In November, the unemployment rate in the Ostrobothnia employment area (Kaskinen, Korsnäs, Laihia, Maalahti, Mustasaari, Närpiö, Uusikaarlepyy, Vaasa, and Vöyri) remained one of the lowest in Finland at 7.4%, but it was 0.8 percentage points higher than a year ago. Nationwide unemployment was 11.8%, and in the Ostrobothnia ELY region, 7.5%.
Increase in Unemployed Job Seekers
At the end of November, there were 8,960 job seekers in the Ostrobothnia employment area, of which 4,607 were unemployed, an increase of 544 (+13.4%) from last year. Month-on-month, unemployed job seekers increased by 58 (+1.3%).
The largest numerical increase compared with last year was in Vaasa (+423, +16%), while the largest percentage increase was in Mustasaari (+17%, +37 people). Only Vöyri saw a decrease (-8%). Of the unemployed, 360 were fully laid off, 58 fewer than last year (-16.1%).
Unemployment rates were highest in Kaskinen (13.1%) and lowest in Maalahti (3.6%), with Vaasa at 9.3%.
Unemployment decreased slightly among under 25 years old but rose in all other age groups. Long-term unemployment (12+ months) rose sharply, with 1,557 long-term unemployed, up 419 (+36.8%) from last year.
What This Means for Internationals Seeking Work
For internationals living in or moving to Ostrobothnia, these trends highlight both challenges and opportunities:
- Competition may be higher, especially in areas like Vaasa where unemployment has increased.
- Youth under 25 continue to see slightly better opportunities, as unemployment decreased in this group.
- Long-term unemployed may face additional barriers, making networking, language skills, and local experience more important.
- Job openings are limited, so proactively checking local job boards, contacting employment services, and connecting with local networks can help improve chances.
Despite the rise in unemployment, Ostrobothnia remains one of Finland’s regions with lower-than-average unemployment, meaning there are still opportunities for those with the right skills and local knowledge.