Population projection for Malax Municipality

The Municipality of Malax required some insight into future population development scenarios for its different areas and localities within the broader Vaasa region. MDI produced an analysis of the municipality’s actual development, both at the municipal level and across its different areas, along with a forecast of future development for the municipality and its sub-areas.

The analysis of actual development covered population development for the municipality as a whole, its underlying drivers, and the municipality’s position within domestic migration. In addition, the analysis examined the actual population development of the municipality’s different localities and sparsely populated areas, and their position within both inter-municipal and intra-municipal migration. Among the other findings, the analysis identified a divergence in population development between the main locality and the rest of the municipality, driven by migration patterns.

Based on the analysis of actual development, a model of future development for the municipality and its sub-areas was built covering the years 2025–2050. The forecast took into account planned construction as well as area-specific differences in development. The result was a forecast that captures the distinctive characteristics of each area and their future development.

The results were delivered in the form of a PowerPoint report addressing, among other things, the divergent nature of development across the studied areas and the projected development of different age groups. The report was presented to the municipal council and was also translated into Swedish by MDI.