Experts see room for hope in rural Denmark

Despite a strong flow of people towards larger cities, experts see signs that some are choosing rural municipalities, DR reports. The shift matters because local government finances come under pressure when working-age residents move away.

Marco and Kristine Berenthz moved from Valby in Copenhagen to Stege on the island of Møn before the birth of their third child. Their children were born in Nørrebro, Valby and Møn as the family moved in search of more space. Two years ago, they settled in a large, old property on the outskirts of Stege, close to nature and with room for the children’s grandparents.

“We would rather be four adults to three children than outnumbered,” Marco Berenthz said. He acknowledged that their move runs against the wider trend of people leaving rural districts for the areas around larger cities.

That pattern, together with low birth rates and an ageing population, is widening the gap between income and spending in some parts of Denmark. The share of residents of working age, who contribute most to municipal coffers, has shifted in recent years, and experts say the difference between urban and rural municipalities is growing.

Henrik Mahncke, analysis director at the philanthropic organisation Realdania, said the pull of large cities was strong but not inevitable. “I would only really be worried if people thrived only in the big cities,” he said. “I want to warn against assuming that things will continue this way.”

Helle Nørgaard, a senior researcher at Aalborg University, said a smaller countertrend was also underway: more people who are employed and have higher education are moving to rural municipalities. Whether that movement will carry more weight in the future remains to be seen, she said.

Vordingborg Municipality, which includes Møn, has recorded its biggest influx of new residents in eight years this year.

The Berenthzes’ move comes with longer commutes. Marco works as an architect at a studio in Nørrebro and spends about an hour and a half travelling each way. Kristine has a similar journey to her workplace in Valby. Both can work from home, and the children’s grandparents help when the family’s schedules are difficult to manage.

Mahncke said high housing prices and capacity constraints in large cities could lead young families to consider where they want to live. “What is at stake is our idea of the good life,” he said. He added that quality of life is slightly higher outside the largest cities.