Graphic: Cesar von Meissen
Adaptability as a key competence in the Ruhr area
Essen | Baldeneysee, March 13, 2025. In times of constant change, the people of the Ruhr region stand out with certain skills. They are not only perceived by others as particularly adaptable, but also rate themselves as such more frequently than average. This is the key finding of a recent representative survey conducted by the Allensbach Institute for Public Opinion Research on behalf of the Ruhr Regional Association. The study underscores the importance of mentality for coping with upcoming transformation processes and highlights adaptability and a willingness to change as crucial key characteristics.
The Mentality Atlas – Comparison of German Regions
The so-called Mentality Atlas compares, for the first time, self-perceptions and external perceptions in seven German regions: Bavaria, Berlin, Northern Germany, the Rhineland, the Ruhr area, Saxony, and Swabia. In terms of external perception of the characteristic "adaptability," the Ruhr area achieves a remarkable first place with 77 percent. This puts the region ahead of Berlin (74 percent) and the Rhineland (73 percent).
Flexibility and openness are in the DNA
„The decades-long transformation from mining to a green industrial region has shaped the people of the Ruhr area. This experience makes us a pioneer in dealing with change,“ explains Garrelt Duin, Regional Director of the Ruhr Regional Association, regarding the background. In contrast, southern Germany, especially Bavaria (60 percent) and Swabia (67 percent), is less frequently perceived as adaptable. Saxony, with only 52 percent, brings up the rear in this assessment.
Social competence as another success factor
Besides its adaptability, the Ruhr region also scores highly in terms of social competence (EQ). Directness (87 percent), openness towards others (82 percent), uncomplicated nature (75 percent), and a strong sense of community (85 percent) characterize the mentality of the Ruhr region, according to the study. These qualities are not only perceived from the outside but are also cited by the residents of the Ruhr region themselves as defining character traits.
„The uncomplicated nature and directness of the people in the Ruhr area are noticeable and are among our greatest strengths when it comes to tackling challenges,“ emphasizes Duin.
Location factors that are gaining in importance
In the context of growing challenges posed by digitalization, decarbonization, and demographic change, so-called "soft" location factors are gaining increasing importance. According to study author Dr. Wilhelm Haumann, the mentality of a region significantly influences how successfully people can be motivated to embrace change. Furthermore, it contributes to a location's attractiveness and quality of life. This is great news for a region that, thanks to these research findings, can now present itself with greater confidence compared to other regions nationwide, and whose residents, thanks to their skills, are likely to be among the most sought-after employees of the future. Also at Baldeneysee You can experience the mentality of the locals and perhaps even learn from them.
Study methodology
The results are based on a representative online survey of 2,918 participants aged 16 to 70 from across Germany. To better highlight regional differences, a disproportionately high number of people were surveyed in the regions under consideration. The weighting of the overall sample was adjusted accordingly. The assessment of mentality characteristics was based on a four-point response scale ("fully agree" to "not at all agree"). The published results are based on the agreement scores in the two positive categories.
