A new study challenges a widespread claim in Copenhagen’s municipal election debate. Despite soaring housing costs, welfare sector employees such as teachers, nurses, and childcare workers continue to live in the city in large numbers.
Copenhagen Workers Still Calling the Capital Home
For years, rising housing prices have dominated political conversations in Copenhagen. Many local election candidates have argued that high prices are forcing ordinary public employees out of the city. But a new analysis from the Rockwool Foundation paints a different picture.
The study shows that most people working in welfare jobs, including teachers, nurses, and social care assistants, still live within the Copenhagen area – covering Frederiksberg, Tårnby, Dragør, and the capital itself.
According to the data, 78 percent of teachers, 77 percent of childcare workers, 68 percent of nurses, and more than 80 percent of social care staff live in greater Copenhagen. That is significantly higher than the average for all other employees working in the capital, where only 60 percent also live there.
Price Pressure Not the Full Story
Even though house prices have climbed steadily and remain among the highest in Denmark, the study suggests that the lack of welfare staff in the city cannot be explained by the housing market alone.
Instead, the challenge appears to lie elsewhere. For instance, more children are now enrolled in schools and daycare, which increases the demand for skilled staff. The study argues that it is this growing need, not housing costs, that drives the pressure on public services.
Over the past decade, the proportion of welfare workers living in Copenhagen has remained stable. In fact, more teachers have moved into the city in recent years, while some childcare staff have moved out.
Many Own Homes in the City
Interestingly, a large share of teachers and nurses actually own property in Copenhagen.
The data reveals that 43 percent of teachers and over a third of nurses own either apartments or cooperative housing. Among childcare workers, ownership and renting are split almost evenly, while the majority of social care assistants remain renters, mainly in public housing or cooperative buildings.
The study also highlights that Copenhagen’s housing composition differs from most other Danish cities. Only about 22 percent of homes are privately owned, while 28 percent are cooperative housing, 30 percent are private rentals, and around 19 percent are public housing units. This variety makes the city’s housing market more flexible and accessible for a mix of income groups.
Younger Workers Are Also Staying
One might assume that older workers have an advantage because they bought homes decades ago when prices were lower. However, the study finds little difference between generations.
Even among workers under 45, most welfare employees live in or near Copenhagen, showing that younger professionals have not been pushed out by high prices.
The findings indicate that for many, staying in the city often means adjusting expectations about space or type of housing. A smaller apartment or shared ownership model can make living in Copenhagen possible even with rising costs.
Complex Dynamics Behind the Numbers
Experts believe that several factors help explain why welfare workers continue to live in Copenhagen despite high housing prices. The city’s expansion has created more neighborhoods and housing options, offering space for both high-income earners and middle-class workers.
At the same time, those who have lived in the city longer often pay lower housing costs than newcomers due to older contracts or cooperative ownership structures. This helps maintain a broad social mix and prevents sharp segregation by income.
Still, researchers caution that future developments in housing supply and demographics could change this balance. If fewer affordable homes are built or if demand rises further, that stability could weaken.
For now, however, the study shows that Copenhagen’s diverse housing market, including its strong segment of public and cooperative housing, remains crucial for keeping nurses, teachers, and childcare workers close to the city’s residents who rely on them.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Danish House Prices Expected to Rise in 2025
TV2: Ny analyse gør op med udbredt påstand i Københavns valgkamp



