Why Foreign Direct Investment is a Game Changer for Finland — And How the Transatlantic Economy Powers It

At AmCham Finland, we care deeply about Finland’s economic success, and one of the most important ways we support it is by promoting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). For Finland, FDI is not just a nice-to-have — it’s a key engine of growth, job creation, and innovation. And when you factor in the transatlantic relationship, particularly between Finland and the United States, the benefits are even greater.

FDI: Fueling Finland’s Economic Engine

Finland is a small but highly globalized economy. We rely on external capital and investments to keep growing, stay competitive, and thrive in international markets. That’s where FDI comes in. It’s the financial lifeblood that helps local businesses expand, builds critical infrastructure, and drives innovation in everything from technology to clean energy. 39%, of all of Finland’s exports, 32 Billion euros, are fueled by foreign affiliates. Further, 28%, or 1.2 Billion euros of all of R&D investments come from foreign affiliates.  By bringing in capital, expertise, and global networks, international investors are helping boost Finland’s economic standing.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs: How FDI Benefits Finnish Workers

It’s not just about the numbers on a balance sheet — FDI creates real opportunities for real people. When foreign companies set up operations in Finland, they don’t just bring in capital; they bring high-quality positions that provide career growth, skill development, and career advancement in some of the most exciting and innovative sectors. According to Statistics Finland, foreign affiliates create 320 941 direct jobs in Finland, almost 20% of the private sector workforce. However, it’s not just the direct jobs that count. Every time a foreign company sets up shop, it creates a ripple effect — boosting demand for local services, supply chains, and even new businesses. That’s a win-win for the entire Finnish economy.

The Transatlantic Economy: Foundational for FDI in Finland

The U.S. and Finland have a strong and growing economic relationship that goes beyond just trade — it's about collaboration, investment, and mutual growth. U.S. government figures show Finland has maintained a healthy trade relationship with the U.S., with Finnish exports to America reaching about $8.0 billion while importing approximately $2.6 billion of American goods in 2024. Even more impressive is the investment landscape: Finnish companies have invested roughly $10.1 billion in the United States as of 2023, which significantly outpaces American investment in Finland at approximately $5.5 billion. This substantial cross-investment creates valuable employment opportunities in both nations.

 According to Statistics Finland, American businesses currently provide  30, 475 direct jobs within Finland, while Finnish companies have established a growing footprint in the U.S. job market, more than doubling their employment contribution from 24,500 to nearly 39,000 positions between 2015 and 2023. The American market is crucial for Finnish exporters, receiving more than one-fifth of Finland's non-EU exports. The economic relationship extends across numerous U.S. states, with Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New Jersey being particularly important destinations for Finnish products, while Texas, Louisiana, and Georgia serve as key suppliers to the Finnish market.

 Finland's reputation as a global innovation leader — ranked seventh worldwide according to recent innovation indices — makes it an especially attractive partner for American businesses seeking cutting-edge collaboration. Additionally, Finland has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to sustainable development, with per-capita investment in clean technology that surpasses even that of the United States, highlighting opportunities for partnership in addressing shared climate and energy challenges.

 Chamber work is critical

The role of Foreign Direct Investment in Finland’s economy cannot be overstated. The Finnish government’s ambitious vision to make Finland “the world’s most interesting place to invest” by 2031 is both timely and commendable. Achieving this goal requires a strategic focus on FDI, which plays a critical role in fostering sustainable economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness. Finland has room to significantly expand its share of FDI. According to the OECD, Finland’s inward FDI stock was 32.5% of GDP in 2020—well below the Nordic-Baltic average and significantly trailing Sweden (71.2%) and Estonia (110.1%). This gap represents a clear opportunity to further boost Finland’s absorptive capacity for foreign investment.

As Finnish Chambers of Commerce around the world, your ability to strengthen and deepen Finland’s relationships with its partners is vital for attracting FDI. Additionally, your networks help connect Finnish businesses to global value chains, allowing them to capitalize on the opportunities that come with a globalized economy. Amcham Finland is proud to be the voice of international business in Finland, and we are proud to work with our friends at the Finland Chamber and directly with the Finnish-American Chambers in the U.S.A to promote transatlantic success. We’re focused on making sure Finland remains a competitive and attractive destination for these kinds of investments, that our Finnish companies succeed in the U.S. market, and that the voice of our members is heard.

Statistics from Business Finland 2023, Statistics Finland 2025 and the Transatlantic Economy 2025 Report

Alexandra Pasternak-Jackson, CEO, Amcham Finland
March 2025