Teltow-Fläming in the Future Atlas: Dramatic fall to 276th place!

Teltow-Fläming in the Future Atlas: Dramatic fall to 276th place!

The Teltow-Fläming district has experienced a severe setback in the Prognos Future Atlas 2025. In a recent ranking, the region fell from 174th place to a worrying 276th place. This made headlines because the Future Atlas evaluates the future viability of a total of 400 districts and independent cities in Germany and is updated every three years. Various criteria such as demographics, labor market, competition and innovative strength as well as social situation are examined maz-online.de reported.

Not long ago, in 2019, Teltow-Fläming was listed at number 170 and was considered the front runner among the new federal states. However, the latest ranking shows a sharp fall, while the neighboring district of LDS has fortunately risen to 165th place. These developments raise questions, not least about the economic diversity and future viability of the region, which currently appears to be under pressure. The Future Atlas, which has existed since 2004 and takes macro- and socio-economic indicators into account, is an important source of information for strategies in regional development, as well kgst.de notes.

Difficult conditions and necessary measures

Teltow-Fläming District Administrator Kornelia Wehlan points to the increase in employees from 57,425 (2015) to 68,899 at the end of 2024 as well as a falling unemployment rate, but does not remain unconcerned about the low ranking in the atlas. She describes Teltow-Fläming as having a strong economic position, but is fighting against weaknesses in dynamics, demographics and innovation. District council chairman Danny Eichelbaum from the CDU cites demographic challenges, a shortage of skilled workers and structural differences as factors for the poor performance, while Erik Stohn from the SPD calls for faster decisions by the district administration to promote dynamism.

Not all voices are optimistic: AfD district council parliamentary group leader Birgit Bessin criticizes the inadequate infrastructural connection and calls for a “policy change”. Dirk Steinhausen from the WfG also sees it as a problem that the region has rested too much on old successes. Wehlan, on the other hand, emphasizes, despite the setbacks, that over 573 million euros were invested in the economy between 2019 and 2025 and that there are exemplary company settlements.

Future outlook and necessary change

The current results in the Future Atlas have made it clear that there is a need for action. While Teltow-Fläming was able to reach 154th place in the area of ​​“wealth and social situation”, the developments in the areas of demography (231) and the labor market (310) are alarmingly low. This shows that there is a lot to do in the region if you don't want to slip further down the rankings. The challenges are clear and the district must face the changes expected from the energy crisis and other external influences, according to teltow-fläming.de could already have an impact on location competition.

Whether Teltow-Fläming can free itself from this misery in the future depends on quick action and a clear strategy to get the region back on track. The voices of those responsible are loud, action is now required.