The umbrella organization Akava has announced a minor decline in its membership figures for the year 2025, with the total dropping to 619,090 members, a decrease of 4,834 or 0.8% from the previous year. The report highlights that while overall membership has slightly decreased, the number of student members has risen by 0.4%, totaling 127,914. This growth in student membership offers a silver lining amid the overall dip in numbers.

Akava's chairperson, Maria Löfgren, expressed concern over the decline, noting it marks the first drop in membership since 2018. She emphasized that the decrease in the number of paying members was unchanged, which could be attributed to the ending of tax deductions for union fees, a change she suggests may be influencing membership decisions for the organization. Löfgren maintains a cautiously optimistic outlook, given the small magnitude of the decline and the positive trend in student membership.

The implications of Akava's report highlight the challenging landscape for trade unions in Finland, especially in light of governmental policy changes that could deter membership growth. While the organization acknowledges the impact of fiscal policy on membership decisions, it also aims to strengthen its appeal to potential new members, particularly students who are entering the workforce. The ongoing adjustments and strategies to combat these membership trends will be crucial for Akava moving forward, as it seeks to navigate the evolving labor market and its membership base.