Etla - research to support policy-making

Research activities focus on two thematic areas

Impact of Economic Policy. The aim is to find out how economic policy can promote competition between companies, improve operating conditions in Finland and boost the competitiveness of Finnish production on the world market.

Impact of Major Movements (Megatrends). Research examines the effects of key major movements (megatrends) on operating conditions in the business sector and the preconditions of Finland’s economic policy.

Research is carried out in four research groups

ETLA Economic Research is engaged in applied economic research with emphasis on questions central to the Finnish economy and business sector.

Labour market and education

Labour market and education

The focus of labour market and education research is the transformation taking place in work and adaptations to it. Technological development, globalisation and demographic changes affect the labour market in many ways and pose challenges to labour force and education policy. This research group investigates these phenomena thoroughly.

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Growth, international trade and competition

Growth, international trade and competition

This research group examines the effects of competition, digitalisation and the data economy, as well as public sector actions such as policy run regulations and how they affect on company strategy, commercial innovations and market operations. One particular topic of interest is what opportunities are available through innovation-driven growth in Finland and what measures could be taken to promote growth. The group also studies how export companies become successful as well as trade policy changes and their economic effects.

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Macroeconomy and public finances

Macroeconomy and public finances

The main focus of public finance research is on issues related to the funding of social security and the division of labour between the private and public sectors. Economic policy is analysed with an emphasis on, the sustainability of public finances and the creation and evaluation of related operational strategies. From a macroeconomic perspective, the group studies the development of both the Finnish economy as a whole and the overall global economy and their effects on Finnish business life.

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Business renewal

Business renewal

This research covers the renewal of companies, industries and the national economy. Discontinuities and transitions related to globalisation, technological development and company structures are often a focus of interest. Almost every project involves cooperation with companies or other stakeholders.

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Selected research

Research began 2024 Research ends 2024

This research project analyzes the activities and extent of compliance with the data regulation in Finland. The project utilizes registry data from Statistics Finland. The scope of companies' business activities is measured by turnover, value added, and the value

Research began 2024 Research ends 2024

This research project aims to renew ETLA's forecasting and monitoring activities. As part of the renewal, old forecasting tools are being modernized, and the updating of the forecasting team's publications will continue. With this renewal, the work of the

Research began 2024 Research ends 2024

In recent years, the global operating environment has undergone significant changes, and tensions between different regions have escalated. This research project addresses the question of what this means for Finland's economic and societal policies. The aim of the project

Research began 2024 Research ends 2024

In this research project, the costs caused by sick leaves during the period of 2019–2021 are examined, along with the connections between measures to support work ability and the development of sick leave and its costs. The work package

Research began 2023 Research ends 2024

In the scope of this research project, a comprehensive examination is conducted to assess the extent and economic significance of business subsidies pertaining to digitalisation and the green transition. The project involves a meticulous survey of information from public

Research began 2023 Research ends 2025

The availability of quantitatively sufficient and qualitatively sound financing represents an indispensable prerequisite for facilitating the material and immaterial investments essential for fostering productivity development. Conversely, advancements in productivity and profitability profoundly influence the extent to which companies become

Research began 2023 Research ends 2024

There exists a shortage of qualified early childhood education teachers across all municipalities in Finland. This issue has prompted significant concern due to the widely acknowledged far-reaching implications of teaching quality, with the qualification of early childhood education teachers

Research began 2023 Research ends 2024

The basic elements of artificial intelligence are decades old. New in the field are, among other things, easily accessible services that utilize generative artificial intelligence and large language models, which "understand" natural language and produce analysis, language, visualizations or

Research began 2023 Research ends 2027

The Academy of Finland’s Research Council for Culture and Society has granted Hanna Virtanen, a chief research scientist at Etla, Academy Research Fellow funding. The four-year project “Education and inclusive growth” begins in September 2023. Academy Research Fellowship funding

Research began 2023 Research ends 2025

The private service sector is a critical driver of the Finnish economy, contributing significantly to economic growth and employment. Currently, the sector is undergoing a substantial transformation due to a range of factors, including rapid digitalisation and other changes

Research began 2023 Research ends 2025

Intangibles play a vital role in economic value creation and the overall well-being of societies. Examples of intangibles include brands, data, patents, software, and human and organisational capital. However, our current understanding of intangibles remains imperfect. This research project

Research began 2023 Research ends 2024

This project examines the environmental products and services offered by Finnish companies. In addition, trade barriers that may have an impact on the market success of Finnish products and solutions are mapped in export countries. The project also assesses