 | |
| Employed, total | 2 106 | 2 210 | 2 159 | 2.5 | |
| Unemployed, total | 336 | 313 | 315 | -6.5 | |
| under 25 years of age | 55 | 59 | 57 | 2.6 | |
| Unemployment rate, % | 13.8 | 12.4 | 12,7 | -1.1 1 | |
| under 25 years of age, % | 25.7 | 21.6 | 23,6 | -2.1 1 | |
| Economically inactive | |||||
| aged 15 to 74 | 1 411 | 1 341 | 1 392 | -1.4 | |
| Unrounded figures are used in the CHANGE column. | 1 percentage points | ||||
In addition to the unemployed, there were about 114 000 people able to take on a job who were not seeking one. About 23 000 of these people, generally classified in concealed unemployment, believed jobseeking to be fruitless and were therefore not seeking a job. Approximately 91 000 of those belonging to this group were not seeking a job because of studies, child care, or some other reason. These people are classified as economically inactive.
There were 236 000 part-time workers in September, of whom 74 000 would have preferred a full-time job.
All in all, there were on average 45 000 more wage earners in the January to September period and 26 000 less unemployed people than in the corresponding period of the year before.
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Labour force and changes in January - September 1996-97, 1 000 persons (mean value) |
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| Jan-Sept. | Jan-Sept. | CHANGE | CHANGE, % | ||
| 1996 | 1997 | 1-9/96-1-9/97 | 1-9/96-1-9/97 | ||
| Employed wage earners | 1 803 | 1 848 | 45 | 2.5 | |
| processing industries | 525 | 543 | 18 | 3.3 | |
| service sector | 1 233 | 1 263 | 30 | 2.4 | |
| other industries | 45 | 42 | -3 | -5.3 | |
| Employed entrepreneurs + assisting family members | 328 | 322 | -6 | -1.9 | |
| Employed, total | 2 131 | 2 172 | 41 | 1.9 | |
| Unemployed, total | 408 | 382 | -26 | -6.5 | |
| under 25 years of age | 79 | 86 | 7 | 8.8 | |
| Unemployment rate, % | 16.1 | 14.9 | .. | -1.2 1 | |
| under 25 years of age, % | 28.9 | 28.2 | .. | -0.7 1 | |
| Economically inactive | |||||
| aged 15 to 74 | 1 309 | 1 307 | -2 | -0.1 | |
| Unrounded figures are used in the CHANGE column. | 1 percentage points | ||||
Impact of the revision on comparability
Statistics Finland revised the Labour Force Survey at the beginning of 1997 to better correspond to the concepts and definitions used by the European Union and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and to better meet the demands of international comparability. Seasonal variations in the labour markets are more evident in the revised Labour Force Survey. Although most of the effects of the revision were anticipated and the figures for September 1996 accordingly adjusted, year-on-year comparisons remain somewhat uncertain.
The revision was based on the results of a parallel survey conducted between March and December 1996. The sample survey was, however, fairly small and did not cover the whole year, so the revisions are crude. The results of the Labour Force Survey of early 1997 have also been used in the revisions.
The final revised figures for 1996 will be released in March 1998. Until then the revised data will remain preliminary. The comparability of the survey will improve in January 1998, when data for the revised survey will have been collected for the whole of 1997.
This year it is advisable to assess the unemployment trend primarily on the basis of the changes in the number of wage earners. The adoption of the statistical principles of the EU at the beginning of this year makes comparisons especially in the numbers of entrepreneurs to the 1996 figures difficult.
The data for the Labour Force Survey of Statistics Finland were collected by interviewing some 12 000 Finnish residents of working age. The data are from between September 15 and 21. The Labour Force Survey is a panel survey where over a period of 18 months each person is included five times in the sample.
Since the Labour Force Survey is a sample survey, random variation has to be taken into account when assessing the changes. The confidence interval in the September unemployment rate is ± 0.5 percentage points.
381 000 unemployed jobseekers in the Ministry of Labour registers
The Ministry of Labour also publishes statistics on unemployment. The data are on the number of unemployed jobseekers on the last working day of each month. At the end of September there were 381 000 unemployed jobseekers in the job applicant's register of the Ministry of Labour.
Owing to differences in methods and definitions, the unemployment figures issued by Statistics Finland and the Ministry of Labour are not fully comparable. However, the figures generally change in the same direction, so that the figures of the Ministry of Labour are some tens of thousands higher.
Unemployment benefits paid in July
Statistics on the amount of unemployment benefits paid are compiled by the Social Insurance Institution and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The statistics of both institutions indicate the number of beneficiaries during the month, which means that unemployment spells that started and ended in that month are also recorded, as well as the adjusted daily unemployment allowance of those working part-time or on short employment contracts.
Unemployment benefits were paid to altogether about 414 000 unemployed people in July. The number of unemployment recipients fell by approximately 44 000 compared to July 1996.
Source: Labour Force Survey,September 1997. Statistics Finland