Regular articles, analyses and observations from our economists on the forces shaping the Ruhr economy — from structural transformation and energy policy to labor markets and regional investment trends.
Two decades after the decline of hard-coal mining, the region's economy is redefining itself around logistics, green energy, health technology and digital services. We examine which locations are capturing new investment, where the labor market is tightening, and what this means for mid-sized companies planning their next five years.
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New rail connections to Central and Eastern Europe are shifting cargo flows. We look at what the volume data means for logistics providers and manufacturers in the region.
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Electricity and gas prices have eased from their peaks but remain structurally above pre-2022 levels. Our cost benchmarking across five key sectors shows who adapts fastest.
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While Essen and Düsseldorf hold steady, secondary locations face rising vacancy. A comparison of city-level data and what it signals for investors and occupiers.
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Demographics and qualification mismatches are tightening key occupational groups. We map shortage indicators by district and sector for the wider metropolitan area.
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Health services, medical technology and care now account for a growing share of regional employment. We size the sector and identify its strongest local clusters.
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Founding activity around the region's universities is accelerating in software, climate tech and B2B services. What the data reveals about the next generation of employers.
Read articleGDP trends, investment activity and business climate indicators for the Rhine-Ruhr region.
Energy prices, grid developments and the industrial decarbonization agenda in NRW.
Employment, wages, demographics and skills shortages across districts and sectors.
Freight flows, inland ports, rail corridors and supply-chain reconfiguration.
