TE services reform 2024: Finland to have 45 employment areas

On 22 February 2024, the Government made a decision on four employment areas. All future employment areas are now known.

The Government decisions concerned the employment areas of Central Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia, Tampere and Suupohja. 

The decisions are an important milestone in transferring the responsibility for organising employment services from central government to municipalities. 

Finland will have 45 employment areas or municipalities that will be responsible for organising employment services from 1 January 2025. 

Of the total number of municipalities,

• 39 will organise employment services using the host municipality model
• 4 will organise employment services themselves (Lahti, Kouvola, Helsinki, Vantaa)
• 2 will organise employment services using the joint municipal authority model (Employment areas of Suupohja and Kymppi)

Employment and economic development services (TE services) will be transferred to municipalities on 1 January 2025. The reform aims to create a service structure that will contribute to rapid employment of jobseekers and increase the productivity, availability, effectiveness and diversity of employment and business services. The reform will take into account equal access to services.

Inquiries: 
Veera Svahn, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 295 047 321 (questions to the Minister of Employment) 
Jenni Wessman, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7034