Internationals responsible for almost half of Denmark’s economic growth since 2008 – report

Without foreign labour, Denmark’s economy would have been off way worse, new study shows

Julia Schenner

Jun 23, 2023

According to a study by KRAKA, foreign manpower has played a huge role in boosting Denmark’s GDP since 2008.

Since then, the country’s total number of employed workers has grown by 265,000, with foreigners accounting for almost 200,000 of the total. Today, they account for one in every eight wage earners in Denmark.

And they have played a large role in the growth of the country’s GDP, which has increased by an average of 1.25 percent every year – a 20 percent rise over the period.

Without the foreign workforce’s contribution, KRAKA estimates it would have only been 0.75 percent annually – so just a 12.5 percent rise. Their contribution is therefore equal to just under 40 percent of the increase.

More hours, less wages
During the same time period, the working hours of the country’s employees has increased by 3 percent.

However, the total number of worked hours has fallen due to increasing numbers of people retiring.

Foreign workers are also working longer hours. Nevertheless, on average they still receive a lower salary than Danish employees.

Between 2008 and 2023, the number of self-employed workers fell by 9 percent.

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Internationals responsible for almost half of Denmark’s economic growth since 2008 – report

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