Stability and selective growth despite multiple crises   

The leading market of education and knowledge remains a key component of the knowledge economy in the Ruhr Metropolis. In 2023, the market comprised 2,791 companies (+2.4%) with a total turnover of around 1.33 billion euros (+4.7% compared to the previous year). The number of employees subject to social insurance contributions also rose slightly to over 99,000 (+0.9%). The location coefficient of 1.023 confirms the solid specialisation in a nationwide comparison.

The largest sub-sector developed very positively: pre-school education, schools and universities. The number of companies rose by 5.4%, turnover grew by 10% and employment also increased (+2.9% in early childhood education and +2.2% in schools and universities). The high location coefficient (over 1.08 and 1.13 respectively) underlines the above-average importance of this sector in the region – not least in view of the many municipal institutions, university locations and educational policy initiatives in the Ruhr area.

The picture is quite different in the research sector: although turnover remained almost stable (-0.4%), employment fell significantly (-5.5%), as did the number of companies (-2.6%). The low location coefficient of 0.444 indicates that the region is less specialised than average in the research sector. The decline could indicate expired funding programmes, project postponements or an insufficient number of research-intensive institutions settling in the region.

Neighbouring services – including private educational institutions, further education institutions and educational organisations – show moderate turnover growth (+3.6%) and slight company growth (+2.5%). At the same time, the number of employees subject to social insurance contributions fell by 2.7%. This discrepancy could be due to rationalisation, a shift towards freelance work or a decline in short-term funding programmes in adult education.

The leading market of digital communication remains a central component of economic modernisation in the Ruhr region. With total sales of just under 13 billion euros (+6.5%) in 2023 and slight employment growth of 1.4%, the market is confirming its role as a driver of transformation. A total of around 6,800 companies (+1.1%) are active in this sector.

The core area with the strongest growth is the software and data processing industry. Turnover rose by 9.6% to 5.78 billion euros, while the number of employees also increased by 2.6%. With over 42,000 employees subject to social insurance contributions, this is the most employment-intensive segment of the leading market. This development demonstrates the increasing relevance of digital solutions in business and administration, particularly in areas such as cloud technologies, IT security and platform economics.

The revenue development in telecommunications services is striking: up 18.0% with a slight decline in the number of companies. The number of employees also rose above average, by 12.7%. With a location coefficient of 1.001, the Ruhr metropolis is exactly in line with the national average – with noticeable potential for a stronger regional profile.

The IT hardware sector, on the other hand, shows a subdued development. Turnover rose marginally (+0.8%), while the number of companies fell slightly (-0.9%). Particularly striking is the significant decline in the number of employees (-8.4%), which could indicate automation, relocation of production steps or lower demand for classic hardware. The location coefficient of only 0.496 points to below-average specialisation of the region in this submarket.

Neighbouring services – such as retail, repair services and infrastructure services – developed steadily. Turnover rose by 5.3%, while employment remained largely constant (-0.3%). The slight expansion in the number of companies (+1.1%) indicates a fragmented supplier structure with low market access.

The leading leisure and events market in the Ruhr Metropolis continues to develop positively after pandemic-related slumps and is proving its growing relevance as an urban economic factor. The number of companies rose to over 20,100 (+1.5%) in 2023, with turnover reaching 14.8 billion euros (+4.4%). At the same time, there were over 87,700 employees subject to social insurance contributions (+2.0%). These figures demonstrate the market's regained momentum, even though structural challenges remain.

The cultural sector is showing significant growth: the number of companies increased by 5.1%, and turnover by a remarkable 23.6%. Employment also rose by 3.3%. This development reflects a growing cultural revival and the economic importance of cultural offerings in urban society – especially in a densely populated region with a wide variety of venues.

The audiovisual media sector is similarly dynamic. The number of companies rose by 13.9%, while turnover grew by 17.4%. Despite this upswing, the sector recorded a 7.0% decline in employment, which could indicate automation, project work or increasing concentration in the industry.

With around 11,500 companies and over 51,000 employees, the events, leisure, sports and tourism sector forms the economic backbone of the leading market. Turnover rose by 13.1% and employment by 3.3% – a welcome recovery driven by recurring major events, outdoor activities and tourist demand. However, the location coefficient of 0.826 shows that although the sector is relevant, it is below average in terms of specialisation compared to the rest of the country – there is potential for expansion here.

Neighbouring services – including publishing, leisure and cultural facilities – are stagnating. Turnover fell slightly (-0.5%), the number of companies declined by 0.5%, while employment remained almost constant (-0.1%). The figures point to a saturated market with selective pressure to adapt, particularly in brick-and-mortar retail and traditional leisure activities.

The industry sector in the leisure and events environment presents a mixed picture: although the number of companies rose by 5.7% and employment increased significantly by 7.6%, turnover fell by a quarter (-25.0%). This could indicate inventory reduction, volatile investment cycles or order shifts.

Amid ongoing structural change in the Ruhr metropolitan area, the healthcare market is increasingly establishing itself as a central anchor of the regional economic structure. The latest figures show that the healthcare market plays a key role not only because of its high number of employees, but also because of its robust sales. With over 378,000 employees subject to social insurance contributions (+1.8%) in 2024, the industry is proving to be comparatively resistant to economic cycles and a strong source of employment. The location coefficient of 1.152 also underlines the above-average importance of this sector for the region in a nationwide comparison.

Inpatient and outpatient care continues to represent the largest segment of the healthcare market with around 191,600 employees and is recording solid employment growth of 2.1%. At the same time, sales in this area increased by 2.1% to 8.56 billion euros – despite a slight decline in the number of companies (-0.4%). This imbalance points to ongoing consolidation and professionalisation in the healthcare sector, possibly in the wake of the hospital reform that is currently pending (due to come into force at the end of 2024) and growing pressure on smaller providers.

The segment of ‘related services’ such as sports, care and social services is proving surprisingly dynamic. Here, turnover rose by 10.3% – with slight company growth (1.5%). This trend reflects not only demographic developments with growing care needs, but also a growing market for health-related lifestyle services.

The strong increase in turnover for laboratory services (+20.6%) is also striking, despite declining company figures. This development can be explained by the ongoing expansion of molecular diagnostics and innovative testing methods, which have gained in importance since the pandemic. The pharmaceutical sector, on the other hand, is experiencing a decline in both companies (-16.7%) and turnover (-1.2%), which could indicate structural challenges such as supply chain problems or tighter regulatory conditions.

The overall view of the leading healthcare market shows a stable foundation: although the total number of companies fell slightly to 6,108 (-0.3%), total sales rose to 25.24 billion euros (6.9%). This divergence points to increasing efficiency and a focus on high-performing players. Against the backdrop of structural change in the Ruhr region and the transformation away from core industrial elements, specialisation in the healthcare industry represents an opportunity for sustainable, regional value creation.

Overall, the mobility market will remain stable in terms of its economic relevance in 2024: with a slight decline in the number of employees to 193,838 (-0.4%) and a marginal decline in the number of companies to 12,734 (-0.6%), the market's total turnover rose to over 35 billion euros (+3.3%).

The transport infrastructure submarket made a key contribution to revenue growth. With a 13.5% increase in revenue and an 8.5% increase in employment, it is one of the fastest-growing segments of the lead market. This reflects the strategic importance of infrastructure investments in the region – whether in the rail or road network, in multimodal transport hubs or in digital traffic control. The location coefficient of 1.001 also shows that the region is in line with the national average – with potential for further specialisation.

The situation is different in the traditional logistics sector. Despite a slight increase in turnover (+0.6%), the number of employees in mobility management and logistics fell by 2.7%. There may be many reasons for this: increased energy prices, the ongoing shortage of drivers, disruptive developments such as autonomous delivery and storage concepts, and a weaker order situation in international freight transport. With a location coefficient of 1.232, the region is above average in terms of specialisation, but at the same time particularly vulnerable to economic fluctuations.

Vehicle manufacturing is also showing modest growth. Although sales increased by 3.2%, company figures continue to decline (-1.4%). The 3.6% increase in employment indicates that larger companies in particular are growing – possibly due to a stronger focus on alternative drive systems or forward-looking niche products.

Positive signals are coming from knowledge-intensive services. The ‘laboratory, engineering and measurement services’ sector recorded sales growth of 6.2% and an increase in employment of 4.3%. This reflects the increasing importance of research, development and consulting in areas such as transport planning, low-emission mobility and automation. The service sector as a whole – including workshops, agencies and trade – is also robust and growing in terms of both turnover (+4.8%) and employment (+1.6%).

The leading market of ‘sustainable consumption’ is becoming increasingly important for the economy in the Ruhr region. With total sales of €78.2 billion (+6.1%) in 2023 and around 125,000 employees subject to social insurance contributions in 2024, this sector is proving to be resilient to economic fluctuations. The 6.1% growth in turnover within a year illustrates the increasing importance of consumer goods – not only as a social trend, but also as an economic opportunity. In 2023, the leading market counted 9,655 companies (+1.4%).

The largest sub-sector, retail trade in short-lived consumer goods, increased its turnover by 6.6% – with moderate employment growth of 0.7%. This sets the Ruhr Metropolis apart from the nationwide trend, where the retail sector is experiencing a decline in employment. The location coefficient of 1.127 also shows the region's above-average specialisation in this segment. This development is a reflection of a vibrant urban retail structure that is increasingly integrating sustainable product lines, second-hand offerings and circular economy business models.

In contrast, the production of short-lived consumer goods is stagnating. While employment is increasing slightly by 0.2%, sales are declining (-0.3%). The decline in the number of companies (-1.4%) suggests consolidation and rationalisation within the industry. With a location coefficient of 0.586, the region is well below the national average, indicating a lower industrial and agricultural focus in this area. The region's settlement structure underscores this aspect.

Neighbouring services are developing dynamically – for example in areas such as repair, consulting and digital trading platforms. The 7.0% increase in turnover and 1.0% rise in employment clearly show that consumption is increasingly characterised by accompanying services. This opens up opportunities for smaller providers, innovative business models and locally anchored value chains.

The development in the area of ‘processes, materials and substances’ is also particularly noteworthy: with sales growth of 9.0%, this area is a dynamic element of the market, even though employment is declining slightly (-2.1%). The figures point to technological modernisation and efficiency gains, for example in material recycling or the packaging industry.

The leading market for resource efficiency in the Ruhr area continues to be on a clear growth path. With a total turnover of over 133 billion euros (+7.5%) in 2023 and 82,189 employees (+3.4%), the sector proves its leading role for ecological transformation and regional value creation. The number of companies rose to 6,879 (+2.3%). The high location coefficient of 1.334 underlines the above-average importance of the market for the region.

The area of energy production and distribution is particularly noteworthy: with a growth in employment of 7.7% - well above the federal and state average - and a sales growth of 99% to 111.8 billion euros, this sub-market is proving to be a stable backbone of resource efficiency. The location coefficient of 1.577 shows that Metropole Ruhr has clear specialisation advantages here.

The water sector is also on a robust development path, with sales and employment up by 10.6% and 3.7%, respectively. This increase demonstrates the growing importance of sustainable water use, treatment and infrastructure, especially in the urban-industrial context of the region.

The environment and recycling sector, on the other hand, shows an uneven development. Despite a slight decline in turnover of 2.2%, the number of employees increased by 4.1% - a sign that the market is structurally stabilising, although temporary demand or price declines may have taken effect.

The development of neighbouring services (trade and maintenance) is critical: both turnover (-7.7 %), employment (-6.9 %) and number of companies (-1.6 %) have fallen significantly. The causes are likely to lie in changed value chains, digitalization pressure and a concentration in favor of specialized providers.

The Machinery and Materials division is developing positively: sales increased by 13.5%, while employment rose by 3.3%. This demonstrates the innovative strength of the region, especially in the context of energy-efficient production solutions. Knowledge-intensive services (laboratory, engineering and measurement) are also showing moderate growth - both in enterprises and employment (+3.1%).

The leading market, Urbanes Bauen & Wohnen, is traditionally one of the pillars of the Ruhr economic area. With more than 208,000 employees subject to social security contributions (-1.1%) in 2024 and a total turnover of more than 49 billion euros (5.1%), it occupies a central place both in the value added and in the labour market structure. Nevertheless, the current figures reveal a mixed development, indicating structural adjustments and economic challenges.

Despite moderate growth in the number of companies 39,687 (+1.1%) and a solid 5.1% year-on-year increase in sales, employment in the core market fell by 1.1% - a decline that is weaker than in the national comparison. This finding suggests that efficiency gains and automation are gaining in importance, while labour shortages and investment restraint dampen personnel growth.

Particularly striking is the decline in the number of employees in the construction industry (-2.7%) and in the finishing industry (-0.6%), although sales in both sub-sectors were 8.1% or more. 5.2% have increased. This discrepancy points to increases in productivity, for example through the increasing use of modular construction methods, as well as price developments following inflation and increased material costs.

The largest growth in enterprises was recorded by the services sector around trade, rental and administration (+1.9%), which also grew strongly on the revenue side (+6.1%). This reflects the growing importance of services close to housing, such as facility management, but also the high demand for administrative and brokerage services in the context of housing shortages.

While industrial supply segments such as materials (-2.0% turnover; -3.0% employees) or machinery and tools (-2.1% turnover; -4.5% employees) are in decline, only the architecture and engineering sector is as well as sales (+0.2%) slightly up. This indicates an increasing importance of planning and project management skills in the course of the energetic and digital transformation of construction.

With a location coefficient of 0.977, the leading market for urban construction and housing in the Ruhr metropolitan area is slightly below the national average - an indication that the region does not have any special specialisation advantages here. Nevertheless, the sector is an important pillar in the regional labour market and offers potential for future-oriented development - for example by promoting sustainable building methods, the expansion of digital planning processes and the strengthening of skilled service occupations in the area of housing and urban development.

With a turnover of 78.1 billion euros (-5.9%), the leading market for industrial core and entrepreneurial services accounts for around 18% of economic output in the Ruhr region. The number of companies rose slightly to 19,239 (+1.0%) in 2023, but overall sales were down 5.9% year-on-year. The declines were particularly pronounced in materials, where sales fell by 9.6%, while the number of companies also declined. In the area of machines and processes, although there was a slight increase in sales, employment and company figures also decreased. Only business-related services recorded an increase in sales of 6.1% with a slight increase in the number of companies.

Employment subject to social security contributions in the core market as a whole fell to 329,497 (-1.1%). Business-related services were particularly affected, with a decline of 1.3%. Employment in the materials and materials sector also decreased slightly (-0.9%), while the machinery and processes sector showed a more moderate decline of 0.6%. Thus, the loss of employment in the region is slightly lower than in the federal government (-1.5%) and in NRW (-1.7%), which indicates a certain stability of the industrial backbone in the Ruhr metropolis.

This robustness is due, among other things, to the location-specific advantages of the region. With more than five million inhabitants, the Ruhr metropolis has one of the largest urban-industrial conurbations in Europe, with a deeply rooted industrial tradition, a dense network of universities, Research centres and specialised services. Cities such as Duisburg, Hagen or Mülheim an der Ruhr and the Ennepe-Ruhr district in particular have a high degree of industrial specialisation, which can now prove to be a potential location advantage for changing towards climate-friendly industries. Topics such as the hydrogen economy, the industrial circular economy or Industry 4.0 offer approaches for new technological growth paths. At the same time, the spatial proximity between production, business-related services, start-ups and scientific institutions favours the emergence of dynamic innovation ecosystems.