Have you hidden your unemployment from loved ones? Finnish broadcaster Yle seeks personal stories

Finnish public broadcaster Yle is calling for personal accounts from people who have concealed their unemployment from friends or family. The appeal follows rising unemployment figures in Finland, where many report feelings of shame tied to joblessness.

According to Statistics Finland’s labour force survey, there were 312,000 unemployed people aged 15–74 in February this year—an increase of 49,000 compared to the same period last year. Beyond financial strain, unemployment often affects mental well-being, with some experiencing shame that may hinder rather than motivate job searches.

Yle invites those who have hidden their unemployment to share their experiences for an upcoming feature. Responses will not be published without prior consent from participants.

Earlier reports by Yle have highlighted the psychological toll of long-term unemployment, with some individuals describing their situation as “terrible” after years without work. Experts have noted that Finland’s over 320,000 unemployed face significant mental health challenges.