Finland Has Good Potential to Succeed in Attracting Foreign Talent

The number of foreign experts arriving in Finland has been growing in the 2000s. Finland is thus able to attract foreign talent, although they focus on certain sectors, such as higher education and the information and communication sector. However, a significant proportion of foreign talent leaves Finland fairly quickly. In five years after arriving in Finland, already about half have left Finland. According to an indicator developed by the OECD, Finland is an attractive country for foreign experts. Finland’s strengths are a high quality of life and a high level of skills. Finland is also a good place to live from the point of view of families. Finland’s challenges in attracting foreign talent, on the other hand, are related to immigrants’ opportunities in the labour market, income and taxes, and the inclusiveness of society. Attitudes towards immigrants are more negative than in the other Nordic countries. However, Finland’s challenges can be met with policy measures. Productivity, and thus earnings, can be improved by maintaining a high level of skills and increasing investments in research and development. Research also shows that attitudes and policy views related to immigration can be influenced by disseminating research-based information on the social impacts of immigration.