“The biggest problem is the recognition of foreign diplomas”: Interview with Jens Kristian Lütken, Mayor of Copenhagen for Employment and Integration

On Monday afternoon, Copenhageners braved the rain to converge at Copenhagen Capacity’s office for the unveiling of the latter’s Expat Survey 2025. Findings were revealed, explanations shared, questions posed, and a panel discussion to address pain points held. Afterwards, we caught up with panel member, Jens Kristian Lütken for his exclusive take on the issue of internationals in Denmark.

Tina Jimmy Dastur

May 29, 2025

On yet another (predictably) rainy summer day earlier this week, Copenhagen Capacity brought together internationals, industry experts, and policymakers to debate the findings of their Expat Survey 2025—the first of its kind to analyse the attraction-retention question concerning internationals in Denmark in over four years. While presenting the survey’s results, Dan Rosenborg, Copenhagen Capacity’s Head […]

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Huge cycling event in Copenhagen and Sjælland starts today: Major impact on traffic expected

Saturday and Sunday, Copenhange Sprint will take place for the first time. Check the map before you move.
Denmark is doing well with internationals, but we must address the issues together before they become problems

Fourth and last chapter of The Copenhagen Post’s analysis of the state of internationals in Denmark. Over the past days, we have discussed concrete challenges, issues of belonging, and how Danes and Denmark perceive us. Today, we will attempt to draw some conclusions. The author—The Copenhagen Post’s editor-in-chief—kindly asks to be excused for using the first person singular
Copenhagen is the most liveable city in the world

Australia has four of the world’s most attractive cities to live in, Switzerland has two. But Copenhagen is now number one in the world according to The Economist’s Liveability index.
Language remains the biggest barrier to employment in Denmark

Amongst debates around internationals having to learn Danish, the 2025 Employer Analysis published by the Incita Foundation revealed that language barrier is the main reason for employers to reject candidates
For many, we’re still just “immigrants.” Politics and media don’t always help

While Denmark and the Danes are more welcoming than most countries, there are still many issues to address in the perception of internationals. Danish media and politics still carry out direct assaults on international people (mostly MENAPT people and Muslims), and with the election approaching, the atmosphere toward internationals is getting worse
Lars Vesterløkke appointed new CEO and co-owner of The Copenhagen Post

The former DR executive and long-time Ritzau CEO has acquired a 33% stake in Denmark’s leading English-language media outlet since 1997 and takes over daily management.

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Career

Language remains the biggest barrier to employment in Denmark

Amongst debates around internationals having to learn Danish, the 2025 Employer Analysis published by the Incita Foundation revealed that language barrier is the main reason for employers to reject candidates
Internationals work more than Danes, say a report from the Ministry of Labour

Between 2008 and 2023, average weekly working hours increased by 1.2 hours among immigrants, while falling by 0.5 hours among Danes. Things are different for asylum-seekers and descendants. Furthermore, nearly one in five employees now reports feeling stressed
Job vacancies rise in Denmark

After a decline during 2022–2023, the number of vacancies has been increasing since 2024. However, there are still differences between geographical areas and industries

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