“Rauma Remains Among the Successful Survivors” – Insights from Rauma’s 2025 Assessment Report
News
The Audit Committee of the City of Rauma has completed its assessment report for 2025. In the report, the committee states that, overall, the key objectives set by the City Council were achieved in 2025.
During the 2025 financial year, the City of Rauma recorded a surplus of €1.7 million. The result was influenced by factors such as lower tax revenue compared to the previous year, as well as a significant increase in loans and lease liabilities. As a result, the city’s financial outcome was €3.8 million weaker than in 2024.
– It has now become much more difficult to predict the future, as there are more challenging variables at play: tax revenue, changes in state subsidies, interest rates on debt, and an uncertain global situation that affects the economy in the background. Going forward, city management will need to polish the crystal ball used for forecasting very carefully, sums up Seppo Sattilainen, Chair of the Audit Committee.
The weak economic climate was reflected in Rauma in several ways, including a decline in construction activity, a decrease in the number of open job vacancies and an increase in the number of unemployed jobseekers. The city’s population decreased by 126 residents during the year and the number of pupils in comprehensive schools is also expected to decline in the coming years.
In addition, problems were encountered during the construction of the Karin kampus, which delayed the project. The swimming hall was not taken into use until March 2025, and defects and shortcomings identified during the warranty period are still being addressed on the campus.
– Rauma remains among the successful survivors. Due to major investments, continuously rising debt is one of the financial pitfalls that requires vigilance, Sattilainen notes.
Continued investment in vitality and attractiveness
Despite the challenges, 2025 saw a strong focus on advocacy, resident participation, as well as marketing and communications. A significant change was the transfer of employment services to municipal responsibility as of 1 January 2025. Rauma now serves as the responsible municipality for the South Satakunta employment area.
The City of Rauma has also continued major construction and renovation investments. According to Sattilainen, these are the result of decades of accumulated maintenance backlog that was not addressed in the past, as excessive savings were pursued.
At the same time, these corrective investments also bring economic benefits to Rauma in the form of procurement and employment. The most significant investment project of the year was the Nanu school and daycare centre, whose construction began ahead of schedule. The new wooden school and daycare complex in Uotila was completed on schedule, with costs remaining within the €24.3 million budget.
Rauma has also performed better than its size would suggest in many studies, surveys and assessments. In 2025, the city ranked well in the Kuntaranking and EVP index comparisons, where it was seen as vibrant and business-friendly. Tourist numbers are also on the rise, and tourism marketing was intensified during the year.
– A good reputation plays a major role in tourism, which in turn benefits trade and commerce. However, in terms of long-term attractiveness, the most important factor is attracting working-age families to move to Rauma. Vitality is also strengthened by ensuring that residents have access to sufficient services that are close by and reasonably priced, Sattilainen concludes.
