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.

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.

Situational and development picture of regional development in 2024

The areas of the situational and development picture for regional development in 2024 are:

  1. Population development
  2. Economic development of the municipalities and wellbeing services counties
  3. Sustainable vitality and investments
  4. Healthy population and communities
  5. An attractive living environment and diverse nature

National situation and development overview 2024 (in Finnish)
Situation and outlook for local government finances in autumn 2024 (in Finnish)
Economic situation picture of wellbeing services counties 2024 (in Finnish)

Situational and development picture for 2023

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