Feb 25 • 09:43 UTC 🇫🇮 Finland Iltalehti

Chilling estimates from economists about upcoming cuts: 'Vicious circle'

Economists provide alarming forecasts regarding necessary budget cuts in Finland, reflecting skepticism about government growth projections and fiscal strategies.

A parliamentary working group in Finland has released an interim report focused on the adjustment of public finances, suggesting budget cuts between 8 to 11 billion euros in the upcoming election term. This significant reduction is aimed at restructuring the national economy to ensure fiscal compliance and sustainability. In light of these projected cuts, there is considerable debate among economists about the feasibility and assumptions behind the government's economic growth outlook, which anticipates an average growth rate of 1.51% annually from 2027 to 2033.

Prominent economists are expressing doubts regarding the government's optimistic expectations, indicating that factors such as inflation and economic demand have not shown signs of improvement. Patrizio Lainá, chief economist at SAK, referred to the growth forecast as "very optimistic," especially considering the current inflation rate is almost zero. He argues that without a substantial increase in economic demand, the anticipated fiscal adjustments will likely hinder economic growth rather than stimulate it, exacerbating the fiscal constraints and leading to a 'vicious circle' for the economy of Finland.

The commentary from economists such as Lainá highlights a broader concern regarding the implications of austerity measures on long-term economic health. As Finland navigates these challenging fiscal waters, the viability of its growth assumptions comes into question, igniting discussions on the potential need for revised economic strategies. The feedback from economic analysts will be critical as the government prepares its policies ahead of the elections, balancing fiscal responsibility with the necessity to encourage economic recovery.

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