Lahti’s Business-Friendliness Continues to Improve – LADEC’s Recommendation Rate Highest Among Large Cities

26.11.2025

The overall perception of Lahti as a business environment among business decision-makers has improved slightly compared to last year. In an image comparison of cities with over 100,000 residents, Lahti ranks 4th.
 

Lahti’s business-friendliness has developed positively over the past two years. The city now ranks 3rd among cities with over 100,000 residents and 2nd within its comparison group, which includes Tampere, Kuopio, Jyväskylä and Vantaa.

This information comes from Taloustutkimus’ Municipal Image 2025 survey, which included 54 of Finland’s largest municipalities and their economic development companies. The respondents were 2,034 business decision-makers, 93 of whom were from Lahti.

One of Lahti’s strengths is also its responsiveness to business needs, which was measured for the first time this year.

“We rank first in responsiveness both among large cities and within our comparison group. This excellent result reflects the long-term work we have carried out in Lahti together with the city, group companies and partners,” says Lahti’s Director of Economic Development Miikka Venäläinen.

Lahti’s key strengths include the availability of business premises, smooth cooperation with the economic development company, business-friendliness and zoning policies that support business operations.

Compared to last year, significant improvement has occurred in city communications, zoning, and cooperation between businesses and the economic development company. Decision-makers’ willingness to recommend (NPS) has also increased for both the city and the economic development company. LADEC’s recommendation rate is the highest among large cities.

“We have risen consistently across almost all evaluations related to the business-friendliness of the city and region. University growth, new investments and, above all, a business-oriented attitude have strengthened the Lahti region’s position as a business location,” says LADEC’s CEO Tomi Tura.

Lahti’s areas for development include promoting international expertise and labour-based immigration as well as securing access to skilled labour, challenges shared by many cities.

Further Information

Miikka Venäläinen
Director of Economic Development | City of Lahti
044 018 7378

Tomi Tura
CEO | Lahti Region Development LADEC
050 323 1050