Economic Overview

For the latest updates on the key economic responses from governments to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the IMF's policy tracking platform Policy Responses to COVID-19.

Despite being vulnerable to the international conjuncture, Finland is often cited as a model example for its economic performance, competitiveness and innovative success. After experiencing only a mild contraction following the COVID-19 pandemic, economic activity had already reached its pre-crisis level in mid-2021. According to IMF estimates, GDP grew 2.1% in 2022 (from +3% one year earlier) driven by strong public and private consumption (the latter being underpinned by buoyant demand for services and a strong labour market), as well as by a build-up of inventories. Finland was severely affected by the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict: following its application to join NATO, Russia terminated gas and electricity exports. In this context, high energy prices and inflation, together with weaker external demand, will have a negative impact on the country’s performance, with growth projected at 0.5% in 2023, before it rebounds to 1.1% the following year (IMF – 0.2% and 1.4%, respectively, according to the EU Commission).

Finland’s public finances are generally solid, despite recording public deficits following the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine (the Finnish government announced additional spending on defence of 0.3% of GDP in 2022 and 0.4% in 2023). According to the latest figures from the IMF, the government budget recorded a deficit of 2% in 2022, which is projected to improve only slightly this year (-1.6% of GDP) due to the measures taken to mitigate the economic and social impact of high energy prices (0.4% of GDP). Similarly, the general government public debt-to-GDP ratio increased to 66.7% in 2022 (from 66.2% one year earlier) and should follow an upward trend over the forecast horizon (67.4% and 69.6% in 2023 and 2024, respectively – IMF). Energy prices contributed to an unprecedented inflation rate of 6.5% in 2022; however, weaker economic activity and lower energy costs are projected to bring the inflation rate down to 3.5% in 2023 and 1.8% in 2024.

Finland's GDP per capita – estimated at USD 58,659 (PPP) in 2022 by the IMF - is among the highest in the world and higher than the EU-27 average, allowing the country to offer a high living standard. The distribution of wealth is relatively balanced, although social inequalities have risen in recent years. Finland is the European country most impacted by an ageing population and the fall of its labour force, a phenomenon that weighs heavily on its public finances. Other challenges that the country will be facing are the decreasing productivity in traditional industries and the need for a reduction of high labour costs. Unemployment stood at 7% in 2022 (from 7.6% one year earlier). The weakening economic conditions, which are already translating into a lower number of vacancies, imply a temporary increase in the unemployment rate in 2023 and 2024 (around 7.4% according to the IMF projections).

Foreign Trade

Finland is a highly industrialised country whose economy relies heavily on foreign trade, which represented 79% of its GDP in 2021 (World Bank – latest data available). In the same year, Finland mainly exported forestry products (18.9%), chemicals (18.4%), metal and metal products (16.6%), and machinery and equipment (13%); importing chemicals (18.1%), electric and electronics industry products (14.3%), products from mining and quarrying (11%), transport equipment (10.9%) and machinery (8.9% - data Finnish Customs).

According to official government data, the main trading partners were Germany (14.9%), Russia (11.9%), Sweden (11.6%), China (9%) and the Netherlands (5.3%); while the country’s imports came chiefly from Germany (13.3%), Sweden (10.3%), the U.S. (6.8%), the Netherlands (6.3%), and Russia (5.4%).

Finland's trade balance had traditionally been positive in the past, but its performance deteriorated in the last decade, alternating slightly positive results with negative ones. In 2021, the total export of goods (at USD 82 billion, +23.8% y-o-y) almost matched the total value of imports (USD 86 billion, -+26.1% y-o-y); whereas exports of services stood at USD 32.9 billion against almost USD 35.7 billion of import (with an annual double-digit increase of 14.2% and 12.5%, respectively - data by WTO). According to the latest figures from Statistics Finland, in the first ten months of 2022 the country exported EUR 66.7 billion worth of goods, importing EUR 77.1 billion.

COVID-19 Country Response

Travel restrictions

Regularly updated travel information for all countries with regards to Covid-19 related entry regulations, flight bans, test and vaccines requirements is available on TravelDoc Infopage.
To find information about the current travel regulations, including health requirements, it is also advised to consult Travel Regulations Map provided and updated on a daily basis by IATA.

Import & export restrictions

A general overview of trade restrictions which were adopted by different countries during the COVID-19 pandemic is available on the International Trade Centre's COVID-19 Temporary Trade Measures webpage.

Economic recovery plan

The summary of the EU’s economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic is available on the website of the European Council.
For the general overview of the key economic policy responses to the COVID-19 outbreak (fiscal, monetary and macroeconomic) in Finland, please consult the country's dedicated section in the IMF’s Policy Tracker platform.

Support plan for businesses

For an evaluation of impact of the Covid pandemic on SMEs and an inventory of country responses to foster SME resilience, refer to the OECD's SME Covid-19 Policy Responses document.
You can also consult the World Bank's Map of SME-Support Measures in Response to COVID-19.