The City of Rauma requests a more detailed analysis of the Municipal Barometer 2026 data
News
The City of Rauma takes seriously the results of the Municipal Barometer 2026 survey by the Suomen Yrittäjät, Federation of Finnish Enterprises, in which Rauma’s ranking has declined significantly compared to previous years. The City will request a more detailed analysis of the data to ensure that the results can be assessed as reliably as possible. The findings of this year’s survey do not support the positive view held by local Rauman Yrittäjät and Satakunnan Yrittäjät regarding Rauma’s business-friendliness. Rauman Yrittäjät and Satakunnan Yrittäjät represent and advocate for the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises in Rauma and Satakunta.
Rauma has performed well in previous Municipal Barometer surveys, and the results have been systematically used to support the city’s development work. Based on earlier findings, the City has further improved, among other things, the smoothness of business services, communications, and permit and zoning processes.
In line with its city strategy, Rauma has promoted entrepreneurship in an open-minded and innovative way. Examples of this work include the Business Rauma operating model, the International House Rauma service, and the Pitsikaupungin joulu event concept.
Focus on the background of the results
This year’s Municipal Barometer results show a clear shift compared to previous developments. In the City of Rauma’s view, such a significant change requires a closer examination of the underlying data and response distribution.
The Municipal Barometer is an important tool for the City of Rauma in developing business services, and the results are carefully reviewed across different sectors within the organisation. The survey link has been openly accessible, and no authentication has been used to verify respondents’ municipal affiliation or individual responses. For this reason, the City of Rauma will request further analysis of the data in order to examine the background factors and response distributions in detail.
Close cooperation with businesses at the core
According to Mayor of Rauma Esko Poikela, the city’s development is based on close dialogue with local businesses.
– We have actively developed our services in recent years based on the results of previous barometers. That is why this year’s result raises questions, and we want to understand its background thoroughly. Listening to the experiences of entrepreneurs is essential to us, and we develop our operations together with businesses, says Poikela.
Poikela emphasises that a business-friendly operating culture is built over the long term.
– The key lies in everyday cooperation – direct contact, open dialogue, and finding solutions together with entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs do not recognise the situation
Joonas Lauronen, Chair of Rauman Yrittäjät, considers that this year’s results do not reflect the association’s experience of cooperation between businesses and the city.
– We do not recognise this level of dissatisfaction within the local business community in Rauma. In our discussions, we have not encountered a sentiment that would correspond to the results of this year’s barometer, which is why it is important to examine them more closely, Lauronen states.
The results for Rauma in the Municipal Barometer came as a complete surprise to Satakunnan Yrittäjät. The organisation will call for a more detailed analysis to clarify any potential inconsistencies.
– This result does not support the understanding and perception we have of Rauma as a business-oriented city. It is also in clear contradiction with other indicators followed by the entrepreneurs’ organisation, such as the Entrepreneurially Active Municipality survey or municipal rankings. Despite the result, the overall perception of Rauma among local businesses remains strongly that of a business-friendly partner. The Municipal Barometer has been one of the most important strategic indicators for regional development in Satakunta, and it has supported long-term and successful development work in municipalities and cities over the years, says Kari Varis, CEO of Satakunnan Yrittäjät.
The City of Rauma will continue to develop its business services and operating environment in cooperation with entrepreneurs. The results of the Municipal Barometer will continue to be used as a basis for development work.
