More young people than ever choosing to drive over cycling and public transport

There’s stiff competition for parking spaces at the nation’s schools as students increasingly opt to drive the family car rather than ride the bus

Lena Hunter

Jun 9, 2021

The proportion of young people using public transport has fallen from 51 to 43 percent in the last decade – but with more families now owning two or three cars, the proportion of young drivers who drive has increased from 16 to 24 percent.

Meanwhile, only 23 percent of young people cycle to school, down from 30 percent in 2016, according to a Dansk Industri analysis based on DTU’s Transport Habits Survey.

Half a million more cars on the roads
In the years covered by the analysis, half a million more cars have appeared on Danish roads. A further 600,000 are forecast by 2030. At the same time, public transport has become more expensive.

“When public transport becomes more expensive and runs less frequently, we reap what we’ve sown – of course young people will choose to drive, especially if there is a vacant car in the garage,” said Michael Svane, the head of Dansk Industri.

He added that the solution is a more tailored and flexible bus service for young people. “But in particular it has to be cheaper,” he contended.

TOP STORIES

In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish
Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark
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%

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

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

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

Connect club

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

Career

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
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.
This rural town in Denmark has a 17 percent international workforce — Here’s how

With a low unemployment rate and aging population, the municipality is actively recruiting workers from abroad to fill essential roles and support long-term growth