Finnish Defence Forces faces burnout crisis as soldiers take undisclosed sick leave

A Finnish public broadcaster Yle investigation has revealed that soldiers in the Finnish Defence Forces are suffering from burnout due to excessive workloads, leading to undisclosed sick leave. The chair of Parliament’s Defence Committee has called for urgent reforms to working conditions and increased recruitment.

Heikki Autto (National Coalition Party), who leads the Defence Committee, stated that while the military’s high workload is not surprising, the situation must be addressed by hiring more personnel and improving working conditions. He emphasised that no one “is a machine” and that workloads must remain reasonable, even in critical defence roles.

“It’s almost a miracle that exhaustion issues aren’t even more widespread,” Autto told Yle, noting that soldiers’ strong motivation and sense of purpose help them cope. He stressed that Finland’s defence relies on a broad reserve system and well-trained troops, leaving no room for structural weaknesses.

The Defence Forces currently face a shortage of around 700 non-commissioned officers and 500 officers, despite personnel numbers rising from 7,800 in 2016 to over 8,900 last year. Autto urged that as defence spending increases, a traditional principle—allocating roughly one-third of funds to personnel, operations, and procurements—should guide resource distribution.

A key demand from military unions is the reform of a 1970 law governing soldiers’ working hours. During exercises, shifts can stretch to 18 hours, yet only eight are officially recorded as work time. The Defence Committee has called for immediate collaboration with staff organisations to update the legislation, ensuring it supports training, readiness, and international obligations.

Autto dismissed concerns that discussing burnout could undermine Finland’s defence, arguing that transparency is vital for maintaining the military’s appeal as an employer. “The most important thing is attracting young Finns to military careers,” he said, adding that a larger workforce would help balance workloads.