Saxony-Anhalt remains at the bottom of the future atlas – the crisis is getting worse!

Saxony-Anhalt remains at the bottom of the future atlas – the crisis is getting worse!

If we take a look at Germany's future viability, Saxony-Anhalt is once again doing rather poorly. In the current Future Atlas 2025, the federal state has to be content with the last places. Since this study was carried out in 2004, Saxony-Anhalt has struggled with a mediocre reputation and now occupies the inglorious last place in the nationwide rankings.

In its analysis, Prognos AG has clearly shown that the region has significant challenges to overcome. In the ranking, which compares 400 districts and independent cities in Germany, no district in Saxony-Anhalt does better than “very high risk” in the area of ​​future opportunities. The numbers speak for themselves: Mansfeld-Südharz ends up in 393rd place, Stendal and the Altmarkkreis Salzwedel have also slipped. Only the Saale district is in a slightly better position at 278th place and is rated as “balanced”.

Demographic challenges

A central problem that is affecting the future of Saxony-Anhalt is demographic development. According to the Future Atlas, not only are birth rates low, but there is also a noticeable shortage of skilled workers. 13 out of 14 regions in Saxony-Anhalt see themselves as at risk in this risk assessment. For comparison: Magdeburg, as a city with a high level of dynamism, ranks 82nd among the most dynamic regions and has more advantages in the areas of demography and the labor market.

However, the situation becomes more complex here when you look at the other rankings. Magdeburg is in the middle in a nationwide comparison, but occupies a worrying position according to the death rate criteria that are relevant to life expectancy. Destatis sheds light on the probabilities of death based on age, which indicates that Saxony-Anhalt is also facing a challenge here.

Prospects and tensions

The future atlas also shows that the quality of life is at risk in many regions of Saxony-Anhalt. While cities like Halle and Magdeburg are rated as having “slight risks”, most districts have to live with a “very high risk rating”. A positive picture is given by the economic indicators, but the analysis largely ignores one of the central values ​​- the life satisfaction of the residents.

Given these troubling developments, it will be interesting to see what actions are taken in the coming years to improve state and regional opportunities. Finally, it is clear: Saxony-Anhalt needs an upswing, not just on paper, but also in the reality of the lives of the local people.