Salaries Have Increased, Future Outlook Has Weakened
Respondents’ salary levels have increased, and based on the data there has been no deterioration in the quality of employment. However, the weakened economic and labour market situation is reflected to some extent in declining confidence about the future.
Loimu’s annual labour market survey was conducted in 2025 for the first time entirely also in English. A total of 3,348 responses were received, and the respondent profile corresponded well to the overall membership structure.
The average salary of all respondents was €4,995, the median was €4,740. A majority, 75% of responded that their total monthly earnings had increased. Of them, 79% reported that their pay increase was based on a collectively agreed general pay rise stipulated in the collective agreement and applied equally to everyone. 10% had received a pay increase based on the collective agreement but decided by the employer, i.e. a so-called local increment. 18% had received an increase based on individual performance, and for 9% a move to new duties or a new position had resulted in higher pay. These respondent groups are not mutually exclusive, and there is also overlap between them.
Erosion of Confidence in the Future
The survey has repeatedly measured members’ confidence in the future by asking respondents to assess both the future prospects of their workplace and their own situation at work. When asked to evaluate what the situation at their workplace will be like in the near future, only 59% considered it stable or fairly stable. In 2024, the corresponding figure was 64%.
Respondents assessed their own situation somewhat more positively: 67% considered it stable or fairly stable. However, this was already a significant decline compared to the previous year, when the corresponding figure in 2024 was 80%.
From year to year, it has been typical for respondents to view their own position as more stable than the overall outlook for their workplace, which is a positive sign. However, both assessments have weakened considerably in recent years.
Differences in Salary Discussions Between Language Groups
A total of 130 Loimu members responded in English. Of them, only 5% reported that they regularly discuss their salary with their supervisor, compared to 17% among Finnish-language respondents. A significant difference was also observed among those who reported never discussing their salary. Among Finnish-language respondents, 25% stated that they never discuss their salary, compared to as many as 33% of English-language respondents.
The difference was reversed in terms of initiative: among English-language respondents, 53% reported that the discussion had taken place at their own initiative and 46% at the employer’s initiative, whereas the corresponding figures for Finnish-language respondents were 41% and 52%.
More results will be published in the next issue of Loimu magazine.
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