The direct employment in Finland's tourism sector has shown considerable fluctuations over the past decade. From a stable 5.5% of total employment from 2013 to 2014, there was a slight increase in 2015. The value dropped slightly in 2016 but rebounded by 2019 to 5.8%. The industry was significantly impacted in 2020, with employment dropping to 4.9%, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A recovery followed, with employment rising to 5.4% in 2021 and further to 5.8% in 2022. In 2023, it stood at 6.0%, signaling robust recovery trends and a positive outlook.
Year-on-year variation highlights the sharp decline of 15.52% in 2020 and subsequent recoveries of 10.2% in 2021 and 7.41% in 2022. The most recent annual increase in tourism employment was 3.45% in 2023. The five-year CAGR from 2018 to 2023 was 1.39%, demonstrating average annual growth. Forecasts predict further growth, with employment expected to reach 6.4% by 2028 and a five-year CAGR forecast of 0.96%, resulting in a five-year growth rate of 4.92%.
Future trends to watch for include the potential impact of geopolitical changes, environmental sustainability initiatives, and technological advancements in the tourism industry. The sector's ability to adapt to changing consumer behaviors and continue recovering from global disruptions will be key drivers of future employment growth.
