Strukturschwachen

Strukturschwachen is the declined form of the German adjective strukturschwach and is used to describe regions, economies, or sectors that suffer from structural weakness. In policy discourse it appears in phrases like strukturschwache Regionen or strukturschwache Wirtschaftsräume to denote long-standing disadvantages in a region’s production structure.

Structural weakness refers to persistent factors that limit potential growth and development, independent of economic cycles. It encompasses mismatches between an area’s economic base, population, institutions, and infrastructure, and its ability to adapt to changing technologies or global competition. These weaknesses are not primarily the result of short-term downturns but of structural transitions and constraints.

Indicators often used to assess structural weakness include GDP per capita relative to the national or EU average, unemployment and long-term unemployment rates, the share of high-productivity or knowledge-intensive sectors, population decline or aging, skill levels and training opportunities, and the quality of infrastructure and digital connectivity.

Policy relevance: The concept underpins regional policy in the EU and national strategies. Structurally weak regions are common targets for cohesion funding and national investment programs aimed at diversification, modernization of infrastructure, education, innovation, and support for business development to reduce persistent disparities.

Regional scope: In Germany and other countries, the term is used to describe rural areas, peripheries, and certain industrial regions undergoing structural transition. It signals a need for reform measures beyond reacting to cyclical downturns and for long-term structural investment.

Etymology and usage: The base word is strukturschwach. Strukturschwachen is the attributive form used to agree with the noun it modifies in contexts requiring a declined adjective.