Employment in rural areas

In recent years the employment has improved or remained unchanged in all areas classified according to population density both in Finland and EU areas. There was a similar trend in groups of people of 15–64 years and people of 20–64 years. Among the group of people of 20–64 years, the employment rate is approximately 80 per cent in thinly populated areas, and 78 in intermediate and 77 densely populated areas in 2023. The average employment rate in all areas among this age group was 78 per cent and that among people of 15–64 years is 74 per cent. In EU areas, these rates were 75 and 70 per cent respectively. The employment rate of women in areas with a different population density in Finland was approximately 0.2 per cent lower than among men, while the difference was about 10 per cent in the EU.

In Finland, the number of employed people has decreased in both age groups in thinly populated areas, while it has increased in intermediate and densely populated areas. The population has decreased in these age groups in thinly populated and intermediate areas, while increased in densely populated areas.

This indicator serves to analyse the regional and sector-specific development of employment. This indicator presents the employment rate among people of 15–64 and 20–64 years of age.

Eurostat database is the source of the figures.

The indicator is a common CAP plan impact indicator I.24 as set out in regulation (EU) 2021/2115 , Annex I. It is used in all Member States.

The indicator will next be updated in autumn 2025.