Young women surpass young men in unemployment for the first time since 2009

Young women in Finland now face higher unemployment rates than young men for the first time in 15 years, according to new data reported by Yle. The shift comes as recent graduates struggle to secure jobs, with many reporting growing desperation after months of fruitless applications.

Taru Kyllönen, 24, graduated last year with a degree in media studies but has been unemployed since the turn of the year. She has sent over 50 job applications—mostly receiving direct rejections. While she has been called to a few interviews, the lack of progress has left her increasingly discouraged.

“Little by little, I’m starting to wonder if I can keep applying,” Kyllönen said. “Every response is just another rejection. It’s making me feel hopeless.”

Her experience reflects broader trends. Statistics Finland reports that unemployment among young women rose more sharply in 2025 than in any other age group, surpassing young men’s unemployment for the first time since 2009. Historically, young men in this demographic have faced higher joblessness, but the situation has now reversed—not because male unemployment has fallen, but because female unemployment has climbed.

Job losses in care and retail sectors drive the increase
The decline in social and healthcare sector jobs—a field where 80% of young workers are women—has significantly contributed to the rise in female unemployment, according to Pertti Taskinen, chief actuary at Statistics Finland. Retail sector job cuts have also affected both young men and women.

Taskinen notes that young workers are particularly vulnerable to economic downturns. “When the economy weakens, they’re the first to struggle finding jobs,” he said. This was evident last summer when seasonal work opportunities dried up, leaving fewer young people employed than usual.

Employers demand experience from new graduates
Kyllönen believes her lack of work history is a major barrier. “Many employers expect years of experience, even for entry-level roles,” she said. The media industry, her chosen field, has also seen layoffs, putting her in competition with more experienced professionals now seeking the same jobs.

The pandemic further disrupted her career prospects, limiting internship and part-time work opportunities during her studies. While she worked summer jobs in media and occasional cleaning roles, the current job market offers little stability.

Though she has considered switching fields, Kyllönen is reluctant to pursue another degree after four years of study. “I’d rather work in the profession I trained for,” she said.