The Drava is used for the production of hydroelectricity and the fertile land around it is used for agriculture.

The share of job vacancies in all available jobs is among the highest in Slovenia and the region has a positive net migration rate but a very high natural decrease, which means an overall decrease in the population.

The Drava Statistical Region includes six cities and towns, the largest of which is Maribor.

[5] The Drava Statistical Region comprises the following 41 municipalities: The population in 2020 was 325,994.

It attracts only 3.2% of the total number of tourists in Slovenia, most being from foreign countries (68.9%).