Work-based migration in Finland declined from the previous year, especially in the social and health sector and the construction industry, said Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) in a press release on Tuesday referring to the Annual Report 2024 published by the European Migration Network.
In 2023, first work-based residence permits were issued in Finland to a total of 11,103 persons, representing a decrease of approximately 23% when compared to the previous year.
According to a new report, people migrate to Finland especially from Asian countries to work and study, but also for family reasons.
People still move to Finland mainly from Asia to work. In 2024, the largest groups by nationality were citizens of Thailand, the Philippines, India, China and Vietnam.
Of these, the Philippines, India and Vietnam are international recruitment partner countries specified in the Government Programme.
The top nationalities remained partially unchanged from the previous year, but there were some changes.
Citizens of Thailand surpassed many other nationalities to emerge as the second-largest group as Thai wild berry pickers applied for work permits.
"Sectors that have previously seen rising numbers, such as the social and health sector and the construction industry, saw a decline in 2024. In the construction industry, for example, the number of permits issued fell by 72% from the previous year. We are of the view that the decline in the number of permits issued is attributable to the weak economic situation and higher interest rates. The number of permits issued in the social and health sector, in turn, reflected the weak economic situation in the public sector, especially in the wellbeing services counties," said Johannes Hirvelä, Director for Information Services and Performance Guidance Unit.
Earlier in March 2025, Migri estimated that the number of work permit applications is likely to drop this year.
In 2024, the Migri received 15,024 applications for a first work-based residence permit and the was about 12% lower than in 2023.
- Work-based
- Immigration
- Drops
- Finland
Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
