Finland business group calls for rise in work migration

Finland’s main business lobby group has called for a sharp increase in work-based immigration, warning that labour shortages risk slowing economic growth as the country’s population ages.

The Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) said Finland needs at least 45,000 net work-based migrants each year to meet demand from employers and support long-term growth.

Its director Ilkka Oksala said declining birth rates and a weakening dependency ratio are already affecting the labour market.