Finnish society is built on the promise that education guarantees employment and a stable future. However, the results of the recently published 2025 Youth Barometer show that this promise has been broken. When 70 per cent of young people experience constant pressure regarding employment, the future no longer looks bright for the youth. Young people’s faith in the future is severely shaken.
More than half of young people feel pressure regarding higher education. The current system pressures young people to succeed in choosing their field at the very first attempt. Accepting a study place means losing one’s status in the quota for first-time applicants, even if the field of study proves unsuitable immediately after starting. Society and working life are constantly changing, so it is unreasonable to expect a young person to choose, on their first try, a career where they want and are able to work for the rest of their lives. However, concern for the future may pressure a young person into accepting a study place that would not be their primary choice. Refusing a study place can lead to a young person losing their right to unemployment benefits or a reduction in the basic component of social assistance. It is essential that student admissions and social security are developed in a direction where young people can also make mistakes and try again.
“As a solution to the already growing pressure on students and the demands of society, one option would be to allow students to retain their first-time applicant status up to 60 credits, which would ease the pressure of choosing a field,” comments SAMOK President Helena Maijanen.
Strengthening young people’s faith in the future starts with structures that produce equal opportunities and encourage exploration. Simultaneously, it is necessary to take measures that do not weaken future opportunities. Therefore, investment must be made to ensure that study time can actually be used for studying. Working alongside studies can, at worst, slow down academic progress and increase the burden if the student does not have enough time for recovery. The right to full-time study cannot depend on the student’s financial background.
“Unfortunately, it is not surprising that young people experience unreasonable pressure when we are living in such exceptionally unprecedented times and a societal transition that previous generations have not experienced. The times we live in require creative solutions and, above all, investment in education. Education guarantees security and pathways to a stable future,” reminds SAMOK President Helena Maijanen.
On a positive note, 81 per cent of young people want to complete a higher education degree, and 70 per cent of them also believe they will achieve their desired level of education. It is the responsibility of society to create the framework to enable this ambition. Key elements in this framework are high-quality education, a good income, and an accessible working life. SAMOK believes that education should be invested in with sufficient core funding, internships should be supported with internship vouchers, and students could be included in the universal credit trial.
“Youth and especially student years should serve as times to find oneself, experiment, and explore things—for example, finding communities and networks through various organisations. This, however, requires investment in student financial aid and flexibility in study requirements,” envisions SAMOK President Helena Maijanen.
Further information:
Helena Maijanen, President
tel. +358 50 389 1000
[email protected]