Pirkanmaa Unemployment Rises to 35,298 as Long-term Joblessness Surges to 15,198

In August Pirkanmaa had 35,298 unemployed residents, 5,388 more than a year earlier. Of those, 15,198 had been out of work for more than a year, an increase of 3,567 year-on-year; 7,538 had been unemployed for over two years.

Aamulehti reported the figures, citing the Regional Centre for Vitality of Inner Finland. Regional unemployment was 13.1 percent. Tampere recorded the highest local rate at 15.9 percent, followed by Urjala at 15.0 percent, while Pälkäne and Ylöjärvi had the lowest rates, 7.4 and 8.4 percent respectively.

Structural unemployment accounted for about 62 percent of all jobseekers in the region, roughly 21,825 people, meaning many are unlikely to find work from economic growth alone. Fewer people were counted in activation services in August: 5,118 clients, down 1,313 from last year.

Nationwide the number of unemployed and furloughed rose by 18,491, and the national unemployment rate was 12.0 percent. The largest municipal increases in Pirkanmaa were in Tampere (+3,415), Nokia (+391) and Kangasala (+226). The biggest occupational groups among the unemployed were service and sales, specialist roles and construction.

This continues a trend of rising long-term joblessness in the region in recent months as reported in late August and follows earlier updates showing Pirkanmaa accounting for a large share of Finland’s unemployment rise in June.