The proportion of immigrants with higher education in Denmark has seen a significant increase, particularly among non-EU immigrants, highlighting the country’s appeal as a destination for skilled labor.
Substantial Growth in Educational Attainment Among Immigrants
In Denmark, a remarkable trend has emerged concerning the educational background of immigrants. Since 2010, the percentage of non-EU immigrants holding a higher education degree has surged by 18 percentage points, reaching 48.4% in 2024. This development marks one of the largest increases across the European Union. Furthermore, Denmark ranks high in the percentage of educated immigrants from EU countries as well, signifying its unique position as one of the few places in Europe where both EU and non-EU immigrants are, on average, better educated than the native population.
Implications for the Labor Market
According to Tommaso Frattini, co-director of the Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration (CReAM) at the ROCKWOOL Foundation and a professor at the University of Milan, this ongoing increase in educational levels among immigrants underscores the potential these individuals bring to the EU labor markets. “The data indicate that Denmark attracts immigrants with solid educational credentials, which constitutes a significant potential resource for the job market and society as a whole,” Frattini remarked.
The trends are consistent at the EU level as well. The share of immigrants from other EU countries with a higher education qualification rose from 33.8% in 2023 to 35.2% in 2024. For non-EU immigrants, this percentage climbed from 30.9% to 32.1%. In contrast, the native EU population saw a more modest increase, with those holding higher education degrees rising from 35.8% to 36.8%.
The general uptick in educational levels is notable across the entire EU. Interestingly, the proportion of non-EU immigrants possessing a university degree (32.1%) now matches the level of the native population five years ago, as recorded in 2019. This trend raises important questions regarding the evolving landscape of education and labor migration in Europe.
Gender Disparities in Educational Attainment
The analysis reveals that women continue to outpace men in terms of educational qualifications across all immigrant groups. Notably, female EU immigrants experienced the most significant increase in educational attainment between 2023 and 2024, with a rise of 1.5 percentage points. Moreover, the gender gap in education has widened across all demographics since 2010.
Christian Dustmann, also co-director of CReAM at the ROCKWOOL Foundation and a professor at University College London, commented on the persistent educational disparity between genders. “This difference between men and women is not new, but it is becoming more pronounced over time,” he stated.
In conclusion, the significant rise in the educational attainment of immigrants in Denmark illustrates the country’s attractiveness as a destination for skilled labor. The ongoing trends indicate a larger pattern throughout the EU, where both EU and non-EU immigrants are increasingly contributing to the knowledge economy. This arrival of educated individuals promises to bolster the labor market and further enrich Danish society.
As policymakers consider the future of immigration and labor policies, the importance of education in successfully integrating immigrants into the labor market cannot be overstated. Denmark’s experience offers valuable insights for other EU countries seeking to enhance their appeal to skilled migrants and ensure the mutual benefits of migration.
