Press releases 1997
31 December 1997
Growth in output continued in October
The volume of total output increased by 5.4 per cent in the year to October. The Monthly Indicator of Total Output of Statistics Finland shows that output went up in all main sections of industry. Apart from being upheld by exports, growth also continued to be sustained by domestic demand, reflected in rapid increases of output in construction, trade and commerce, as well as transportation.
23 December, 1997
Strong growth of GDP continues in the third quarter
Finland's gross domestic product for the July-September period grew by 6 per cent, having grown in the first six months of the year by 5 per cent compared to the corresponding period in 1996. In the January to September period, Finland's gross domestic product has grown by a total of 5.4 per cent, as indicated by the preliminary data on National Accounts compiled by Statistics Finland.
18 December 1997
Export and import prices fall by half a per cent within a month
According to Statistics Finland, both export and import prices fell by half a per cent from October to November. Export prices fell mainly due to lower prices of sawn timber, while the drop in import prices was attributable to lower prices of agricultural products, metal ore and base metals.
15 December 1997
Inflation accelerated slightly in November
According to Statistics Finland's consumer price index, consumer prices were up by 1.9 per cent in the year to November. The rate of inflation continued to accelerate slightly, having been 1.7 per cent in October. In the October to November period, prices fell by 0.1 per cent.
15 December 1997
Strong growth in industrial output continues in October
After a slight dip in September, growth in industrial output picked up again its prolonged upward trend in October. According to Statistics Finland's index per working day, output increased by 6.6 per cent compared to October 1995. Had output in energy supply not fallen by 5.8 per cent, the increase would have been even bigger.
11 December 1997
Higher employment rate in the services sector
According to the Labour Survey of Statistics Finland, there were 1 823 000 wage earners in November, which is a good 30 000 more than the year before. Jobs increased most in the public and other services, and in the trade sectors.
28 November 1997
Domestic demand upholds growth in output in September
Total output was up by 5.7 per cent in the year to September. The Monthly Indicator of Total Output of Statistics Finland indicates that output increased in all branches of industry. Growth was sustained in particular by domestic demand, manifested in a rapid increase in construction, trade and commerce, and transportation.
20 November 1997
Continued improvement in employment in October
According to the Statistics Finland Labour Force Survey, Finland had 1 832 000 persons in employment in October, i.e. a good 20 000 more than a year before. The increase in jobs was most marked in construction and transport and in the county of Uusimaa.
18 November 1997
Higher prices of paper products raise export prices
According to Statistics Finland, export prices rose 1.7 per cent from September to October. This was due mainly to the close on five per cent rise in the prices of paper and paperboard, but also of sawn timber and pulp.
17 November 1997
Growth in industrial output slowed down to 4.3 per cent in September
Growth in industrial output slowed down in September. According to Statistics Finland's index per working day, output in September was 4.3 per cent higher than one year previously. The slowdown is due in part to the high output level recorded in September last year, maintenance shutdowns in oil refining, the increase in electricity imports and reduced energy consumption as a result of the warm weather in September.
14 November 1997
Consumer prices up by 1.7 per cent over the year
Statistics Finland's consumer price index indicated an increase of 1.7 per cent in consumer prices in the year to October. The inflation rate was slightly up on the figure for September, when the year-on-year increase in consumer prices was 1.6 per cent. From September to October the increase in prices amounted to 0.3 per cent.
31 October 1997
Slight slowdown in output growth in August
Total output was up by 5.4 per cent in the year to August as indicated by the Monthly Indicator of Total Output calculated by Statistics Finland. Growth slowed down from July, when output grew by 7.8 per cent on the year before. However, the fast growth rate in July was partly due to the differences in the timing of holidays and shut-downs for repairs in manufacturing this year and last year.
23 October 1997
Continued improvement in Employment in September
According to the Labour force Survey of Statistics Finland there were 1 841 000 wage earners in September, which is 60 000 more than a year ago. Employment improved the most in the metal industry, in housing construction, and in public and other services.
17 October 1997
Year-on rise of nearly one per cent in export prices
Export prices rose 0.9 per cent in the year to September, having still displayed a minus figure in July. This information can be gathered from the Producer Price Indices of Statistics Finland.
15 October 1997
Increased industrial output in the summer
Industrial output as calculated per working day increased by 8.2 per cent in August compared to the corresponding period of last year, Statistics Finland figures indicate. Output was up in several main industrial sectors.
15 October 1997
Inflation remains at 1.6 per cent
Consumer prices rose by 1.6 per cent in the year to September, as indicated by the Consumer Price Index of Statistics Finland. From August to September the rise in prices was 0.2 per cent. Both the year-on-year and monthly change remained the same as in August.
30 September 1997
Faster growth in output in
July
Total output was up by 7.8 per cent in the year to July. Growth accelerated, with output increasing by 6.2 per cent in June compared to the year before. After adjustment for seasonal variation, output in July was 0.8 per cent higher than in June. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Monthly Indicator of Total Output.
25 September 1997
Higher employment rate in August
According to the Labour Force Survey of Statistics Finland there were 1 868 000 wage earners in August, which is a good 40 000 more than the year before. Employment improved the most in the processing industries, mainly in the metal industry. Employment improved in the provinces of Uusimaa, Turku and Pori, and Häme.
23 September 1997
GDP up by 6.2 per cent in second quarter of 1997
Finland's gross domestic product for the April-June quarter increased by 6.2 per cent on the figure for the corresponding period in 1996. During the first quarter of 1997 the annual rate of growth was 3.4 per cent. With Easter celebrated at an earlier date than in 1996, the number of working days in the second quarter of 1997 was two more and in the first quarter of 1997 four less than in the corresponding periods one year previously. Preliminary data on National Accounts compiled by Statistics Finland indicate an increase in GDP of 4.8 per cent from the early part of 1996 to the early part of 1997.
18 September 1997
Export prices up by 1.1 per cent in August
Export prices rose by 1.1 per cent from July to August, the increase being attributable to the rise in the price of pulp, oil products, timber, and paper and paperboard. This information can be gathered from the Export Price Index of Statistics Finland.
15 September 1997
Strong growth in industrial output continues in July
According to the index per working day of Statistics Finland, industrial output grew by 8.2 per cent in the January to July period compared to the corresponding period of last year. Output was up in nearly all main sectors of the manufacturing industry.
Inflation rises to 1.6 per cent in August
Consumer prices rose by 1.6 per cent in the year to August, as indicated by the Consumer Price Index of Statistics Finland. The rate of inflation accelerated for it was at 1.2 per cent in July. From July to August the increase in prices amounted to 0.2 per cent. Since December 1996 the price level has risen by 1.5 per cent.
29 August 1997
Brisk growth in total output continued in June
Total output was up by 6.6 per cent in the year to June. In May output grew by 5 per cent on the preceding year. After adjustment for seasonal variation, output in June was 0.5 per cent higher than in May. The data are based on Statistics Finland's Monthly Indicator of Total Output.
28 August 1997
Improved employment in services in July
According to the Labour Force Survey of Statistics Finland there were 1 963 000 wage earners in July, which is a good 40 000 more than the year before. Employment improved the most in the service and construction sectors.
18 August 1997
Import prices up nearly oneandahalf per cent
Import prices rose by 1.4 per cent from June to July, the increase being attributable mainly to the rise in price of crude oil, but also to that in basic metals, basic chemicals, oil products, vehicles and printed products. In the year to July, import prices have risen oneandahalf per cent. This information can be gathered from the Import Price Index of Statistics Finland.
15 August 1997
Brisk increase in industrial output continues
Industrial output grew by 6.6 per cent in the year to June according to the index per working day of Statistics Finland. Growth in output was sustained by the increased manufacture of paper, construction materials and electrical products.
Inflation at 1.2 per cent in July
No change was recorded in consumer prices between June and July. In the year to July, however, there was a 1.2 per cent rise in prices. This information can be gathered from the Consumer Price Index of Statistics Finland.
31 July 1997
Continued growth in total output in May
Total output was up by 5 per cent in the year to May. After adjustment for seasonal variation, output in May was up by 0.4 per cent from April. In April output grew by 8 per cent compared to the year before, as indicated by the Monthly Indicator of Total Output compiled by Statistics Finland.
24 July 1997
Positive employment trend in June
According to the Labour Force Survey of Statistics Finland there were 1 983 000 wage earners in June, which is 65 000 more than the year before. The number of wage earners increased in all industries except transport and communications. Employment improved the most in the field of construction.
18 July 1997
Import prices down by 0.3 per cent in June
Import prices dropped by 0.3 per cent from May to June, the reduction being attributable mainly to the fall in the price of crude oil. In the year to June import prices have risen however by 0.2 per cent. This information can be gathered from the Import Price Index of Statistics Finland.
15 July 1997
Rapid growth in industrial output in May
Industrial output grew by 6.1 per cent in the year to May, the index per working day of Statistics Finland indicates. The growth in output was mainly sustained by the paper industry and the construction material industry. Output in the paper industry rose by 19.5 per cent and that in the construction material industry by 20.7 per cent.
15 July 1997
Inflation at 1.2 per cent in June
Consumer prices were up by 1.2 per cent in the year to June. This is a slight increase from the 1.0 per cent inflation rate in May. From May to June the increase in prices amounted to 0.2 per cent. This appears from Statistics Finland´s Consumer Price Index.
Accelerated growth in total output in April
Total output was up by 8 per cent in the year to April. After adjustment for seasonal variation, output in April was 0.5 per cent higher than in March. In March output rose by 5.9 per cent compared to the year before. The growth in output was partly due to the fact that there were two working days more in April of 1997 than in April of 1996. The data are based on Statistics Finland's monthly indicator of total output.
26 June 1997
Job growth in manufacturing and construction
According to the Labour Force Survey of Statistics Finland there were 1 855 000 wage earners in May, which is some 60 000 more than the year before. The number of wage earners increased in all industries, the rise being the highest in manufacturing and construction.
24 June 1997
GDP up by four per cent in first quarter of 1997
Finland's gross domestic product for the January-March quarter grew by four per cent on the figure for the corresponding period in 1996, as indicated by the preliminary data on National Accounts compiled by Statistics Finland. Adjusted for seasonal variation GDP decreased by 0.4 per cent in the first quarter compared to the previous quarter.
15 May 1997
Import prices up by 1.3 per cent in May
Import prices rose by 1.3 per cent from April to May, the rise being attributable mainly to more expensive crude oil, coffee beans and metallic ores. In the year to May import prices have risen by 0.5 per cent. This information can be gathered from the Import Price Index of Statistics Finland.
Rapid growth in industrial output continues in April
Industrial output grew by 7.9 per cent in the year to April, the index per working day of Statistics Finland indicates. The strong growth in output was sustained by the metal industry and the wood and paper industry. Output in the metal industry rose by almost 11 per cent and that in the wood and paper industry by 13.5 per cent.
Inflation at 1.0 per cent in May
Consumer prices rose by 1.0 per cent in the year to May. From April to May the rise in prices amounted to 0.2 per cent.
30 May 1997
Growth in total output continued in March
Total output was 5.9 per cent higher in the year to March. After adjustment for seasonal variation, output in March was up by 0.4 per cent from February. In February output increased by 4.7 per cent compared to the year before. Output in March continued to grow in all branches of industry. The data are indicated by Statistics Finland's monthly indicator of total output.
29 May 1997
According to the Labour Force Survey of Statistics Finland there were 1 797 000 wage earners in April, about 10 000 more than a year ago. This year it is in fact worth estimating the employment trend primarily according to the changes in number of wage earners because the statistical principles of the European Union that were adopted at the beginning of this year make it difficult to compare in particular the number of entrepreneurs to those of the year before. The figures in the case of entrepreneurs will be fully comparable from the beginning of next year again, when statistics compiled according to the new practice will have been collected for a whole year.
29 May 1997
Profitability of big business on the good performance level of 1994
The profitability of large industrial enterprises declined last year compared to the peak year of 1995, but was still on a par with the good performance of 1994. The decline was attributable to lower prices and reduced deliveries in the forest industry as well as to increased costs in the metal industry. The results for 1996 were, however, sufficient to cover debt instalments, giving improved equity ratios for companies. This appears from Statistics Finland's Financial Statements Statistics of Large Industrial Enterprises.
19 May 1997
Export prices up by 0.6 per cent in April
Export prices rose by 0.6 per cent from March to April, the rise being attributable mainly to more expensive base metals, paper and paperboard as well as machinery and equipment. In the year to April, in contrast, they have fallen by 5.1 per cent. This information can be gathered from the Export Price Index of Statistics Finland.
15 May 1997
Growth in industrial output gained momentum in March
Industrial output grew by 8.8 per cent in the year to March, the index per working day of Statistics Finland indicates. In February output increased by 7.1 per cent. The strong growth in output was sustained by the metal industry and the wood and paper industry.
15 May 1997
Consumer prices rose by 1.0 per cent in the year to April. The rate of inflation accelerated for it was at 0.6 per cent in March. These figures are indicated by the Consumer Price Index of Statistics Finland. 30 April 1997
Further rise in total output in February
Total output was up by 4.6 per cent in the year to February. After adjustment for seasonal variation, output in February was 0.3 per cent higher than in January. In January output rose by 5.7 per cent compared to the previous year. All branches of industry saw an increase in output in February. The data are based on Statistics Finland's monthly indicator of total output.
24 April 1997
The service sector saw an increase in the number of jobs by over 40 000 in the year to March, as indicated by the revised Labour Force Survey of Statistics Finland. There was a slight improvement in employment in the processing industries as well, whereas in primary production jobs decreased. The total number of employed persons in March amounted to 2 107 000, being 40 000 more than a year ago.
18 April 1997
Export prices down by 6.2 per cent in the year to March
Export prices fell by 6.2 per cent in the year to March. This was due in particular to the fall in the prices of paper and paperboard as well as to cheaper base metals, furs and pulp. The prices of paper and paperboard are a good 15 per cent lower than in March of the year before. This information can be gathered from the Export Price Index of Statistics Finland.
15 April 1997
Growth in industrial output spearheaded by the wood and paper industry in February
Industrial output grew by 6.7 per cent in the year to February, the index per working day of Statistics Finland indicates.
Inflation at 0.6 per cent in March
Consumer prices were up by 0.6 per cent in the year to March, and by 0.4 per cent from February to March. This appears from Statistics Finland's Consumer Price Index.
2 April 1997
Net sales of the information sector amounted to FIM 117 billion in 1995
The net sales of the Finnish information and communications industry as a whole amounted to nearly FIM 117 billion in 1995. The sector accounted for 12 per cent of the net sales of all enterprises and for 15 per cent of their combined employment. The number of companies in this sector, their net sales and employment figures increased very much faster than the average for the whole business sector during the period 1993-1995. The data are based on Statistics Finland's latest publication Information on the Information Society.
27 March 1997
Vacancies increased in the processing and service industries
The number of vacancies increased by about 20 000 in both the processing and service industries in the year to February, the revised Labour Force Survey of Statistics Finland indicates. The total number of people in work amounted to 2 094 000 in February, which is a good 40 000 more than a year ago.
27 March 1997
Rapid growth in total output continued in January
Total output increased by 5.7 per cent in the year to January. After adjustment for seasonal variation, output in January was up by 0.4 per cent from December. In December output increased by 6.2 per cent on the preceding year. Output grew in January in all branches of industry. This appears from Statistics Finland's monthly indicator of total output.
21 March 1997
GDP up by 5.8 per cent in last quarter of 1996
Finland's gross domestic product for the last quarter of 1996 was up by 5.8 per cent on the figure for the corresponding period in 1995. The growth rate accelerated towards the end of the year. In the first quarter of 1996 GDP grew by 1.5 per cent, in the second quarter by 1.7 per cent, and in the third quarter by 4.1 per cent on the year before. This appears from the preliminary data on National Accounts compiled by Statistics Finland.
18 March 1997
Export prices down by 0.5 per cent in February
Export prices fell by 0.5 per cent from January to February. This was explained by the price falls in paper and paperboard as well as furskins. This information can be gathered from the Export Price Index of Statistics Finland.
17 March 1997
Strong growth in industrial output continued in January
Industrial output grew by 7.6 per cent in the year to January, the index per working day of Statistics Finland indicates. Growth was the strongest in the wood and paper industry.
14 March 1997
Inflation at 0.4 per cent in February
Consumer prices rose by 0.4 per cent in the year to February. From January to February the point figure of the consumer price index rose by 0.1 per cent. This information can be gathered from the Consumer Price Index of Statistics Finland.
3 March 1997
Further decline in unemployment
In the year to January vacancies increased in the service sector, in wholesale and retail trade in particular, but were down in agriculture and forestry as well as in the processing industries. All in all the number of employed amounted to 2 051 000 in January, being almost the same as the year before. This information can be gathered from the revised the Labour Force Survey of Statistics Finland.
28 February 1997
Accelerated growth in total output in December
Total output increased by 6.2 per cent in the year to December. After adjustment for seasonal variation, output in December was up by 0.4 per cent from November. In November output increased by 4.4 per cent on the preceding year. Output grew in December in all branches of industry. The data are based on Statistics Finland's monthly indicator of total output.
18 February 1997
Import prices up 0.7 per cent in January
Import prices rose 0.7 per cent between December and January, due mainly to the higher prices of crude oil, electricity and oil products. The increase in the year to January was 2.1 per cent. This information can be gathered from the Import Price Index of Statistics Finland.
17 February 1997
Industrial output grew by 3.4 per cent last year
Industrial output grew by 3.4 per cent from 1995 to 1996, the index of Statistics Finland indicates. Growth remained slower compared to previous years due to poor growth in the first half of the year, but it was still faster than in the EU countries on average.
14 February 1997
Inflation at 0.6 per cent in January
Consumer prices rose by 0.6 per cent in the year to January. From December to January the point figure of the consumer price index fell slightly. As of January 1997, Finland started to implement the EU harmonised practice in the treatment of missing prices of the CPI. This lowered both the year-on-year change and the change on one month by 0.1 percentage points, the Consumer Price Index of Statistics Finland indicates.
13 February 1997
Production reached the pre-recession level last year
The volume of Finland's gross domestic product grew by 3.2 per cent last year, as indicated by the preliminary data on National Accounts compiled by Statistics Finland. Production reached the level of the peak years of 1989 and 1990 before the recession. GDP in nominal terms amounted to FIM 569 billion in 1996.
30 January 1997
Growth in total output continued further in October
Total output increased by 4 per cent in the year to November. After adjustment for seasonal variation, output in November was up by 0.3 per cent from October. In September output increased by 4.2 per cent on the preceding year. Output grew in October by 5.7 per cent compared to the year before. Output increased in November in all branches of industry except agriculture and forestry. The data are based on Statistics Finland's monthly indicator of total output.
23 January 1997
Employment picked up before Christmas
There was an increase in the number of employed by almost 40 000 from December 1995 to December 1996, as indicated by the Labour Force Survey of Statistics Finland. The number of jobs rose in the service sector, mostly in trade and commerce, as well as in processing.
17 January 1997
Import prices up one-and-a half per cent 1996
Comparison of the year-on-year averages reveals that import prices rose one-and-a-half per cent from 1995 to 1996. This as the result of the upward trend in the prices of crude oil, vehicles, machinery and equipment, and oil products. A year before prices had fallen 0.1 per cent. This information can be gathered from the Import Price Index of Statistics Finland.
15 January 1997
Growth rate of industrial output 7.2 per cent in November
The growth rate of industrial output increased in November. According to the index per working day of Statistics Finland, industrial output grew by 7.2 per cent in the year to November.
15 January 1997
No change in prices from November to December
Consumer prices rose 0.8 per cent in the year to December. There was no change from November to December. The mean inflation for 1996 was 0.6 per cent. This information can be gathered from the Consumer Price Index of Statistics Finland.