Internationals contributed 386 billion DKK to the economy last year
Last Week in Denmark (10.05-17.05) Episode 18 Year 6
What did we learn this week?
62% of the jobs created in Denmark in 2025 went to internationals.
Foreign Ministry warns of major flight disruptions this summer.
Police are under fire after 13,000 cases were closed without investigation.
Letter from the editor
There is something almost ironic about the immigration debate in Denmark these days. On one hand, we are still often spoken about as a problem to manage. On the other hand, the economy is increasingly being held together by us.
This week, Dansk Erhverv published a report showing that internationals contributed 386 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP in 2025. A record. But the number that really stayed with me was something else: 62% of all new jobs created last year went to internationals. For four years in a row now, more than half of Denmark’s job growth has come from us.
Just pause for a second and think about that.
More than half.
And yet, if you followed parts of the political debate without looking at the numbers, you would think we were sitting somewhere on the edge of society instead of helping keep entire sectors running.
The truth is that internationals are no longer some temporary workforce filling random gaps here and there. We are nurses keeping hospitals functioning. We are people pouring concrete on construction sites in the rain at six in the morning. We are IT specialists, cleaners, chefs, researchers, warehouse workers, drivers, and entrepreneurs. We are also parents at school pick-up, volunteers at local events, and people trying to build a life here, just like everyone else.
And Denmark needs us more than many are willing to admit publicly.
The report makes that very clear. The country is facing a demographic reality where there will simply be fewer working-age people in the years ahead. That is not ideology. That is mathematics.
What I sometimes find missing from this conversation is honesty. If internationals contribute hundreds of billions to the economy, if we drive most of the recent job growth, and if businesses openly say they cannot find enough workers without international recruitment, then maybe the national conversation should start reflecting that reality a bit more clearly.
Not because internationals need applause every morning before work. Most people did not move here to become heroes of the labor market. They moved for opportunity, safety, love, stability, or simply a better future.
But perhaps it is time for Denmark to stop speaking about us mainly as people who are “allowed” to be here and start recognizing us as people actively helping build the country’s future alongside everyone else.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Narcis George Matache, Executive Editor, LWID
P.S - Come to Aalborg next Saturday (May 23) for the biggest street party/carnival in Scandinavia. The theme for the party is “Without You there is no Us”.
Our long-form articles this week…
The Cultural Explorer’s Diary: Power, Sisterhood, and Survival in The Daughters of Lear by Paulina Stachnik
Sankt Hans Aften: a summer tradition by Sigga Hansen
Uncovering Denmark’s Viking Past: Five Forts To Explore by Sudaay Tat Haznedar
Becoming a Tour Guide in Denmark: Internationals can do it too! by Daniel Sfita
Want to dig deeper into the latest news? Check out the Last Week in Denmark podcast. New episodes drop on all podcast apps and YouTube every Wednesday. Follow us now so you don’t miss it.
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Image(s) of the Week
📸 The week in images from the weather photographers.
Danish Politics HQ
Political scene
🚔 A major investigation into police practices has triggered unusually harsh criticism from state auditors, who warn that the mishandling of thousands of criminal cases risks damaging public trust in the justice system. The investigation found that around 13,000 cases were closed without any investigative steps, even though victims were told investigations had taken place. Auditors also found examples of serious crimes being registered under milder legal categories, making them easier to close quickly. Politicians are now demanding reforms.
🛸 More than six months after the “drone panic” around airports and military sites, politicians are demanding answers that still have not arrived. A government report meant to explain the drone incidents was delayed just before the election and has still not been published. Critics now accuse the government of intentionally burying the report, especially after ministers previously used dramatic language like “hybrid warfare”. Some politicians are questioning whether there were any hostile drones at all, while others want clarification on reports that the military may have fired at what later turned out to be a passenger plane. The Defense Ministry says the report will only be released once a new government is formed.
📱 Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has apologized after saying at a conference on children and AI that she “would rather have her children smoke than be alone on social media.” The comment quickly sparked backlash from health experts and anti-smoking organizations, who argued the comparison downplayed the dangers of smoking. Frederiksen later clarified that she wanted to provoke a debate about how harmful social media can be for children and teenagers, not to encourage smoking.
🏛️ Lars Løkke Rasmussen is floating a new center coalition made up of the Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats), Venstre (Liberals), Moderaterne (Social Liberals), Konservative (Conservatives), and Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals). The proposed government would hold 93 seats and exclude both the far-left and DF (Nationalist Conservative), with Løkke explicitly ruling out governing alongside Morten Messerschmidt. Political commentators say this would be Løkke’s “dream government,” but doubts remain about whether such a broad centrist alliance can actually survive negotiations. For now, coalition talks continue.
💧 Venstre (Liberals) has made a major U-turn by backing a national pesticide spraying ban to protect groundwater, despite campaigning against the idea during the election. Troels Lund Poulsen said he had “reflected” after the poor election result and was now willing to “bend” politically to secure cleaner drinking water. The move is widely seen as an olive branch to the Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) during coalition talks. Critics, however, accuse Venstre of hiding its real position from voters before the election, while farming-friendly parties are already demanding compensation for affected farmers.
Daily Life in Denmark HQ
🌍 The government’s latest climate forecast says Denmark is still on track to meet its major 2030 climate target, but only by the narrowest margin. According to the new projection, greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by just over 70% compared to 1990 levels, leaving almost no room for delays or failed projects. Experts point to setbacks in large-scale CO₂ capture projects, higher gas consumption, and increased agricultural emissions as major problems, while the growing number of electric cars is helping pull emissions down.
🐴 Wild ponies have moved in near the Great Belt Bridge as part of an ambitious nature restoration project. Thirteen Exmoor ponies are now grazing a large protected area near Korsør to help transform former farmland into nature. The animals will help create better conditions for other species by naturally controlling vegetation, a method increasingly used across Europe to boost biodiversity. The area will remain open to visitors, with future plans including hiking trails and shelters.
🧃 Nicotine pouches are becoming deeply embedded in youth culture, and health experts are increasingly worried. A new study shows around 160,000 young people aged 15–29 use nicotine pouches or snus, with nearly 80% saying they feel addicted. Some young users are reportedly even sleeping with nicotine pouches under their lips to avoid withdrawal symptoms overnight. Researchers say traditional stop-smoking programs do not work well for teenagers, and new support models are now being tested directly in schools instead of municipal offices.
🏫 Bullying in schools is rising again, with 5% of pupils now saying they are often bullied, almost double the level from ten years ago. As thousands of children prepare to start school after summer, experts warn that bullying today is often subtle and hidden in social dynamics rather than obvious insults or fights. Researchers point to warning signs like exclusion, fear of making mistakes, closed friend groups, silent hostility, and stories that justify why certain children are treated badly.
😴 Nurseries are starting to abandon the long-standing “never wake a sleeping child” rule. New research suggests that very long daytime naps can actually harm children’s nighttime sleep, leaving families stuck with late bedtimes and exhausted toddlers. Some nurseries now wake certain children after around 90 minutes if parents report sleep problems at home. Sleep experts say the goal is not to wake children unnecessarily but to help restore a healthier sleep rhythm.
🏥 After 13 years of construction, delays, water damage scandals, and a 1.5 billion DKK budget overrun, Aalborg’s new university hospital has officially opened with Queen Mary cutting the ribbon this week. But behind the celebration, staff unions warn that serious problems remain inside the brand-new building. Employees have reported broken ventilation, overheating rooms, malfunctioning patient alarms, lack of privacy, and technical systems that still do not work properly. Several unions have now filed complaints with the Danish Working Environment Authority and the Patient Safety Authority, saying the situation risks both staff well-being and patient safety. Hospital leadership says the problems are known and being addressed.
⚽ Aarhus turned into one giant football party after AGF won the national championship for the first time in 40 years. Streets filled with white flags, beer, songs, and emotional fans hugging strangers as the city celebrated what many describe as more than just a sports victory. Even people who normally do not follow football joined the celebrations, as AGF’s long history of heartbreak suddenly transformed into a shared story of triumph.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
💼 International workers are playing an increasingly important role in keeping the economy running. A new analysis shows that international employees contributed a record 386 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP in 2025, accounting for 62% of all new jobs created last year. There are now more than 425,000 international employees in the country, with the largest groups coming from Poland, Romania, and Ukraine. Business groups warn that as the local workforce ages and shrinks, internationals will become even more important for filling labor shortages in the years ahead.
💸 Inflation is creeping up again, mainly because of higher fuel and energy prices. Consumer prices in April were 1.4% higher than a year ago, up from 1.2% in March, and economists warn this may not be the peak yet. While wages are still rising faster than inflation for now, experts say a longer conflict could start eating into people’s purchasing power again.
💰 More young people are rethinking how they save for retirement. Instead of locking money into traditional pension schemes, some are choosing to invest independently through stocks and index funds to gain more flexibility earlier in life. Experts say the trend reflects growing frustration with Denmark’s rising retirement age and a desire for financial freedom rather than waiting until old age to enjoy life. Economists still warn against abandoning pensions entirely.
🏎️ Southern Jutland could one day become home to Denmark’s answer to Formula 1. Plans for a new 3.8 billion DKK motorsport complex near Padborg were presented this week, with ambitions to eventually host international racing events, including Formula 1. Supporters say the project could create hundreds of local jobs and bring nearly 400,000 extra tourist overnight stays each year.
State of the markets
✈️ Summer flying could get bumpier. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns that fuel shortages linked to the Hormuz Strait crisis may affect flights and local transport, especially outside Europe. Travelers are advised to stay flexible, check insurance coverage for delays and cancellations, bring essential medicine and supplies, and follow updates from airlines and travel authorities. In Europe, experts warn that jet fuel stocks are nearing critical levels, meaning some cancellations could come from actual fuel shortages, not just higher prices.
🚗 Used electric cars are suddenly getting more expensive again. After years of falling prices, growing demand across Europe is now pushing prices up by as much as 10–15%, according to market analysts. Higher petrol and diesel prices are driving more people toward electric vehicles, while new subsidy schemes in countries like Germany, France, and Spain are increasing competition for used models. Popular cars such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Skoda Enyaq, and BMW iX3 are expected to see some of the biggest price jumps.
🏠 Housing prices continue to surge, especially in the biggest cities. In Copenhagen, the average price of an 80-square-meter apartment has jumped from 4.8 million DKK to 6 million DKK in just one year, while Aarhus has also seen sharp increases. Across the country, prices for houses and apartments are all rising as strong demand collides with limited supply. Economists say the market remains unusually “hot,” though a growing number of homes being listed for sale could eventually slow the pace of price increases.
Entrepreneurship
Opportunity. Do you advise people to expand/sell from Denmark to other European Union countries? We want people to know your services exist as part of our “Keys to Europe’s Market” project that we do with AMIS. Let us know about your expertise at info@amis.dk
🧽 A growing debate is emerging around youth entrepreneurship after a 20-year-old, who started a window-cleaning company at 16 and now employs five full-time staff, called for schools to teach young people how to actually start a business. Business groups say young people avoid entrepreneurship because they lack practical knowledge and mentors. Their proposals include entrepreneurship classes in schools, dedicated funding at vocational schools, and local startup environments.
International Community HQ
Community Noticeboard
This is Denmark: Danish Culture & Traditions 📍 Online | 🗓 Tuesday May 19, 16:30-17:30 Free, requires sign up🔗 Sign up here
Copenhagen Expat Meetup 📍Copenhagen (Main Library) | 🗓Thursday May 21, 17:00 | Free 🔗 Sign up here
Curious Minds📍Spinderihallerne, Vejle| 🗓 Thursday May 21, 18:30 | Free 🔗 Find out more here
International Café (Welcome Ambassadors)📍Ørestad Library, Copenhagen | 🗓 Thursday May 28, 17:00–19:00 | Free, requires sign up🔗 Sign up here
➕ Hosting something relevant to internationals in Denmark? Send it to us at noticeboard@lwid.dk
Denmark in Global Headlines
🌍 “US in closely guarded talks to open new bases in Greenland” – BBC
🇬🇱 “Greenland’s leader says US military presence part of talks with Trump’s diplomats” – Reuters
👑 “Denmark’s Queen Margrethe hospitalised in Copenhagen with chest pain, royal court says” – Euronews
☀️ “The sunny Danish island that’s a poster child for the good life – and perfect for a spring break” – The Guardian