Massive infrastructure investments may cause labour shortages

The state and councils will spend 340 billion kroner on state infrastructure over the next decade and create around 40,000 jobs.

Over the next decade, 340 billion kroner will be invested in developing public infrastructure and hopefully create around 40,000 jobs, according to calculations made by financial daily Børsen. There are concerns, however, about a lack of skill labour to complete the planned construction work.

Ole Christiansen, chairman of the Aarhus Rymarken division of the union 3F, said the region has already started to witness a shortage of construction workers.

“I have to call around to other 3F departments in Jutland in order to find people for projects in Aarhus,” Christiansen told weekly newsletter Ugebrevet A4, adding that the demand for labourers in Aarhus has been stimulated by the construction of new housing blocks on Aarhus's harbour.

Christiansen’s assessment was supported by Peter Hougaard Nielsen, chairman of 3F’s construction division.

“As the situation stands now with all the projects that have started, we could easily end up lacking construction workers in the autumn,” Nielsen told Ugebrevet A4, adding that the government’s growth plan will reduce unemployment in construction after the end of the summer holiday.

“The home improvements tax deduction and the extra funds for renovating public housing will only create jobs," he said. "In the long-term, I can only be optimistic.”

Unemployment dropped by 500 people between January and February to 154,400 people according to Statistics Denmark. This corresponds to six percent of the labour force being out of work, although some fields are doing far better.

According to Ugebrevet A4, the number of unemployed electricians dropped from 4.7 percent to 3.3 percent nationwide and some areas of the country are even reporting almost 100 percent employment within the field. 

The weekly newsletter also reported that the Copenhagen and Zealand regions may not have enough engineers, bricklayers, electricians and plumbers to satisfy the demand in 2014 and 2015.

According to 3F, 1,034 infrastructure projects costing over 30 million kroner have so far been registered to start between 2012 and 2017. Together they will cost 222 billion kroner and require 222,000 man-years of work to complete.

The largest projects to start in the next decade are the 50 billion kroner Fehmarn Link tunnel to Germany, 16 billion kroner on new Metro lines in Copenhagen and 27 billion on upgrading the rail network.




  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

  • Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Denmark launches massive investment in the navy

    Two months ago, the Danish PM announced that military equipment should be purchased in a hurry. The first plans for the sea are now ready. Additional plans for warships will follow this summer.

  • International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    International designers struggle to find jobs in Denmark

    Many internationals come to Denmark to work as designers, but the field appears to be one of the hardest to break into. The Copenhagen Post spoke with two internationals struggling to find their way into the industry.

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.