Finland's software sector is sending a notably different signal than much of the broader economy.
More than 76 percent of software companies expect revenue growth over the next six months, according to the findings of the latest Sykemittari survey from the Software Finland Association. More than half plan to recruit new employees during the same period, based on the poll conducted among the organization’s over 600 members, including software companies and their leaders.
The contrast with the wider SME market is striking. In the Spring 2026 SME Barometer from the Federation of Finnish Enterprises, only 41 percent of companies expected growth. Software companies appear to be operating on a different trajectory.
Software Finland CEO Rasmus Roiha sees the results as evidence that investment appetite is returning despite continued economic uncertainty. "Year 2023 was marked by a focus on improving profitability, but since then, we have been on an upward growth path. This year's results show that the positive development is continuing and strengthening," Roiha said.
Artificial intelligence is emerging as a key driver. Earlier member research conducted by the association found that more than 80 percent of companies had already acquired AI expertise through hiring or external services. More than one-quarter said they expect to recruit specifically for AI roles.
Restructuring gives way to expansion
The hiring outlook also contrasts with recent workforce restructuring among Finland's listed technology companies.
During the first quarter of 2026, several publicly listed companies in the information technology & services sector, such as Digia, Vincit, Solteq, and Netum, announced change negotiations covering a potential 195 positions, based on Listeds data. The final outcome was considerably smaller: 94 confirmed reductions, with three of the four negotiations concluded within the same quarter. The figures suggest the sector's adjustment cycle may have been shorter and less severe than many feared.
The latest survey results point to a different phase. More than half of software companies now expect to recruit during the next six months, while over three-quarters anticipate revenue growth. If those expectations materialize, the sector could move from workforce optimization back to net job creation faster than many other parts of the Finnish economy.
The survey also highlights a policy question. Nearly 62 percent of respondents sell services to the public sector, while more than 95 percent would prefer to work directly with public buyers rather than through intermediary in-house entities.
According to Roiha, public procurement will play an important role in determining how much of the sector's growth potential is realized. "Growth does not emerge in a vacuum. Public procurement culture can either open and accelerate markets or lock them into old operating models that slow growth and productivity," he said.
The significance of the survey results extends beyond the technology sector itself. Software increasingly underpins productivity, automation, and competitiveness across the economy. When software companies begin hiring and investing again, they are often among the earliest indicators that corporate confidence is returning.
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