Krugman: Long Road to Economic Recovery
Nobel-winning Princeton economist Paul Krugman says small countries like Finland should stay competitive while holding onto their social welfare systems. Krugman, who spoke in Helsinki on Monday, added that the road to economic recovery will be long.
Speaking at a forum on Finland’s economic development organised by the Finnish Innovation Fund, Sitra, Krugman said that technically the global economy began to rebound at the end of the summer. He added, however, that unemployment could worsen for up to a year and a half, despite growth.
"Prospects for slow growth--maybe even some quarters of negative growth are really quite strong. The forces of recovery now are largely temporary factors. We don't have very much reason to think we've got a solid recovery on tap," said Krugman.
While Krugman sees some bright spots, he added that the recession in Finland could last for quite some time. The effects of the government's stimulus efforts are wearing off and exports offer little remedy in global markets still gripped by the downturn.
"From the general grounds that Finland is a manufacturing, exporting economy, I would expect GDP growth to turn positive quite soon because we're seeing a worldwide bounce back in manufacturing--but that's a long way from full recovery," Krugman explained.
For now, Krugman says Finland's best bet is to stick to its stimulus efforts to protect jobs.
"There are times when it's good to run deficits and this is one of them, so don't try to balance the budget right now," advised Krugman.
Latest in: News
Climate change increasing weather extremes in Finland
Stronger winds, lighter frosts and more storm damage to forests are among the impacts that the Finnish Meteorological Institute expects to see in this country as a result of global warming.
Niinistö: Cooperation in Iceland no change in defence policy
President Sauli Niinistö told YLE on Saturday that Finland's possible participation in patrolling Iceland's airspace would not mark a change in the nation's defence policy line.
Tougher rules on gun storage likely
In the wake of Saturday's fatal shootings, Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen indicated that upcoming changes to gun laws may include stricter rules about keeping firearms under lock and key.
Hyvinkää shooting victims all young adults
Victims in Saturday's shooting incident were rushed to hospital in Hyvinkää and to the Meilahti and Töölö hospitals in Helsinki. Both men and women, all the victims were young adults.
Two dead, 7 injured in Hyvinkää shootings
A police officer who arrived on the scene was critically injured. A suspect taken into custody has confessed to police.
Finland’s coolest summer festivals
Summer is the most frenzied time in the Finnish cultural year, with fans and artists alike rushing to enjoy that brief intersection of warmth and relaxed free time. Here are a dozen of the season’s most unusual cultural events. Nearly all take place outdoors or in tents – so here’s hoping for a warm, dry-ish festival season.
Baby spuds herald arrival of summer
In a crucial sign of summer for Finns, the first field-grown potatoes of the year have been harvested in Rymättylä on Finland's south-west coast.
Cutting-edge Finnish fashion hits the catwalk
The newest names in Finnish fashion are taking centre stage on Friday evening at a gala event at Helsinki's old Suvilahti power plant.
Urpilainen returned as SDP chair
The Social Democrats gathered at a party convention in Helsinki to elect party leaders. Incumbent Jutta Urpilainen ran unopposed for the chairmanship.
EU unemployed seek Finnish jobs
Labour officials say there's been an almost daily flow of European jobseekers registering for employment opportunities in Finland -- some of them from Spain.

Discuss this topic
0 comments
Thank you. Your message has been sent to Yle News. We publish comments between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News reads all comments before publishing, and we reserve the right to edit long comments. Inappropriate comments will not be published.
Thank you. Your report has been sent to Yle News. We review the reports between 9 AM and 5 PM.
Yle News will review the comment you reported and will delete it if necessary.