Half of the students in Finland work during their studies, according to the latest education statistics published by Statistics Finland.
Numbers show that one-half of students aged at least 18 were working alongside studies in 2019. Working was most common in connection with university and university of applied sciences studies.
55% of university students had an employment contract while studying and 58% of university of applied sciences (polytechnics) students. In vocational education, 47% of students were employed during studies. In upper secondary general education, 33% were employed alongside studies.
Women worked while studying more frequently than men: 55% of women and 47% of men had an employment relationship while studying.
Examined by type of education, 38% of women in upper secondary general education were working alongside studies and 26% of men. Of women studying in vocational education, 50% were employed while studying and 44% of men.
59% of women studying for a university of applied sciences degree were employed while studying and 50% of men. Of women studying for a higher university degree, 62% were employed during studies and of men, 62%.
By field of education
There were differences in working during studies among different age groups. In all, 31% of 18-year-old students, 38% of 21-year-old students and 51% of 24-year-old students had an employment relationship. Among students aged 25 or over, 62% were employed during their studies.
Employment of students during studies varied by field of education. At the end of 2019, altogether 62% of students in the fields of business, administration and law, 60% of students in education, 58% of students in social sciences, 58% of students in health and welfare, and 46% of students in humanities and arts had a valid employment relationship.
Employment during studies was more common than average for the whole country in the regions of Uusimaa, Ostrobothnia, Central Ostrobothnia, Southwest Finland, Kanta-Häme, South Ostrobothnia, Lapland and Åland.
