Finland’s economy expanded by 0.2 per cent in 2025, according to updated data released by Statistics Finland on Friday, with growth in the final quarter falling short of earlier estimates.

Seasonally adjusted gross domestic product rose by 0.4 per cent between October and December compared with the previous quarter. Initial figures published in January had indicated quarterly growth of 0.6 per cent.

Statistics Finland said investment and private consumption drove the increase in the final quarter.

Total demand rose by 0.2 per cent compared with July to September.

Private consumption expanded in the last three months of the year at the same pace as in the previous quarter. Spending on durable goods returned to growth between October and December. Consumption of semi-durable goods, including clothing and footwear, increased throughout the year. Overall consumption still declined in 2025.

The annual growth figure of 0.2 per cent marked a return to expansion after earlier contractions. Statistics Finland noted that the positive annual figure reflected the low level of output at the start of 2024. Gross domestic product had last recorded quarterly growth in July to September 2024 before resuming expansion at the end of 2025.

Forecasts published this year place Finland’s economic growth between 1.0 and 1.5 per cent for 2026 and between 1.5 and 2.0 per cent for 2027. Economists expect household consumption, investment and foreign trade to support expansion.

Industrial output showed variation across sectors during 2025. Forest industry output recorded strong growth in the first quarter, while the chemical industry posted solid figures in the second quarter. Both sectors contracted in the third quarter, alongside the metal industry. In the final quarter, metal and chemical industries returned to growth.

Construction remained subdued through much of the year. Output rose slightly in the second quarter before contracting again between July and September. Building construction turned positive in the final quarter, though total construction output remained below the level recorded a year earlier.

Trade sectors reported weak performance across the year. Among other services, information and communication expanded, as did real estate activities and business services.

HT