Guben on the upswing: trial living against demographic decline!

Guben on the upswing: trial living against demographic decline!

On the streets of Brandenburg, the weather doesn't seem particularly inviting at this time of year. The recent black ice accident has led to numerous traffic disruptions in the region. Since Friday evening, freezing water has turned the streets into slippery slides, prompting many citizens to be more careful when traveling. While some want to escape the winter gray, others show lively activities in the region.

A particularly exciting project is the “test living” in Guben, which gives those interested the opportunity to get to know the city and perhaps even set up their tents there for the long term. This initiative is intended to counteract the decline in population numbers in East Germany. According to the initiators, selected applicants can live in Guben free of charge for two weeks from January to March 2025 to discover the city's advantages. Anika Franze, who runs the program, moved from East Berlin to Guben eight months ago to escape the hustle and bustle of the capital. She enjoys living out a childhood dream of horse riding in the quieter surroundings.

Demographic challenges in Guben

The city of Guben currently has only 16,600 inhabitants, a dramatic decline compared to almost 30,000 thirty years ago. The aging society in the region is further exacerbated by falling birth rates and the migration of young people. Mayor Fred Mahro emphasizes that an entire generation is missing, which is clear with the high average age of 58 years. Demographic development poses challenges not only for Guben but for the whole of East Germany, as destatis.de explains in detail.

There have already been encouraging signs in recent years: more than 40 applications from various countries, including Brazil and Egypt, demonstrate growing interest in living in Guben. This is in the context of a general immigration trend that can be observed not only in Guben, but in Germany as a whole. More than 11.4 million people have immigrated to Germany since reunification, according to current reports from destatis.de.

Political developments and social challenges

Another aspect that concerns the population in Guben is the political climate. In the last federal election, a remarkable 39 percent voted for the AfD, which is considered right-wing extremist. Nevertheless, Anika Franze shows that more than 60 percent of voters voted for moderate parties. This indicates that despite the extreme political fringe, there are efforts to reduce prejudices and promote a welcoming culture.

At the same time, it is clear that immigration is often viewed as an opportunity to maintain prosperity in Germany. This could be an important perspective for regions like Guben, where the decline in population is putting a strain on the economic and social fabric. The integration challenges should not be underestimated, but the influx of young and dynamic people, especially from abroad, can help bridge the gap between generations.

The coming weeks promise not only political reviews, but also social events. A football tournament will take place on Saturday in the Brandenburghalle in Frankfurt (Oder) for a good cause, in which eight teams from the region will take part. This shows that despite the winter cold, social encounters and community spirit are also very important.

The developments in Guben could therefore be a sign that the demographic challenge can be successfully met with creative concepts and an open-minded society.