How is the Savinjsko-Šaleška Region changing during the energy transition? What are the demographic, economic, and environmental trends in the region, and what challenges and opportunities await it in the coming years?
These questions are addressed in the publication *SAŠA Region: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow*, which provides a comprehensive overview of the region’s development based on selected statistical indicators for the period from 2015 to 2025. The analysis was prepared as part of the activities of the SAŠA Center for Just Transition and serves as a technical basis for monitoring the effects of the coal region’s restructuring and planning its future development.
The publication addresses four key areas: society, the economy, energy, and the environment. Among the more significant findings is the fact that while the region’s population has been growing over the past decade, it is aging at an accelerated rate. The average age of the population has increased by about two years over the past decade, which poses new challenges in the areas of healthcare, social welfare, and ensuring an adequate workforce.
In terms of the labor market, the analysis shows a relatively favorable situation. The region’s main employment centers remain Nazarje, Velenje, and Ljubno, which also attract workers from surrounding municipalities. The unemployment rate has been declining over the past decade, while the share of the economically active population remains comparable to the Slovenian average. At the same time, the data confirm a gradual decline in the number of jobs in mining, while the energy sector remains an important economic activity and a development opportunity for the region.
Positive trends are also evident in the field of education. The proportion of the population with higher and advanced education is increasing, while the proportion of those with no education or only a primary school education is decreasing. This represents an important foundation for the region’s successful economic transformation, as future development trends will require ever-greater levels of knowledge, innovation, and professional expertise.
The publication also devotes special attention to health indicators. The data show an increase in sick leave, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of long-term sick leaves is also on the rise, which poses a significant challenge for both employers and the healthcare system.
The economic section of the analysis confirms that, despite restructuring, the region retains a strong industrial base. Among the most important sectors are manufacturing, trade, construction, professional and technical services, and energy. The data show growth in the number of companies, value added, and productivity, indicating a solid foundation for further economic transformation.
In the energy sector, the analysis highlights the significant growth of solar power plants. The number of solar power plants and their total capacity are growing rapidly in the region, confirming that renewable energy sources are becoming one of the key elements of the SAŠA region’s future development. Solar energy represents an important part of the transition from a coal-based to a low-carbon society and opens up opportunities for new investments, jobs, and greater energy independence.
The publication thus offers a comprehensive overview of the current state and development trends in the Savinja-Šaleška region and serves as an important foundation for shaping development policies, projects, and measures within the framework of a just transition. At the same time, it clearly shows that, despite numerous challenges, the region also has many development advantages and great potential for a successful, sustainable, and inclusive future.