Real GDP growth is gathering momentum
GDP per capita and employment rate are below the other Nordics
GDP per capita gaps reflect both productivity and labour utilisation differences
Unemployment remains high
Main export sectors and destinations
Productivity needs a boost
Finns enjoy a high quality of life
Income inequality is low and stable
Gender inequalities persist
Environmental performance is strong
The banking system shows some vulnerabilities (2017 Q3 or latest)
Household debt is moderate and housing prices are broadly stable
The government deficit persists but debt is contained
Health reform and higher employment would help stabilise debt
Ageing is increasingly weighing on public finances
The tax burden is among the highest in the OECD
Social spending is not as high in international comparison when private social spending and taxation of benefit income are taken into account
Tax revenue from recurrent taxes on immovable property is still relatively low
VAT rates are high but efficiency is slightly below average
Corporate tax rate and revenue are low
Corporate tax revenue has so far held up relatively well despite sharp tax rate cuts
The labour market has been hard hit by crises
Compared to other Nordics, employment is low across gender and age
The tax wedge on labour remains high
The world of work is changing
A basic income would alter the income distribution
Net income and work incentives in the current system
Exit rates spike immediately before unemployment benefit expiry
Reforms to child-related fees and benefits would improve work incentives for second earners
Shortening the unemployment tunnel increases employment substantially
Rising unemployment and budget cuts have put the employment service under strain