Labour cost index 2026, 1st quarter
Private sector cost of an hour worked increased by 3.7 per cent in January to March 2026
releaseAccording to Statistics Finland, labour costs in the private sector increased by 3.7 per cent in January to March 2026 when compared to the respective period of the year before. In the central government sector, costs grew by 2.8 per cent and in local government by 5.3 per cent.
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Key selections
- The first quarter of 2026 had 62 working days, which is the same as in the corresponding period of 2025.
- In the local government, the cost of an hour worked grew more than in private sector and in the central government in January to March 2026 from one year ago.
- Among private sector industries, the biggest rise in labour costs was recorded in information and communication (J) (8.4%).
- Costs in the private sector grew least in forest industry (C 16-17) (1.2%).
Tables
See key statistical data in the tables.
Labour costs, index points 2024Q1-2026Q1
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Labour costs, annual change percentages 2024Q1-2026Q1
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Data revisions
See key statistical data in the tables.
Revisions to annual changes in the original labour cost index by sector
| 1/2025 | 2/2025 | 3/2025 | 4/2025 | 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private sector | 1st release, % | 5,9 | 4,4 | 3,2 | 2,4 | 4,0 |
| Latest release, % | 5,8 | 4,4 | 3,1 | 2,3 | 3,9 | |
| Revision, %-points | -0,1 | 0,0 | -0,1 | -0,1 | -0,1 | |
| Central government | 1st release, % | 5,3 | 5,5 | 5,5 | 1,1 | 4,4 |
| Latest release, % | 5,3 | 5,5 | 5,5 | 1,1 | 4,4 | |
| Revision, %-points | 0,0 | 0,0 | 0,0 | 0,0 | 0,0 | |
| Local government | 1st release, % | 7,7 | 7,6 | 2,2 | 4,2 | 5,5 |
| Latest release, % | 7,4 | 6,6 | 3,2 | 4,5 | 5,3 | |
| Revision, %-points | -0,3 | -1,0 | 1,0 | 0,3 | -0,2 | |
1st release refers to the point of time when data for the reference period were first published. Revision describes the difference on annual change percentages between the latest and the first release. The revisions are calculated from rounded numbers.
Revisions to annual changes in the seasonally adjusted labour cost index by sector
| 1/2025 | 2/2025 | 3/2025 | 4/2025 | 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private sector | 1st release, % | 6,8 | 3,6 | 3,4 | 2,5 | 4,0 |
| Latest release, % | 6,4 | 3,3 | 3,2 | 2,7 | 3,9 | |
| Revision, %-points | -0,4 | -0,3 | -0,2 | 0,2 | -0,1 | |
| Central government | 1st release, % | 5,5 | 5,9 | 5,4 | 1,6 | 4,4 |
| Latest release, % | 5,4 | 5,7 | 5,2 | 1,6 | 4,4 | |
| Revision, %-points | -0,1 | -0,2 | -0,2 | 0,0 | 0,0 | |
| Local government | 1st release, % | 6,7 | 7,1 | 4,5 | 4,6 | 5,3 |
| Latest release, % | 5,6 | 5,7 | 4,7 | 4,8 | 5,2 | |
| Revision, %-points | -1,1 | -1,4 | 0,2 | 0,2 | -0,1 | |
1st release refers to the point of time when data for the reference period were first published. Revision describes the difference on annual change percentages between the latest and the first release. The revisions are calculated from rounded numbers.
Database tables
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Future releases
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Referencing instructions
Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Labour cost index [online publication].
Reference period: 2026, 1st quarter. ISSN=1798-3746. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [Referenced: 17.10.2026].
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Contact information
Service email
tvkindeksi@stat.fiInquiries primarily
Antti Saarinen
Senior Statistician
029 551 3551
Other experts
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Senior Statistician
029 551 3299
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Harri Lehtinen
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