In an effort to boost employment among young adults, the Finnish government is planning a 30-million-euro voucher programme as an incentive to employers to hire people between the ages of 18 and 29 for a period of at least six months.
"According to our estimates, this will create opportunities for several thousand young people to enter the workforce — and that's quite necessary in this difficult unemployment situation," Employment Minister Matias Marttinen (NCP) said.
In practice, companies that agree to hire a young person for at least six months would be able to use funds from the vouchers to pay the new hires. The programme will be particularly aimed at young adults with little education and little — or no — job experience.
According to Statistics Finland's data in July, the proportion of unemployed people between the ages of 15 and 24 stood at 16.8 percent, compared to 11.5 percent the same month in 2024.
It was also reported in late July that Finland's unemployment rate (9.9%) was among the highest in Europe, just behind Spain (10.4%).
Marttinen said that the vouchers could be used by firms in any sector.
Details of the programme are still being considered, and the sum of each voucher has not been announced yet. However, Marttinen said there are plans to proceed quickly with the preparations.
"Our goal is for companies to be able to move forward with this very quickly. At the latest, early next year, when we can make the financing decisions on the matter," he explained.
The voucher programme is a part of the government's other efforts to boost employment.
