Increase in Unemployment Among Foreigners Slowed Down in 2025

According to the report, while the increase in unemployment slowed down, unemployment also began to lengthen, and long-term unemployment increased. The trend reflects a widespread deterioration in the labour market, with labour supply increasing and demand falling. The increase in unemployment among foreign women has continued longer and remains stronger than among men. In December 2025, the percentage of women among unemployed foreigners was 49.5 per cent.

The start of new employment areas occurred during a challenging labour market situation 

At the start of 2025, the responsibility of arranging employment services was transferred from the government to 45 employment areas. At the same time, the Act on Promotion of Immigrant Integration increased the workload of municipalities in integration services. The new employment areas started their operations during a very challenging labour market situation. Unemployment, and particularly long-term unemployment, had turned sharply upwards a year earlier, and demand for labour was falling in many sectors. The labour market situation remained challenging throughout 2025. The number of unemployed job seekers grew in almost all employment areas, levels of education and occupational groups. 

The annual integration review inspects the employment of foreign and immigrant customers and the launch of services in new employment areas 

Since the beginning of 2025, the statutory task of the KEHA Centre has been to centrally assess and monitor the operational performance of the employment and integration services, as well as to produce information to support both local and national decision-making. 

The National Annual Report on Integration Services, published for the first time by the KEHA Centre, contains key figures on the employment and unemployment of foreigners and foreign-language speakers between 2023 and 2025. In addition, the launch of the labour official's services for immigrant customers in new employment areas will be considered. The knowledge base is primarily based on the databases and statistics maintained and owned by the KEHA centre. Qualitative research data has been used to frame and deepen statistical analyses.

Further information: 

• Santtu Sundvall, Head of Unit, Evaluation and Knowledge-based Leadership Unit, KEHA Centre, firstname.lastname(at)keha-keskus.fi
• Heidi Lehtovaara, Lead Researcher, Evaluation and Knowledge-based Leadership Unit, firstname.lastname(at)keha-keskus.fi
• tietopalvelu@keha-keskus.fi  

National annual report on integration services (doria.fi, in Finnish)