29.05.202605:22:31UTC+00Finnish Q1 GDP Growth Strongest Since 2021

Finland’s economy grew by 0.9% quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter of 2026, in line with preliminary estimates and up from a downwardly revised 0.3% in the previous quarter. This was the strongest quarterly expansion since Q3 2021, driven largely by a sharp 30.8% increase in government spending (vs 2% in Q4 2025), primarily related to defense outlays as deliveries of state-purchased fighter jets got underway.

Net external demand also supported growth, with exports rising by 3.2% (vs -3.3% in Q4) and outpacing the 2.2% increase in imports (vs -0.9%). Household consumption strengthened as well, with expenditures up 0.9% compared with 0.2% in the previous quarter. By contrast, growth in private investment slowed notably, easing to 0.4% from 2% in Q4 2025.

On an annual basis, GDP expanded by 1.1% in Q1 2026, the fastest pace since Q4 2024, following a modest 0.1% increase in the preceding quarter.