According to the economic index by Ilmarinen, the number of employees in Finnish companies has shown a continuous decline for the third consecutive year. The report notes a 0.6% decrease in January, compared to the same month last year, highlighting a worrying trend within the labor market. Also, the data indicates that December saw a 0.5% reduction in employee numbers compared to the previous year, continuing the downward spiral.

Among various sectors, the transportation industry experienced growth, with an increase of over two percent in employee numbers. This provides a glimmer of hope in an otherwise troubling labor landscape. In contrast, significant losses in employee numbers were noted particularly in the social and health services, construction, and communication and IT sectors, indicating that not all industries are faring equally in the current economic climate.

Ilmarinen's economic index provides insight into changes affecting over 50,000 companies and more than half a million employees. This level of analysis is crucial for understanding the broader economic trends in Finland, particularly as labor market fluctuations can have substantial impacts on economic stability and consumer confidence.