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economic development in the Ruhr region 2022  

Despite all the global crises, 2022 was a good year for the economy in the Ruhr region. This is shown by the Ruhr Economic Report 2022 in comparison with the rest of the country and Germany. The Ruhr Economic Report is published annually by Business Metropole Ruhr.

 

Lead markets at a glance   

 

Resilience and stable growth

In the Metropole Ruhr, a total of just under 1.85 million people were employed subject to social insurance contributions. This is a historic high since 1976 and corresponds to an increase of 38,527 employees compared to the previous year (+2.1 %). This means that employment growth in the Metropole Ruhr in 2022 (+2.1 %) is above the national level (1.9 %) and the comparative value for Germany (+1.9 %).

The share of over-55s in the workforce in the Ruhr region rose to 21.7 % in 2022. The increase in absolute terms was 85.2% compared with 2010.

Employment growth is evident in all lead markets. Six of the nine lead markets recorded stronger growth in 2022 than at the state and national level. This includes the lead market of education & knowledge (+4,137; +4.4%). The above-average growth since 2014: 19.6% (+15,933 SRP) makes the transformation of the Metropole Ruhr into a knowledge metropolis particularly clear.

Accordingly, employment growth in the lead markets Leisure & Events (+5,626; +7.1%) and also the Industrial Core (+7,153; +2.2%) was also above the state and national trends. The job-intensive lead market Health, which accounts for 19.9% of total employment, posted growth of 1.6% (+5,687).

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1.85 Mio. Employees subject to social security contributions +2.1 %
+4.4 % Employment growth in the lead market education & knowledge
30.8 % Proportion of academic employees in the digital communications lead market

Plus in new training contracts

"The competitiveness of business in the Ruhr region is currently being severely tested. The very high electricity prices and the escalating bureaucratic obligations are the biggest business risks. In addition, many companies are already unable to meet their demand for skilled workers. It is therefore important to invest in dual vocational training. With a total of 13,044 new training contracts as of August 1, the Ruhr Chambers of Industry and Commerce were able to record an increase of more than 6% compared to the previous year." 

Stefan SchreiberChief Executive Officer of the Dortmund Chamber of Industry and Commerce and Chairman of the BMR Advisory Board

Overview: Development of lead markets in the Ruhr region

Discover the following key figures per lead market in comparison to the previous year:

 

  • Employees subject to social security contributions
  • Sales
  • Employed
  • Number of companies
Education and knowledge
97.348 Employees subject to social security contributions (p.y. to 2021: +4.4 %)
1.22 Mrd. Euro sales 2021 (vs. 2020: -3.7%)
150.244 Employees in 2022 (compared with 2021: +4.4 %)
2.653Company 2021 (vs. 2020: -1.0%)
Digital communication
65.353Employees subject to social security contributions in 2022 (compared with 2021: +3.3%)
12.57 Mrd. Euro sales 2021 (vs. 2020: +16.2 %)
87.511 Employees in 2022 (compared with 2021: +3.3 %)
6.929 Company 2021 (vs. 2020: +3.2 %)
Leisure and events
84.361Employees subject to social security contributions 2022 (vs. 2021: +7.1 %)
12.58 Mrd. Euro sales 2021 (vs. 2020: +5.1 %)
119.863 Employees in 2022 (compared with 2021: +7.1 %)
19.049 Companies 2021 in the Metropole Ruhr (compared to 2020: -3.9 %)
Health
367.365 Employees subject to social security contributions in 2022 (compared with 2021: +1.6%)
34.14 Mrd. Euro sales 2021 (vs. 2020: +38.8 %)
545.754 Employees in 2022 (compared to 2021: +1.6%)
8.365 Company 2021 (vs. 2020: -2.6%) 
Mobility
193.012 Employees subject to social security contributions 2022 (vs. 2021: +2.2%) 
34.75 Mrd.  Euro sales 2021 (vs. 2020: +4.6%) 
261.410 Employees in 2022 (compared to 2021: +2.2%)
16.012 Company 2021 (vs. 2020: -1.0%) 
Sustainable consumption
126.864Employees subject to social security contributions 2022 
71.32 Mrd.Euro sales 2021 (vs. 2020: +3.4%)
174.617 Employees in 2022 (compared with 2021: +3.0%)
8.956 Company 2021 (vs. 2020: -1.9%) 
Resource efficiency
77.750 Employees subject to social security contributions in 2022 (compared with 2021: +0.6%)
93.67 Mrd.Euro sales 2021 (vs. 2020: +15.5 %) 
88.825Employees in 2022 (compared with 2021: +0.6%) 
9.092 Company 2021 (vs. 2020: +1.5 %)
Urban Building & Living
214.788Employees subject to social security contributions in 2022 (compared with 2021: +2.8%) 
44.40 Mrd. Euro sales 2021 (vs. 2020: +3.6%)
286.996 Employees in 2022 (compared with 2021: +2.8 %) 
40.124 Company 2021 (vs. 2020: +0.6%) 
Industrial Core & Entrepreneurial Services
331.499Employees subject to social security contributions 2022 (vs. 2021: +2.2%)
85.78 Mrd. Euro sales 2021 (vs. 2020: +19.4 %) 
421.013 Employees in 2022 (compared to 2021: +2.2%)
19.470 Company 2021 (vs. 2020: +/-0.0%)

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Overview: Development of lead markets in the Ruhr region

Discover the following key figures per lead market in comparison to the previous year:

 

  • Employees subject to social security contributions
  • Sales
  • Employed
  • Number of companies

About the Ruhr Economic Report

The Ruhr Economic Report has been published by BMR since 2011. It shows the current regional economic indicators in the eight lead markets and the Industrial Core. The economic report underwent some content renewals in 2022. For the first time, the employment of women and foreign employees was examined in addition to the lead markets. For the first time, the development of part-time employment and qualification levels was also part of the analysis.

 

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Your contact for the Ruhr 2022 Economic Report

Benjamin LegrandHead of
Corporate Communications, Press Spokesman