<\/a>The Finnish economy is the most remarkable among the countries that form the European Union, with a GDP of $200.7 billion in 2012, maintaining itself at approximately the same level as in previous years – $201.1 billion in 2011 and $195.7 billion in 2010. Furthermore, per capita income is now among the highest in Western Europe – $37,000. Also, the unemployment rate is among the lowest in the European Union – 7.8%. Finland is a member of the European Union since 1995 and was the only Nordic state to join the euro system at its initiation, in 1999. Finland\u2019s short-term challenges in 2013 are to stimulate economic growth in the face of weak demand in EU export markets and government austerity measures meant to reduce its budget deficit. On long-term, Finland must find a solid approach to current challenges: the aging of the population and the fluctuations of an export-driven economy.<\/p>\n