VATT Researcher Maarit Olkkola Receives the Väinö Kannisto Recognition Award
The Family Federation of Finland has granted the 2025 Väinö Kannisto Recognition Award to VATT Senior Researcher, DSc (Econ) Maarit Olkkola.
VATT’s new organisation started on 1 October
The organisational structure of the VATT Institute for Economic Research changed at the beginning of October.
Study: Lowering public transport fares reduces driving, but is an expensive way to reduce emissions
Recent research indicates that lowering public transport fares in the Helsinki metropolitan area reduced car use and CO2 emissions. However, the measure was expensive in terms of cost per tonne of CO2 reduced compared to other climate actions.
Researcher introduction: Research Professor Teemu Lyytikäinen
This time, we introduce Teemu Lyytikäinen, who was appointed Research Professor at VATT Institute for Economic Research in December 2024. Teemu is involved in several research projects related to municipal finance and housing, among other topics. Read more about Teemu's research activities.
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What does Finnish research tell us about the impact of cuts to unemployment insurance benefits?
There is recent empirical evidence on the impact of cuts to unemployment insurance. "Both shorter entitlement periods and lower daily benefits shorten periods of unemployment and accelerate re-employment. The impact of less generous earnings-related benefits on the quality of future jobs is likely to be relatively small," writes Tomi Kyyrä, a research professor at VATT.
Teemu Lyytikäinen appointed research professor at VATT
Teemu Lyytikäinen, a long-time chief researcher and research leader at the VATT Institute for Economic Research, has been appointed research professor. VATT’s management decided on the change of position in December 2024.
Economic Policy Council's background report: Higher wages in Helsinki reflect productivity
According to a recent background report by the Economic Policy Council, wages in the Helsinki travel-to-work area are significantly higher than in other parts of Finland. Work experience gained in Helsinki also leads to faster wage growth compared to other regions. The report attributes this to the higher productivity enabled by the larger city size, which enables higher wages.
Tuulia Hakola-Uusitalo appointed as Director General of the VATT Institute for Economic Research
The Government has appointed Tuulia Hakola-Uusitalo, Doctor of Social Sciences, as Director General of the VATT Institute for Economic Research (VATT) for the five-year term 2025–2029.
Study: Subminimum wages for young workers did not boost employment
Only a small fraction of retail trade companies opted to pay newly hired workers under the age of 25 subminimum wages, after policy change. This finding suggests that prevailing wage norms significantly influence firms’ wage setting.
2035Legitimacy
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Economic and social sustainability across time and space in an ageing society.
Finnish Centre of Excellence in Tax Systems Research
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Economicy Policy Council
Independent evaluation of the objectives of Finland's economic policy - and the effectiveness of the policy measures chosen.