With fewer children being born in Denmark’s rural areas, small Danish schools are facing potential closures. In Thisted Municipality, a policy requiring schools to have at least 75 students is sparking debate and local pushback.
Local School at Risk Amid Falling Enrollment
In the small village of Bedsted, located in the Thy region of northwestern Denmark, residents are grappling with the possible closure of their only public school due to dwindling student numbers. Bedsted School currently serves 63 students from kindergarten through sixth grade, falling short of Thisted Municipality’s requirement that a public school must maintain a minimum of 75 pupils for at least two consecutive years to remain in operation.
For the village, the school is more than just a place of learning- it represents community cohesion and the ability to attract and retain young families. Local residents fear that if Bedsted School closes, the entire area will become less attractive to new families, affect home values, and weaken community life, including youth-focused recreational activities.
Policy Introduced to Address Declining Demographics
The policy was introduced in Thisted two years ago in response to a national trend: fewer children are being born, especially in rural communities. In 2023, only 364 children were born in Thy – a 28 percent decrease compared to the number following Denmark’s municipal mergers in 2007. With 13 public schools still in operation across the municipality, local officials argue it’s no longer sustainable to maintain the same number of institutions with dramatically shrinking student populations.
According to the municipality, any school with fewer than 100 students will prompt early discussions with the local community and stakeholders. The goal is not to surprise residents with sudden closures, but to plan for future sustainability while ensuring that children receive high-quality education in well-functioning schools.
Arguments on Both Sides of the Debate
The school closure policy has sparked controversy among members of the local council. While some council members support a minimum threshold for enrollment, others argue against setting a rigid number. Critics claim that imposing an inflexible limit can create a self-perpetuating problem. As rumors of potential closures spread, parents may pre-emptively withdraw their children and seek alternatives in other towns, further reducing enrollment and accelerating the potential closure.
Rather than sticking strictly to the 75-student rule, critics suggest evaluating the unique circumstances of each school, including community needs, local support, and the school’s educational quality. Supporters of Bedsted School, for example, point to its strong staff, student engagement, and sense of belonging, even with fewer students.
Other Municipalities Face Similar Challenges
Thisted is not alone in adopting a minimum enrollment policy. Other rural Danish municipalities navigating similar demographic trends have implemented comparable thresholds:
- Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality: 75-student minimum
- Vesthimmerland Municipality: 75-student minimum
- Skive Municipality: 45-student minimum
In each of these areas, the policy aims to balance pragmatic resource management with the desire to maintain local schools that serve as social and cultural anchors in their communities.
Looking Ahead: Tough Decisions Lie Ahead
The future of Bedsted School remains uncertain. Community members are actively fighting to keep the school open, while municipal leaders weigh the financial and educational implications of maintaining under-enrolled campuses. For politicians, it is a difficult task that pits budgetary responsibility against community well-being.
Supporters of the school hope that efforts to attract more families or consolidate regional services could help maintain enrollment levels. Nevertheless, with declining birth rates and migration toward urban centers, rural Danish municipalities must increasingly make difficult decisions about how to best use limited educational resources.
As demographic realities continue to reshape Denmark’s rural landscape, the conversation surrounding school closures like Bedsted’s is shining a light on broader challenges facing small communities that strive to hold on to their identity and future.
