Small urbanisation – an examination of the internal development of suburban cities reveals the places of growth within the city

The population development of Finland’s 56 regional cities has been negative in the 2010s. However, it is possible to describe demographic development in more detail at the local level, ie to find out the internal development of suburban cities. A closer look at the statistics shows whether there is growth within the wider shrinking area, the so-called small urbanisation, for example in the central city or in other regional centers.

We carry out a statistical review for the Association of Finnish Municipalities, which describes the trend of population development in regional cities. The statistical components describe the population development in the region and the factors that contributed to it, ie birth rates, mortality rates and migration. The aim is to form a diverse “big picture” of developments within regional cities, possible similarities and differences. In addition to the statistical sub-regional analysis, in order to describe the micro-locations of each city, a survey of the municipality’s population development is also carried out based on 1 x 1 km population squares, which reveal the growing and shrinking areas within each municipality.

In-depth analysis of the internal development of the municipality

Each regional city can also order a separate in-depth analysis of the internal development of the municipality. The in-depth analysis will continue the municipal analysis described above by increasing the level of accuracy and introducing new variables that will provide more accurate information on intra-municipal demographics and population dynamics during the 2010s.

The in-depth analysis includes:

    • In-depth demographic analysis. The formation of demographic development within the municipality is examined on an annual basis by component for each of the areas examined. On the basis of an in-depth examination of demographic development, an accurate picture is created of the formation of demographic development within the municipality and of the changes that have taken place in the area during the 2010s. This will also make it possible to refine the demographic and demographic picture of the whole city.
    • A more detailed migration analysis by sub-region. The detailed migration analysis describes e.g. the age, language and education structure of inter-municipal migration by sub-area, and intra-municipal and intra-provincial migration by sub-area (from which sub-area / from which municipalities in the same province people move to each sub-area). A more detailed migration analysis adds information on who and from where is moving to the municipality and to where the (out)migration is directed
    • An in-depth analysis of the current state and changes in demography. This detailed analysis of the current state and changes in demography describes the age structure of the population in the sub-areas of the municipality and changes in the age structure in the 2010s in more precise age groups (which can be agreed according to the municipality’s needs). In addition, according to the needs of the municipality, it is possible to describe separately the development and age structure of the Finnish-, Swedish- and foreign-speaking population by sub-area. In the detailed analysis of the current state and changes in demography, maps based on spatial data describe the demographic differences and development within the municipality in the population development of those under 15, 15–64 and over 65. The maps show, in 1 x 1 km squares, the quantitative development of these age groups during the 2010s. It is possible to perform the review with a more detailed (250 m x 250 m) review, if the subscriber has, for example, available communicty structure data.
    • Characteristics and needs of a regional city. In the in-depth analysis, it is possible to take into account the characteristics and needs of each regional city in more detail: the division of areas within the municipality, age categories and variables can be modified as far as possible. The price for a closer examination is € 5,000 + VAT / regional city.

Additionally, there is an option to make an internal population forecast for the area and possible scenarios for future development. The population forecast and scenarios would be based on the MDI population forecast, which can be modified to correspond to Statistics Finland’s population forecast. Scenarios can be based on the impact of potential investments, an increase in attractiveness, an increase in the birth rate, or other factors that the municipality sees as meaningful. The cost of compiling the sub-regional population forecast and scenarios is € 5,000 + VAT / regional city.