Brandenburg's rise: unemployment is falling, tourism is booming!

Brandenburg's rise: unemployment is falling, tourism is booming!

What are the latest developments from Brandenburg that not only affect politics, but also the economy and society? A look at recent events and statistics reveals astonishing changes and challenges in this dynamic region.

In the 2010s, Brandenburg saw a dramatic decline in the unemployment rate, falling from almost 20% to around 6%. The result: formerly dilapidated towns have been transformed into attractive small towns, while Brandenburg has increasingly developed into a booming tourist country. But not everything went smoothly. From 2015 onwards, the refugee issue divided the public, which led to tensions in society. Jörg Wanke, a prominent activist, reported an arson attack on the “House of Democracy,” which he built with like-minded people. He campaigns against neo-Nazis and xenophobia.

Unemployment figures in focus

Current labor market figures from June 2025 show an unemployment rate in Brandenburg of 6.3 percent. This is 0.4 percentage points higher than in June 2024. A total of 85,236 people are unemployed, including 36,981 women and 48,255 men. A worrying trend is the increase in young unemployed people (15 to under 25 years old) by 6.8 percent to 497. There is also an increase in older unemployed people (50 years and older) by 3.2 percent to 955.

While the local unemployment figures show a slight decrease compared to May 2025, the increase compared to the previous year represents a challenge. In addition, the increase in employees with foreign nationality, which has risen to a record level of 106,122 people, shows that Brandenburg is increasingly dependent on international skilled workers. Particularly noteworthy is the increase in employees subject to social security contributions from the top 8 asylum countries of origin by 5,932 to 10,583.

Social initiatives and social developments

The immigration of Syrian refugees has even led to the preservation of a primary school in Golzow, while at the same time demonstrations against refugees took place in Cottbus, which were thwarted by aid initiatives. The challenges that the topic of migration brings with it are both social and economic in nature.

This also shows the relevance of the “Job-Turbo” project, which was initiated by the job centers to make it easier for refugees to quickly enter the job market. Labor and Economics Minister Daniel Keller emphasizes that international skilled workers and workers are crucial for Brandenburg's economic performance.

A look back into history shows how the country has changed over the years. From the closure of the Cottbus-Nord opencast mine in 2015 to the ongoing difficulties surrounding the major BER airport, whose opening in 2012 was repeatedly postponed due to technical problems, Brandenburg has had to overcome various obstacles. And the journalist Günther Jauch, who has lived in Potsdam for 25 years, is actively involved in the reconstruction of historical buildings.

This development coincides with a reflection of social changes. Brandenburg has changed significantly over the last few years: from a country with high unemployment rates and environmental sins to an attractive location with a diversified population and a growing tourism sector.

All of these elements show that Brandenburg is faced with both challenges and opportunities that must be addressed creatively and courageously by the region's people and institutions. Whether these efforts ultimately bear fruit remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Brandenburg's journey is far from over.