Many challenges lie ahead for the small nation of Finland, that has only just emerging from a long recession.

In a statement issued in January this year the Finnish central bank said “An improving employment situation and low inflation will bolster real disposable household income. Exports will recover amid better competitiveness and higher external demand." It went on to note that an ageing population is one of the headwinds for a fuller long term recovery.

Finland’s GDP growth for 2017 is forecasted to 1.3%. Today we look at the many factors that fed into the recession and prospects for recovery.