Almost half (49 per cent) of Finns under 30 who have applied for an Elo disability pension have not even had time to properly start their careers before applying for retirement.

This figure means these young people's annual earnings have not exceeded €5000 in any of the five years before applying.

“It is alarming that such a large number of young people are applying for a disability pension before their careers have even properly begun,” Elo director of work ability, Kati Korhonen-Yrjänheikki, said.

“The working age groups are getting smaller, so we cannot afford to lose young people outside of studies and working life. We need to get to grips with what is happening in young people's lives long before they submit a disability pension application.”

The Finnish earnings-related pension provider also highlighted that the number of students seeking the Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) for mental health reasons increased significantly in 2023–2025, and the growth has continued this year. 

In the first nine months of 2026, the number of people seeking services for mental health reasons was 16 per cent higher than in the corresponding period last year and in September, there were more of them than ever before in the history of the FSHS.

More than seven in 10 (71 per cent) students receiving the FSHS's mental health services have received help for their mental health problems even before their student years.

In addition, 40–50 per cent of those who use services for mental health reasons simultaneously experience challenges in coping at work.

According to Korhonen-Yrjänheikki, workplaces should strengthen the work ability of all young people.

For those requiring special support, she said this must be provided before difficulties lead to prolonged absences.

Data from Elo’s claims shows that challenges to young people’s ability to work are increasingly linked to factors such as neurodivergence and sleep disorders.

“By the time a young person is prescribed a long-term sick leave, it is already too late. Workplaces have plenty of ways to take action earlier and structure the day-to-day work in such a way that the young person can keep up,” she concluded.

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