Finland's Border Regions Face Exodus Due to Lack of Russian Tourists

In Finland, the closure of the border with Russia has led to a mass exodus of the population from border regions, causing a demographic crisis. The absence of Russian tourists has resulted in high unemployment, approaching 20% in some areas, which is roughly twice as high as on the western coast of the country. This economic downturn has severely affected local businesses, particularly in retail and services, leading to mass layoffs and further population loss. Finnish public figures and local authorities are concerned about the situation and are seeking new economic models to stop the outflow of people.