Unemployment among PhDs on the rise
A growing number of people with PhDs -- more than 2,000 -- are joining the ranks of the unemployed in Finland. Those with doctoral degrees in disciplines such as biology, chemistry and environmental science are most affected, while a forthcoming study suggests that not even the private sector is looking to hire those with PhDs.There are few bright lights on the horizon for the highly educated.

Unemployment among PhD holders has grown over the past 15 years and increased rapidly in the past few years.

Biologists, chemists and biochemists are having the hardest time finding work, according to economist Heikki Taulu from Akava, the trade union for those with university, professional or other high-level education. Taulu says that these were long considered the fields of the future and though they still may be, that future hasn't arrived yet.

There are currently more than 2,000 unemployed PhDs in Finland, which represents about 5 percent of all those with doctorates.

Maija Arvonen, Agreements and Bargaining Officer with the Finnish Union of Experts in Science, says that in addition to the economic downturn there has been a kind of chain reaction. If a student with a lower degree doesn't get a job they often pursue PhD studies because that guarantees them 4 years of work through to their dissertation, she says.

Many groups have repeatedly proposed to the Ministry of Education and Culture that the number of PhDs could be lower.

"If you spend 10 years working towards your doctorate and you cannot get work, it's not sustainable for the economy or an individual," says Arvonen.

Last year an unprecedented number of PhDs graduated in Finland -- more than 1,800.

In the next four years there may be limits placed on the number of PhDs. The Ministry of Education and Culture will start negotiations with universities to lower the number of PhDs to 1,600 annually. According to the ministry's Erja Heikkinen, that number could be even lower, but it's neither fair nor realistic to drop it too quickly.

In addition to significant cutbacks to university education budgets made by the current government, a soon-to-be released report by the ministry says that the private sector is also not interested in hiring those with Phds.

Sources Yle

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Brigadier7:
Finland is a 3rd world country,they are still developing.

Is this one Alright?
Finland is a third world country?
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