Analysis of Labour-Based Immigration to Finland and Its Regions

The study examined labour-based immigration to Finland and different regions of the country using statistics on residence permits and extended residence permits. The analysis was based on an extensive dataset on residence permits commissioned from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri).

The study first provided a high-level overview of the regional distribution of work-based residence permits, based on the municipality of employment. The distribution was examined at different regional levels and in relation to the number of jobs in each area.

The regional analysis was then expanded by examining the distribution of residence permits by industry and grounds for processing, with particular attention to specialists and highly skilled specialists, as well as by analysing the applicants’ countries of origin.

Extended residence permits were subsequently examined in a similar manner and compared with first-time residence permits. Seasonal work permits were also analysed separately.

The study identified substantial regional differences in the significance and sectoral distribution of labour-based immigration. The findings indicate that work-based residence permits for specialists and highly skilled specialists are concentrated particularly in Uusimaa, while in other parts of Finland, work-based residence permits are more strongly concentrated in occupations involving routine and manual work and in specific industries. The number of residence permits relative to population size and the number of jobs also varies significantly between regions.

The results were reported in the study, and an Excel-based analytical tool was developed from the underlying data for the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities (Kuntaliitto), enabling more detailed regional analyses.