Gender Disparity in Unemployment Trends

Unemployment rates in Finland consistently show a higher impact on males compared to females over the past decade. In the most recent year, 2023, the unemployment rate for males was 7.9%, while for females it was significantly lower at 6.5%. This trend of higher male unemployment has been observed each year from 2013 through 2023, highlighting a consistent gender gap in joblessness.

Highest Unemployment Rates Recorded in 2015

The peak of unemployment for both genders over the last decade was observed in 2015. During this year, the male unemployment rate reached its highest at 10.2%, and the female rate was also elevated at 8.6%. These figures represent the maximum levels of unemployment encountered by both genders, indicating a particularly challenging economic climate during that period.

Recent Trends and Recovery

From 2015 to 2023, there has been a noticeable trend of decreasing unemployment rates, suggesting a recovery from the highs experienced in the mid-2010s. By 2023, the unemployment rates dropped to 7.9% for males and 6.5% for females from their 2015 peaks of 10.2% and 8.6% respectively. This decline of about 2.3 percentage points for males and 2.1 percentage points for females over eight years marks a gradual improvement in the job market for both genders.

Analysis of Long-term Unemployment Trends

Over the span from 2013 to 2023, male unemployment rates demonstrated more fluctuation and generally higher rates compared to females. The unemployment rate for males decreased from 9.1% in 2013 to 7.9% in 2023, showing a decline but with rates remaining relatively high. Female unemployment followed a similar downward trend from 7.5% in 2013 to 6.5% in 2023. This data underlines a slow but steady improvement in unemployment for both genders over the last decade.

Year-over-Year Changes in Unemployment Rates

The data reveals variable annual changes in unemployment rates, with some years experiencing slight increases and others seeing decreases. For example, from 2016 to 2017, the unemployment rate for males saw a notable drop from 9.4% to 9.1%, while the female rate decreased from 8.4% to 8.3%. Conversely, from 2019 to 2020, both genders experienced increases in their unemployment rates, with males rising from 7.3% to 8.1% and females from 6.2% to 7.4%, possibly indicating economic downturns or shifts impacting employment.