Our alum Anni Marttinen: The economy is a mechanism for changing the world

Aiming for fairness and environmental balance

Anni Marttinen's list of merits is quite impressive. At the time of her graduation as a Master of Science in 2016, she already worked as a market analyst at the Bank of Finland. Between then and now, she has also worked as an economist at the Ministry of Finance and the SAK confederation of trade unions, and as a chief economist at SOSTE, the Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health. 

Today, Anni is an economist at Tehy, a Finnish union for qualified health and social care professionals. Her role is to contribute to improving funding for the Finnish wellbeing services counties and to seek to influence economic policy in the interests of Tehy's members.

“Tehy provides an interesting platform for political influence, and it feels inspiring to work for a good cause. Our aim is to ensure good conditions for care professionals,” says Anni.

In the big picture, Anni's wish is to make a difference not only to the well-being of people, but also to the survival of life on the planet. In her public role, Anni aims to explain the economy and its complex mechanisms in an intelligible fashion.

The economy affects everything, and that is what originally aroused my interest in it. The economy is a mechanism for changing the world."

Anni Marttinen

“The economy affects everything, and that is what originally aroused my interest in it. The economy is a mechanism for changing the world,” says Anni.

Cotton candy economics 

In addition to her paid work, Anni is also an entrepreneur, author, podcast host, TikTok influencer, consultant and lecturer. Many will recognise her as a panelist and columnist for the Finnish Public Service Media Company Yle.

Since 2023, Anni has also been working on her dissertation and building a related green macroeconomic model. Anni's doctoral research is strongly guided by her values: equality, justice and caring for the carrying capacity of the environment. Anni's study is part of the SISU project which focuses on equitable solutions and in which a green macroeconomic model is being built. The aim of the model is to enable better integration of environmental aspects and fairness into economic decision-making.

Anni finds that the promotion of equality and environmental issues actually go very much hand in hand. For example, the symptoms of the climate crisis hit the most vulnerable hardest.

“When decisions are made right from a planetary perspective, they also promote fairness. I feel that we are doing something great with the green macroeconomic model. I can already sense the historic impact of our work,” Anni says.

When decisions are made right from a planetary perspective, they also promote fairness. I feel that we are doing something great with the green macroeconomic model. I can already sense the historic impact of our work."

Anni Marttinen

Anni also published her debut book in 2024. The book popularises economics and introduces readers to economic information and knowledge in a more accessible way than traditional economics books, yet without underestimating the reader.

“The title of my book is Hattaratalous, ‘Cotton Candy Economics’, as I wanted it to evoke a feeling of warmness and softness – to counterbalance the fact that the economy is often perceived as something cold and hard.”

Highly valued education and a bunch of golden stories from China

Anni has graduated as a Master of Science in Economics from Tampere University, majoring in economics. She also studied political science, statistics, finance and Asian Studies in Business.

“The studies at Tampere University had a social focus, and I appreciated the fact that I could study the subjects I wanted. Tampere was a great place to study,” Anni says.

The studies at Tampere University had a social focus, and I appreciated the fact that I could study the subjects I wanted. Tampere was a great place to study."

Anni Marttinen

Anni feels that curiosity and broad interest were the most valuable things she gained from her studies before entering working life.

“I began my career as a trainee at the Bank of Finland before even completing my bachelor's degree. I consider this to be proof that my education was highly valued and that I had absorbed the study contents,” says Anni.

An unforgettable experience for Anni during her studies was a semester as an exchange student at Fudan University in Shanghai. Anni had been impressed by China in upper secondary school after reading a book about the Cultural Revolution and visiting Beijing with her mother to celebrate her matriculation.

“China has an impressive history, and it has made great strides in its economy. I studied the Chinese economy during my exchange. I also gained a bunch of golden stories as I travelled around China during the semester, such as having a stomach flu in the mountains and travelling by the local night train. I now have a story to tell at every social event,” Anni says laughing.

Text: Tiina Leivo

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