Monitoring and forecasting regional development

In the monitoring of regional development extensive use is made of both national and international statistics and research. Regional research and foresight information is also produced and extensively used in regional councils and Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centres).

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is responsible for coordinating the regional foresight work and for incorporating it into national foresight work. Foresight activities focus on anticipating trends in education, competence and structural change.

Statistical information on regional development

The labour market situation and business trends in individual counties are the main statistical variables monitored in the short term. Regional economic trends, competitiveness and population trends are the main variables monitored in the long term.

Statistical information on regional development are collected from a number of different sources, the most important being the StatFin online service (free-of-charge) provided by Statistics Finland and the Sector Online service (subject to a charge) maintained by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. At regional level, the information is provided by county and for some of the activities by sub-region.

Situation and development picture for regional development

An annual situation and development picture for regional development is drawn up for the regional development discussions between the central government and regions. It consists of an analysis based on statistics and a qualitative interpretation. The package forms a knowledge base for identifying the themes to be discussed in the regional development discussions.

The situation and development picture for regional development consists of the Government’s national situation and development picture and the region-specific situation and development pictures drawn up in the regions.

The situation and development picture for regional development prepared in 2023-2024 includes the following parts:

  1. Demographic development
  2. Sustainable development of the environment
  3. Regional and community structure and transport and communications connections
  4. Business, industry and RDI activities
  5. Labour availability, skills and education and culture
  6. Inclusion and wellbeing

National situation and development picture as a PDF (in Finnish)

Urban-rural classification based on geographical information

Taking into account the differences between regions is a challenge to regional development and planning. As municipalities become larger, municipality-based classifications are increasingly unsuitable for recognising regional differences. An urban-rural regional classification based on geographical information recognises different types of urban and rural areas and the zones between them more accurately than administrative areas. View and download the classification: https://www.ymparisto.fi/kaupunkimaaseutuluokitus (in Finnish)

Further information: satu.tolonen(at)gov.fi