Main Features of Finnish Economy in 2013 - 2015

1. The euro area recession has deepened, but the calming of the financial markets
   provides hope for the latter part of 2013.

2. Finland's GDP will grow by 0.3 per cent in 2013,
   while next year growth will accelerate to 1.8 per cent.

3. The volume of exports will expand in 2013 by half a per cent,
   while growth in 2014 is expected to be 3.5 per cent.

4. Private consumption will increase by only 0.3 per cent in 2013,
   but a modest improvement in purchasing power will boost the growth rate to 1.3 per cent in 2014.

5. Business investment will fall due to weak demand in 2013,
   but it will begin to increase in 2014 as demand picks up.

6. The unemployment rate will be 8.3 per cent in 2013 and 8.1 per cent in 2014.

7. Finland's consumer prices will rise 2.4 per cent in 2013 and by a couple of per cent in 2014;
   the increase in VAT rates will boost inflation this year, but raw material price pressures have eased.

8. The economic slowdown erodes the effect of fiscal belt-tightening;
   the government's goal of getting the debt-to-GDP ratio back on a declining path is in danger.