This autumn, new reports and arguments will be presented to highlight the Jakobstad region’s opportunities, strengths and challenges. Even now, however, the material already offers a number of noteworthy insights.
Turnover of approximately €4.5 billion in 2025*
Since 2015, turnover in the Jakobstad region has increased by 40 per cent, equivalent to annual growth of around 3.5 per cent. For a population base of just over 50,000, these are exceptionally strong figures. In 2024, the region recorded a peak of €4.8 billion, compared with €3.2 billion in 2016, which was the lowest figure during the period.
One notable point is that 2025 was a weaker year, and the data shows that market conditions in the paper and sawmill industries posed challenges for the region. At the same time, positive developments in other sectors largely offset that impact. In recent months, the region has nevertheless shown a more favourable trend than the country as a whole, offering some grounds for cautious optimism.
Exports of approximately €1.9 billion in 2025*
Exports in the Jakobstad region have increased by 80 per cent since 2015, corresponding to average annual growth of around 6 per cent. This underlines how increasingly dependent the region has become on the success of its export industries. Exports worth nearly €2 billion from a region of 50,000 inhabitants is also a striking result. It should also be noted that many subcontractors to major export industries do not classify all parts of their turnover as exports. Österbottens handelskammare clearly highlighted in an article 7.11.2025 the challenges involved in calculating export value. Therefore, we are keen on now updating the Jakobstad region’s statistics and examining long-term shifts in development.
The diversity of the Jakobstad region’s business structure strengthens its resilience, and the analysis material shows that companies in the region have succeeded in growing and developing across a wide range of sectors. At the same time, there is reason to take a closer look at service and support services, including their role in exports. The main future challenges may lie in developments in the global export market and in whether the region’s seven key industries can renew themselves quickly enough. The service-based transformation of products and the creation of intangible value may become one of the biggest future challenges for both the Jakobstad region and Finland as a whole.
More fresh and relevant material will be presented this autumn. Until then, the regional development team wishes everyone a pleasant summer!
) Source: Statistics Finland’s customer-specific business cycle statistics. Based on data reported by limited liability companies.
Contact: Fredrik Sandelin, Regional Developer, 044-324 3435, fredrik.sandelin@concordia.jakobstad.fi