Hard to settle in Denmark

Denmark is finding it easier to attract high-skilled international staff. But Denmark at the same time is having a hard time getting university-educated non-Danes to stay here permanently.

This is according to a new report by the National Centre for Social Research, SFI, as reported on Seven59.dk and DR.

A high level of tax is one problem. Another is the family’s inability to settle here socially.

City council makes extra effort

Sociologist of the University of Copenhagen Frederik Thuesen says that more often than not, highly-educated people have a highly-educated spouse. They, in turn, want a job that matches their qualifications, but this is difficult to find.

Another issue is the Danes. They appear cold and aloof, and it is difficult for non-Danes to form social relationships with them, the report writes.

This is no news to some Danish authorities. Copenhagen city council already has twice-weekly meetings at its Service Centre to provide non-Danes with information about social and cultural life, and language courses. The hope is that it will encourage them to integrate and stay here.

Difficult Danes

Project manager Trine Marie Inge Berg of the Copenhagen city authority cites lack of social contact as one of the main reasons that people return home.

This is confirmed by 25-year-old Polish University of Copenhagen Life Science PhD student Jakub Modrzynski on Danish radio P1, saying:

»I find it difficult to build relationships with Danes.«

Read a previous article: Foreign staff: Danes are not very friendly

miy@adm.ku.dk

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