Over 60,000 young Danes idle despite thriving job market, calls for more flexible education and personalized employment efforts intensify

In 2022, over 60,000 young people aged 16-24 in Denmark were neither employed nor in education, accounting for 9.4% of this age group being classified as inactive, according to an analysis by Denmark’s Statistics. This is seen as paradoxical in a time when many businesses are actively seeking help.

Emilie Damm Klarskov, the head of analysis at the Workers’ Movement’s Business Council, points out that the job market is currently thriving and employers are in need of labor. “These young people are not quite ready. Some of them lack professional skills, while others face health challenges,” she explains.

The statistics also reveal that the percentage of inactive young people has remained constant at 9-11% over the past decade. Jens Joel, employment spokesman for the Social Democrats, describes this as a “disaster” and promises that the government will make it a top priority.

The issue lies not with young people taking a gap year or two after completing their education, but with those who have not completed an education at all. These individuals are inactive for longer periods and risk being completely excluded from the education system and job market.

A significant number of them leave school without the knowledge necessary to pursue further education. They also frequently use antidepressant medication and other psychotropic drugs, and are often referred to psychologists or psychiatrists.

The Workers’ Movement’s Business Council suggests that more flexible youth educations could be part of the solution. For example, allowing some of these young people to pursue education part-time.

In the Ungeporten project in Bornholm’s Municipality, leader Gitte Svart shares positive experiences with gradually integrating young people into the job market. The project has helped young people find jobs that might not have existed before by tailoring job tasks to their abilities.

Despite the efforts made so far, Jens Joel of the Social Democrats believes that the government has not done enough to help this group. However, he promises that more initiatives will be introduced after the summer break. “We will have a large focus on this potential group because they are capable, but they need help to kick the door in. We will have a large focus on them in the coming political season,” he said.

He also suggests giving municipalities more freedom in their employment efforts, which could allow for a more personalized approach to helping these young people.