Heidi Wahlberg, a 42-year-old from Imatra, Finland, has struggled to find a job for the past three years. Previously employed as a corporate salesperson for the junior ice hockey club Imatran Ketterä in 2023, she highlights the limited opportunities available for job seekers in the area. During a video discussion, Wahlberg elaborates on the reasons behind her challenging job search, reflecting a broader trend affecting many in her community.

Imatra is experiencing alarmingly high unemployment rates, with nearly one in five working-age residents unemployed as of late December. The municipality had only 52 job vacancies reported, while the number of unemployed job seekers reached 1,960. This situation positions Imatra as the largest municipality with the highest unemployment rates in Finland, indicating significant economic challenges faced by its inhabitants, which pertain to various sectors.

The reasons for the high unemployment figures in Imatra are diverse and multi-faceted. The job market has been tight across all industries, with a particularly pronounced impact on service and sales positions. As the number of unemployed individuals continues to rise, community leaders and policymakers are urged to explore strategic interventions to stimulate job creation and alleviate the difficulties faced by residents like Wahlberg.