Boom and decline: This is how the Ludwigslust-Parchim district is changing

Boom and decline: This is how the Ludwigslust-Parchim district is changing

The 2024 demographic report for the Ludwigslust-Parchim district reveals a tension between different developments in the communities. How Northern Courier reports, a clear picture emerges: While places like Hagenow have recorded a 9.1 percent increase in population in recent years, others, especially in rural areas, are struggling with a decline in population.

The reason for the growth in Hagenow is not least the stable infrastructure and excellent transport connections. No wonder that these factors encourage immigration and improve the quality of life. In stark contrast is the Goldberg-Mildenitz office, where the population fell by 8.6 percent over the same period. Responsible for this are, among other things, negative natural population development – ​​more deaths than births – and insufficient immigration. Rural regions in the east of the district are at risk of falling behind.

The challenges facing rural areas

But where does this difference come from? In western Germany, especially in the cities and surrounding areas of Hamburg, growth remains high, while eastern Germany is struggling with other challenges. According to the data of Federal Statistical Office Around 60 million people currently live in large urban areas, which corresponds to 71% of Germany's total population. This dynamic means that urban areas are constantly growing, while rural regions are stagnating or even shrinking.

Population movements are crucial to understanding the causes of these developments. Aging is a central issue, particularly in rural areas, where hardly any positive inflows were recorded in 2023. Data shows that the proportion of people aged 67 and over is steadily increasing and could reach 25.6% of the population by 2070. This makes questions about the future of communities and the associated living conditions, especially for older people, increasingly relevant.

Demographic change in a larger context

This change is not limited to Ludwigslust-Parchim, but represents a pan-German phenomenon. Like the Federal Agency for Civic Education reports, the number of people aged 67 and over in Germany has increased from 10.4 million to 16.4 million since 1990 and is expected to reach 20 million by the mid-2030s. This demographic development is not only putting the infrastructure in the affected communities to the test, but also the social security systems.

It is clear that the challenges associated with demographic change need to be addressed in both urban and rural contexts. Participation in a home check, as encouraged by the district administration, is therefore a valuable opportunity for residents to express their satisfaction with various areas of life and to actively participate in shaping their communities.

What remains to be done? Municipalities must ask themselves how they can make their offerings attractive to young families and seniors in order to meet demographic challenges. Ultimately, it is important not only to encourage immigration, but also to ensure the quality of life in the region. Exchange between generations and a lively community culture could be the key to positive development here.