Bavaria is growing! Unterallgäu is booming, Wunsiedel is shrinking – insight into the future

Bavaria is growing! Unterallgäu is booming, Wunsiedel is shrinking – insight into the future

There's no question that something is happening in Bavaria! According to that State Office for Statistics The population in the Free State will grow by around 560,000 people by 2043, which corresponds to an increase of 4.3 percent. The Unterallgäu region in particular stands out, as an impressive increase of 13.6 percent is expected here, which corresponds to around 20,000 new residents. This development brings with it both opportunities and challenges, particularly in terms of infrastructure.

But it's not just the Lower Allgäu region that benefits. In Memmingen, the second strongest growth region, an increase of 11.2 percent is expected, i.e. around 5,000 additional citizens. Mayor Jan Rothenbacher (SPD) emphasizes how important living space and child care are in this advancing development. In contrast, the forecasts are bleak in Wunsiedel in Upper Franconia, where a decline of 7.3 percent is predicted.

Family structures and care space requirements

A look at the changes in family structures makes it clear that fewer and fewer people are able to take on the care of older relatives at home. The capacities of the district retirement home in Bad Wörishofen are currently overloaded. The district office therefore relies on forward-looking planning and includes the population forecasts already mentioned in the considerations for care places, transport routes and schools. However, District Administrator Alex Eder (FW) also sees the influx in Lower Allgäu as an opportunity to improve the labor market.

The district administrator of Wunsiedel, Peter Berek (CSU), must also have a “good hand”. Even if the forecasts do not bring about the desired turnaround, he sees them as a work order. In recent years, Wunsiedel has launched new facilities that give the region a breath of fresh air, such as a café with a roastery and an integrative bistro.

Historical roots and today's challenges

But how did this development come about? Interesting historical finds have been made in the Unterallgäu district. In 1934, the remains of a prehistoric elephant were discovered in a gravel pit in Benningen, showing the first traces of human life in this region. The story continues with settlement by the Romans, who built solid roads and stone buildings before the Alamanni and Swabians followed. These historical roots form the foundation for the region's cultural identity, which is still alive today.

The current demographic situation also has its downsides. While the Unterallgäu district and the city of Memmingen are flourishing, Wunsiedel is struggling with negative growth forecasts. In an environment in which, among other things, the price of housing is an issue, politics and administration have proven to be crucial in ensuring the long-term quality of life for all citizens in the region.

The coming years are likely to remain exciting as they will show whether the forecasts actually hold up to reality and how creative the municipalities are in overcoming the challenges. To be successful in this constantly changing environment, a clear plan and an open ear for the needs of the population are necessary.