Study: Coping with physically demanding agricultural and forestry work requires various types of support

Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and Farmers' Social Insurance Institution Mela media release 22 August 2025

The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health’s register study on career sustainability in physically demanding sectors insured by Farmers' Social Insurance Institution Mela examined the incidence of disability pensions and the factors affecting it in 2010—2021. The study utilised nationally comprehensive data, which enabled long-term follow-up and examination per occupational group. 

From the perspective of career sustainability, it is positive that agricultural entrepreneurs, forest owners, reindeer herders and fishermen who work full time in MYEL-insured sectors are as likely to remain in work life as other employees. In addition, part-time entrepreneurs in the sector are even more likely to remain in work life. However, many of those employed full time are considering switching to another sector or becoming part-time agricultural entrepreneurs. 

"Career changes are more common in agriculture and forestry compared to other sectors. Women in particular are likely to change careers. Changing careers is most likely outside the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Southern Finland," says Annina Ropponen, Research Professor at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.
" The result is likely explained by structural change in the sector. Livestock production is concentrated in Eastern and Northern Finland, where its discontinuation is also most common," says Päivi Wallin, Director at Mela.

"It would be a good idea to take a closer look at the effects of working part time. It is possible that the workload in these professions is more manageable and that secondary occupations would thus support coping, well-being and career sustainability," Ropponen says. 

The better coping at work of part-time entrepreneurs can also be explained by the fact that they usually have occupational health care through their salaried work. Only about a quarter of agricultural entrepreneurs have purchased occupational health care services.

Musculoskeletal symptoms and support for young entrepreneurs require attention

The follow-up study confirms that musculoskeletal diagnoses are still the most common cause of sickness absences, especially among full-time agricultural and forestry workers. There were more women than men among people who received sickness allowance. 

The use of specialist health care increased, particularly in 2020—2021, and disability pension was more common among MYEL-insured persons who did not have a secondary occupation.

The researchers recommend the following support and prevention measures to promote work ability for MYEL-insured persons:

• follow-up, support and guidance for those with musculoskeletal symptoms
• follow-up, support and guidance for young adults and the elderly
• follow-up, support and guidance, especially in Northern and Eastern Finland.

In addition, new monitoring indicators that react faster and more sensitively than the annually updated register data are needed to describe well-being at work and the impacts of different measures.

"In the sectors covered by MYEL, support is needed especially in the early career stages, and this will be a particular focus for us in the future. Mela also aims to prevent musculoskeletal disorders through counselling, training and communication," says Pirjo Saari, Head of Department at Mela’s Work Ability Services.

Learn more about the study

• Career sustainability in physically demanding sectors insured by Mela: final report of a register study project (in Finnish)
• Research data on career sustainability in the Work-Life Knowledge service
• Analysis of this research available in the Work-Life Knowledge service

Read more about the project funded by Mela

• Career sustainability in physically demanding sectors insured by Mela | The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (in Finnish)

Further information

• Annina Ropponen, Research Professor, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tel. +358 (0)43 825 1392, annina.ropponen@ttl.fi
• Johanna Kausto, Specialist Researcher, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tel. +358 (0)43 820 0698, johanna.kausto@ttl.fi
• Elina Ahola, Researcher, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, tel. +358 (0)50 473 3789, elina.ahola@ttl.fi

Further information at Mela provided by

• Pirjo Saari, Head of Department, Farmers' Social Insurance Institution, tel. +358 (0)400 341 390, pirjo.saari@mela.fi
• Arja Peltomäki-Vastamaa, Team Leader, Farmers' Social Insurance Institution, tel. +358 (0)400 320 535, arja.peltomaki-vastamaa@mela.fi