Foreign workers’ growing contribution to Danish economy

In the first half of the year, foreign labor contributed DKK 157 billion to Denmark’s gross national product (GDP). The analysis by Dansk Erhverv shows a DKK 13 billion increase from last year, accounting for about 12 percent of the total GDP. Chief economist at Dansk Erhverv, Tore Stramer, highlights that this trend is crucial for Danish companies’ current employment growth and overall economic expansion. Since 2010, contributions from foreigners have nearly continuously risen, from DKK 57 billion back then. Sectors such as construction, transport, cleaning, public services, and particularly the pharmaceutical industry have seen a high demand for foreign labor. Stramer notes the pharmaceutical sector’s significant role in driving Denmark’s economic growth in 2022 and 2023. Despite predictions of a possible recession, the labor market exceeded expectations with over three million employed by the end of August, compared to nearly 2.6 million at the start of 2010.