Offenbach's economic recovery continues for the time being
21.11.2025
Offenbach's economic upward trend is continuing for the time being. This positive development was already apparent in the spring of this year when the figures for the reporting date of June 30, 2024 were published and Offenbach had more jobs than it had had for 33 years. The December figures confirm the trend: as of December 31, 2024, there were 53,296 jobs in Offenbach. Lord Mayor and Head of Economic Affairs Dr. Felix Schwenke makes it clear: "The last time we had more jobs was in 1975, so we have more jobs in our city than we have had for 49 years. It's far from all good, but the best figure for 49 years is not just some random side note. It is a strong sign that our very clear economic strategy and our work based on it are leading to measurable success. We are slowly regaining a perspective. Ultimately, this will help the citizens of Offenbach." Schwenke expressly thanks all employees in the city administration and city group, who are making a dedicated contribution to this development in many areas.
However, precisely because the figures are currently objectively good, it is particularly important for Mayor Schwenke to paint a complete picture. "The very positive development must therefore be put into perspective," says Schwenke.
"Continue to work consistently - there is still a lot to do"
"The first classification is: Germany has been in a crisis for so long that it is highly likely that we will also experience a setback. Anything else would be a complete surprise." The second classification shows why, in the view of Mayor Schwenke, Offenbach must continue to work consistently on its economic recovery and is still a long way from reaching its goal. It is about the ratio of jobs to inhabitants, the so-called employment density. At the end of December 2024, it was 36.6 percent and thus significantly below the figure of 45 percent in 1975 (at that time, only the reference date of June 30 was available). "Here, too, Offenbach achieved the highest value in 13 years, and the downward trend that has been in place for years has been broken. But: "Here you can see why champagne won't be flowing out of our taps any time soon," explains Schwenke and emphasizes: "There is still a lot to do."
Positive: Many new settlements not yet included in figures
However, there is also a positive side to the figures. The current figures do not yet include any developments from 2025, particularly from the very important positive second half of 2025. For example, Samson opened its first plant, the electronic parts production facility, in late summer. The first employees of the globally active industrial company are already in Offenbach today. However, they will not yet be included in the upcoming figures as at June 30, 2025 and will therefore not be able to prevent a setback expected as a result of the economy. These jobs will first become visible in the statistics from the reporting date of December 31, 2025. By then, Lorenz Snack-World will also have moved into its new headquarters in the Kaiserlei district and will also be part of the jobs in Offenbach. "There is therefore a high probability that Offenbach as a whole will remain on a positive path in terms of trade tax and jobs, and not as the dreaming of a Lord Mayor, but on the basis of developments that have already been secured."
In the years to come, not only are more Samson jobs to be expected. The biotech company BioSpring also celebrated its ground-breaking ceremony in July 2025, car manufacturer BYD is relocating its German headquarters to Offenbach and IT service provider Pan Dacom has at least started preparatory earthworks for the construction of its new company headquarters in Offenbach. "The recent relocations in particular are also bringing new and highly qualified (industrial) jobs to Offenbach. Exactly what has been missing for a long time," emphasizes Schwenke. "It is also an enormous image boost for the city that more and more corporate headquarters are once again finding their home in Offenbach."
Background information on data collection:
Extensive historical labor market data from the Federal Employment Agency was compiled by the Economic Development and Statistics Department. As the Federal Employment Agency only collected data for June 30 until 1976 and only for December 31 from 1977 onwards, all data for December 31 is only available retroactively up to 1977. The historical data from the Federal Employment Agency for this reference date was last compiled by the city's specialist departments. This means that the city has a data set from the Federal Agency as a basis for a reliable comparison. In addition, all data from the Federal Agency as of June 30, retroactively back to 1970, has been available to the city for some time.
Background information on the relationship between jobs / trade tax / KFA:
How is it possible for Mayor Schwenke to describe this positive development and for City Treasurer Wilhelm to speak of "difficult years"? One part of the answer is the employment density already described. Another part of the answer is the relationship between the financial income from the record number of jobs and the financial dependence on the overall economic situation through the municipal financial equalization scheme (KFA). The result of Offenbach's own efforts can be seen not only in jobs but also in trade tax: here, the city is heading towards a trend of just over 100 million euros - a significant overall increase compared to the past.
However, an even more important source of income is the municipal financial equalization system (KFA), which, in addition to a number of political decisions, is also dependent on the fiscal strength of the state of Hesse. This reflects the overall situation in Germany with the recession and the past years of high inflation, which has significantly increased the price level at all levels. Although the city received a total of 250 million euros from the KFA in 2025, this sum could not even compensate for inflation since 2020, let alone the additional costs caused by the city's additional compulsory tasks. The ratio of "external dependency" (KFA) to "benefit of own work" (trade tax) is currently still 2.5 to 1. This is also set to improve in the long term thanks to the city's active economic policy.
