Finnish households have a worrying level of debt. Advance measures should be taken to prevent the accumulation of excessive debt.

A review of the ECB’s monetary policy strategy is due in light of the latest economic research and the changed operating environment.

The euro area’s monetary policy stance is conducive to economic growth and employment in Finland.

In times of uncertainty, prudence is justified in the normalisation of monetary policy.

Finland’s public finances have gathered strength; the general government deficit has shrunk and the ratio of public debt to GDP has begun to contract. Yet determined efforts are still required to address the challenges to fiscal sustainability in the long term.

The risks relating to high household indebtedness are realised when indebted households respond to the threat of payment difficulties by sharply reducing their consumption.

Euro area inflation remains subdued, but confidence in inflation converging towards the ECB's objective has strengthened. Owing to these uncertainties, the conduct of monetary policy in the euro area rests on patience, persistence and prudence.

In order to sustain economic growth and improve the employment situation over the long term, it is vital that Finland’s cost-competitiveness continue its favourable trajectory into the coming years. Meanwhile, the situation in the public finances can be eased by implementing structural reforms.

The amount of underutilized domestic capacity is expected to gradually be taken up, and the global economy's generally favourable outlook will support growth in the euro area. Together these factors support expectations that the inflation rate will slowly return to the policy objective.

The faster growth will ameliorate the problems in the economy, but not solve them. The industrial base has narrowed, unemployment is high and the public finances are in deficit. It is important to continue the corrective measures in the economy.

Structural changes in the banking sector may have an impact on risk spillovers between the Nordic countries.

A very substantial degree of monetary accommodation is still needed in the euro area for underlying inflation pressures to build up and support inflation in the medium term. More Bank of Finland Bulletin articles will be published in the beginning of April.

After a prolonged period of weakness, the Finnish economy has begun to recover. When the economy develops the capacity to renew itself in such a way that productivity improves and employment opportunities are generated, the growth outlook will improve. At the same time the risk of increasing marginalisation and lack of opportunities will be reduced.

Thanks to the Eurosystem’s comprehensive monetary policy measures, monetary conditions in the euro area are favourable. GDP is expected to grow at a reasonable pace in the immediate years ahead, and the pace of inflation is expected to gradually accelerate.

The growth in private demand that has bolstered the economy has been accompanied by continued growth in the levels of household debt. Risks relating to this can be controlled centrally using macroprudential policy.

Euro area monetary policy and domestic economic policy are supporting Finland’s slowly recovering economy. Close monitoring is nevertheless essential to ensure continued stability on the financial markets.