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Country in the spotlight - Finland

Finland’s SME sector experienced another challenging year in 2024, with declines across all main indicators. SME employment fell by -2.3%, following a drop already observed in 2023, while real value added decreased by -1.7%, a milder contraction than the -3.2% registered the previous year. All size classes recorded declines, though micro enterprises proved the most resilient, showing the smallest reductions in both employment and value added. European Commission (2025). SME Country Fact Sheet – Finland 2025.

Looking ahead to 2025, Finland’s SMEs are expected to stabilise. Employment is forecasted to remain virtually unchanged at -0.1%, while real value added is projected to grow by 0.7%. Micro enterprises are set to lead this recovery with growth exceeding 0.9%, although the strongest increases are expected among large enterprises, which may post gains of 1.2% in employment and 1.8% in value added. Business sentiment is also cautiously improving, supported by lower inflation and interest rates. SME Barometer – Spring 2025 (PK-Barometri – Kevät 2025)

Among Finland’s 14 industrial ecosystems, Tourism was the only one to avoid contraction in 2024, achieving 0.9% growth in SME employment and a modest 0.2% rise in real value added, ranking among the top performers alongside Retail, Digital, and Cultural and Creative Industries. In contrast, the Energy Intensive Industries ecosystem is expected to underperform again in 2025, with declines of -1.9% in SME employment and -1.4% in real value added — marking its fourth consecutive year of recession. European Commission (2025). SME Country Fact Sheet – Finland 2025.

Finland and the EYE programme

There are currently no local contact points active in Finland. Remember: interested Finland-based entrepreneurs can still participate by choosing an IO active in any other participating country! Tap into that potential! It is recommended, however, to select an IO in a nearby country, as this may facilitate more punctual and hands-on support if needed.

 

IOs that receive applications from entrepreneurs based in a country without IO are warmly encouraged to pay special attention to the ID verification of the applicant, as per the Quality Manual rules. 

 

 

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