Harsh economic pressure is casting a shadow over Finland, long celebrated as the world’s happiest country, yet many Finns continue to show resilience. Among them is 33-year-old Juho-Pekka Palomaa, who recently marked 1,000 days of unemployment with a peaceful bring-your-own-food protest on the steps of parliament.
Despite submitting hundreds of applications and completing 11 unsuccessful interviews, he says Finland’s social safety net has helped him maintain a sense of stability during his long jobless stretch, even as he feels increasingly powerless to change his situation.
Finland retained its title as the world’s happiest nation for the eighth consecutive year in the annual World Happiness Report, even as it faces mounting economic challenges. The country is grappling with stagnating growth, rising unemployment, and deteriorating public finances.
An ageing population is driving up social costs, prompting the government to trim parts of the welfare system, including unemployment and housing benefits. However, politically sensitive pensions remain untouched, a point of frustration for many unemployed citizens.
The Finnish economy has struggled since Nokia’s phone business collapsed in 2014, and sanctions on Russia have further hit exports and tourism.
With unemployment nearing 10%, and youth unemployment more than double that rate, the government has moved to make hiring and firing easier in hopes of boosting job creation. Critics argue these austerity measures may deepen pessimism and worsen economic pressures.
Despite the economic turmoil, experts say happiness in Finland is driven more by resilience, strong social support, and community cohesion than by financial circumstances. Survey data for next year shows little change in Finns’ self-reported happiness.
For Palomaa, solace comes from a volunteer-run seaside community sauna, where he feels equality and connection. On his 1,000th day without work, he chose to create a moment of positivity, sharing pastries in the rain and embracing a spirit of perseverance.
