Struggles Persist in Copenhagen to Retain Global Workforce
Denmark's capital, Copenhagen, welcomed a massive surge in international workers between 2012 and 2022, yet local businesses are battling to keep these skilled talents rooting in the city. Here's the scoop on who's coming, who's going, and why.
📈 The Numbers Game
Copenhagen has become a magnet for foreign workers, with numbers soaring to around 107,000 in 2022, almost double from a decade ago. Today, foreigners make up about 12% of the city's workforce, a significant leap from their previous share in Denmark as a whole 1.
The jobs these foreign workers secure have also moved up the ladder. In 2022, over 37% of foreign workers held long tertiary degrees or PhDs, a marked increase from the 23% in 2012 2.
🏃♀️ The Revolving Door
Copenhagen's success in enticing foreign workers doesn't seem to translate into long-term stays. Only half of those who arrived in 2017 were still in Denmark five years later, compared to 55% from the 2012 influx 1.
But the story is not entirely gloomy. Highly qualified international workers, defined as those whose income exceeded the pay limit threshold, saw a notable improvement in retention rates, with 45% of 2017 arrivals sticking it out compared to 34% in 2012 1.
However, the retention rate for other foreign workers dipped, plummeting from 58% for 2012 entrants to 51% for the 2017 group.
🌟 The Indians Take Over
The arrival of foreign workers in Copenhagen has witnessed a dramatic shift in origin countries. In 2022, India stood as the biggest source of new foreign workers, surpassing other nations and accounting for 5% of the international workforce 1.
India is particularly well-represented among the highly qualified international workforce, constituting 16% 1. Interestingly, the number of workers from the Philippines, Norway, and Sweden has waned, while countries like India and the United Kingdom have risen in the rankings.
💼 The Battle for Inclusion
Why are many international workers packing their bags and leaving Copenhagen? Asbjørn Overgaard, CEO of Copenhagen Capacity, a regional talent attraction and investment agency, points the finger at the sense of belonging 1.
He argues that some foreign workers feel alienated at work or in Danish society, leading them to seek opportunities elsewhere 1. Overgaard also hints at the challenging immigration policies enacted in 2015, which may have contributed to this issue 1.
🔄 The Escalation
The COVID-19 pandemic shrunk job opportunities in the restaurant and tourism industries, impacting retention rates during 2020 and 2021 1.
Additionally, Denmark's government revised work permit rules to favor more highly skilled and highly paid foreign workers 1.
🎯 The Shift in Partners' Employment
Copenhagen has made progress in overcoming one of the biggest challenges for international workers: job prospects for their partners. In the first year after immigrating, nearly 75% of accompanying partners seeking employment found jobs in 2022, a substantial rise from 59% in 2012 1.
Targeted career support programs for partners and a tight labor market have contributed to this positive shift 1.
What's the secret recipe for boosting Copenhagen's retention rates? Overgaard emphasizes the need to foster a more welcoming and inclusive environment for foreign workers, both at work and in their personal lives 1. Addressing the sense of belonging is crucial to making Copenhagen an even more attractive destination for international talent. 📝 Head over to our comments section and share your thoughts on this topic.
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- The tightening of immigration policies in 2025 may largely affect news articles covering space exploration, as many international scientists and researchers may find it difficult to immigrate and work on space projects in Denmark.
- In 2025, the lifestyle section of news outlets in Copenhagen may feature stories about the increasing number of internationals adopting a home-and-garden philosophy, focusing on the use of locally-sourced materials and energy-efficient solutions, especially those who have chosen to immigrate for long-term stays.
- EU immigration may significantly decrease in the future due to tightening policies, potentially causing shortages in the talent pool for the news, art, and space sectors in Copenhagen, leading to a need for innovative recruitment strategies.
- By 2025, Copenhagen households may see a shift towards a more sustainable living lifestyle, as immigrants bring their passion for home-and-garden solutions to Denmark, potentially contributing to the growth and popularity of the news, art, and space industries focused on these topics.
