Unemployment rate of young men higher than that of women in all regions

According to Statistics Finland's employment statistics, 296,500 persons were unemployed at the end of 2017. There were 38,700 unemployed aged 18 to 24. Among young men, the share of unemployed in the labour force was higher than among women in all regions. Around every third unemployed young person had also been unemployed in the previous year. Forty-one per cent of unemployed persons aged 18 to 24 did not belong to families.

Unemployment rate of persons aged 18 to 24 by region and sex in 2017*, %

*Data are preliminary

In 2017, there were 296,500 persons unemployed, of whom 13 per cent were aged 18 to 24. According to preliminary data, the unemployment rate of persons aged 18 to 24 was around 15 per cent. The share of unemployed in the working-age labour force (aged 18 to 64) was 11 per cent.

Examined by region, the unemployment rate of those aged 18 to 24 was highest in Kymenlaakso, where 24 per cent of the labour force in the age group were unemployed.

The unemployment rate of men aged 18 to 24 was 18 per cent, the corresponding rate for women was seven percentage points lower (11 per cent). The difference between sexes in the unemployment rate varied by region: The difference was biggest in South Karelia, where the unemployment rate of young men was 14 percentage points higher than that of women. Correspondingly, the difference was smallest in Åland, where the unemployment rate of young men was one percentage point higher than that of women.

The share of women among unemployed persons aged 18 to 24 was 39 per cent. The share varies by region: The share of women was smallest in Kainuu: 32 per cent, and biggest in Åland, 43 per cent.

Unemployed man aged 18 to 24 was most often unemployed in the year before as well

In 2017, altogether 23,700 men aged 18 to 24 were unemployed. Of them, 8,500 had also been unemployed in the previous year. Nearly as many had been a student one year earlier. The number of unemployed women was 15,000, most of whom had been students in the year before, 4,200 had been unemployed.

Main type of activity in the previous year of unemployed persons aged 18 to 24 in 2017

*Other: Pensioners, Conscripts and other persons outside the labour force

Forty-one per cent of young unemployed persons did not belong to families

Forty-one per cent of unemployed persons aged 18 to 24 did not belong to families. Thirty-five per cent had the status of a child as their family status, that is, they were living with their parents. Children living with their parents or the spouse's biological children or adopted children are considered children by their family status regardless of their age.

Unemployed persons aged 18 to 24 by family status in 2017, %

*Other includes categories: institutional population, family status unknown and mother/father, no spouse

Source: Employment Statistics, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Netta Hiitola 029 551 3552, info@stat.fi

Director in charge: Jari Tarkoma

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Updated 17.12.2018

Referencing instructions:

Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Employment [e-publication].
ISSN=2323-6825. profession and socio economic position 2017. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 6.11.2024].
Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/tyokay/2017/01/tyokay_2017_01_2018-12-17_tie_001_en.html