In a rather somber note marking the commencement of the week, business daily Kauppalehti casts a spotlight on the prevailing apprehensions of unemployment in Finland. Startlingly, a significant 43 percent of consumers anticipate a rise in unemployment within the nation.
Notably, this statistic has undergone a substantial escalation from July when 32 percent held the belief of an impending increase in unemployment. Citing data sourced from Statistics Finland, Kauppalehti underscores this shift, raising concerns about the employment landscape.
It is noteworthy, however, that while consumer sentiment regarding Finland’s unemployment situation has experienced a dip in August, it still hovers around the long-term average level—a key observation highlighted by the national statistical authority.
In the realm of consumer behavior, an inclination towards sizeable household purchases appears to be waning this month. A mere nine percent of consumers express confidence in the present being an opportune time for significant expenditures.
Turning the spotlight onto youth mental health, Helsingin Sanomat delves into the confluence of the pandemic and the ubiquitous presence of smartphones. While the pandemic’s adverse impact on the mental well-being of young individuals has been extensively studied, HS draws attention to a pivotal finding—the surge in youth mental health challenges commenced around 2010, a period coinciding with the heightened usage of smartphones by teenagers.
A decade ago, approximately 19,000 individuals aged 16 to 34 received sickness allowance due to mental health-related issues. By the year 2022, this number had burgeoned to surpass 38,000—a stark illustration of the escalating concerns.
Nevertheless, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) elucidates that the trajectory of these challenges began its course even before smartphones became a ubiquitous presence. THL points to existing trends in decreased physical activity prior to the advent of smartphones as a crucial precursor.
Amidst these health-oriented discussions, Helsingin Sanomat draws attention to a noteworthy transformation. A century ago, Finland stood as a relatively impoverished nation with a population of shorter stature compared to its Nordic counterparts.
Historical estimations suggest that the average height of Finnish women hovered around 154 centimeters, while men stood at approximately 168 centimeters. Nutritional deficiencies and prevalent illnesses during childhood primarily contributed to this stunted growth pattern.
Remarkably, the stature of Finns experienced a remarkable upsurge of over ten centimeters between 1896 and 1996. This transformation was attributed to numerous factors, marking a significant shift over the years.
Jaakko Kaprio, a genetic epidemiologist, contends that while the progression has been notable, Finland might be approaching its genetic zenith in terms of height. Highlighting the evolving demographic, HS underlines the fascinating parity between Finns and Swedes born in 1996—their average heights now closely aligned. Women from both nations measure nearly 166 centimeters tall, while men from both Finland and Sweden stand at an impressive 180 centimeters.
