Finland’s economy is set for weak growth in 2025, with a fuller recovery not expected before 2026, according to a new economic outlook released by Danske Bank. The bank forecasts a 0.9 percent increase in GDP next year, followed by 2.0 percent growth in 2026. It identified high unemployment, weak consumer confidence and global trade tensions as main obstacles to faster recovery.| Helsinki Times - Helsinki Times
Karol Nawrocki, President of Poland, will visit Finland on 9 September for a working meeting with Alexander Stubb, President of Finland. The visit will take place at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki. The two heads of state will hold official talks focused on bilateral cooperation between Poland and Finland. The agenda also includes Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and other regional security issues.| Helsinki Times - Helsinki Times
Buyers in the Helsinki region are prepared to pay far more for homes than buyers elsewhere in Finland, according to new figures from Oikotie. While half of prospective homeowners across the country are budgeting no more than €200,000 for a home, only a quarter of those looking in the capital region are doing the same. Among Helsinki region buyers, 26 percent are looking for properties priced between €200,000 and €300,000.| Helsinki Times
Members of the Finnish Parliament will receive increased salaries from 1 October, following a decision by the parliamentary remuneration committee. The adjustment includes rises for ministers, deputy speakers, and the Speaker of Parliament. First-term MPs will see their monthly pay increase by €500 to €7,637, a rise of 7%. Those in their second or third term will receive €7,944. MPs with more than 12 years of service will receive €8,393, up from €7,993.| Helsinki Times
Support for Finland’s Social Democratic Party (SDP) has climbed to 25.8%, the highest level recorded in two decades, according to Yle’s latest monthly poll. The figures, gathered by Taloustutkimus between 11 August and 2 September, show a 1.1 percentage point rise for the opposition party compared to the previous month. SDP, led by Antti Lindtman, now holds a lead of over six percentage points ahead of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's National Coalition Party (Kokoomus), which remains steady...| Helsinki Times
More people in Finland are turning to food aid, but there is less food to give, according to a new report by the national food assistance platform Ruoka-apu.fi. The Ruoka-avun tilannekatsaus report, published this week, found that 73% of food aid providers saw an increase in demand during 2024. Families with children, young people, and immigrants, including those who fled the war in Ukraine, were identified as the fastest-growing user groups.| Helsinki Times
Food delivery platform Wolt is asking Finland’s Supreme Administrative Court to annul its recent ruling that classified Wolt couriers as employees, not independent entrepreneurs. The company claims the decision misapplied legal principles and failed to consider relevant EU case law. Wolt confirmed on Tuesday it had filed for annulment of the May ruling, which reshaped the legal landscape for platform-based work in Finland. The decision found that Wolt’s couriers operate under conditions t...| Helsinki Times
New figures from the Finnish Immigration Service show that Estonia leads the nationality breakdown of foreign nationals ordered to leave Finland due to criminal convictions this year. Between January and July 2025, Migri issued 136 deportation decisions based on criminal grounds. Of these, 23 involved Estonian citizens, the highest of any nationality. Iraq and Russia followed, with 18 deportation decisions each. Other nationalities in the top group included Albania, Iran, Somalia, Afghanistan...| Helsinki Times
Finnish police and the Defence Forces are conducting an extended search operation at a private residence in the Voikkaa district of Kouvola. The operation has continued for over a week and is connected to an ongoing criminal investigation, according to the Southeast Finland Police Department. According to Ilta-Sanomat, authorities are searching the property for firearms and explosives.| Helsinki Times
