The regional economic life and the labor market

The Øresund Region is a front-runner within biotech, ICT and other high-tech branches. The universities play an important role in providing these businesses with well-educated personnel, as partner in research and as midwife to the development of start-ups.

Another aspect where the universities are important in relation to the labor market is their attractive force. Businesses often locate themselves in areas where the relevant and highly educated workforce is found. The Øresund Region is home to one of the best educated workforces in Europe, thereby being highly attractive for both small and large companies. This is illustrated by the fact that more and more large companies decide to place their Nordic or Scandinavian headquarters in the region.

As mentioned before the region is top ranking when it comes to educational level both nationally and internationally. But a low level of education and an unequal distribution of different age groups characterize the Øresund Region’s periphery. The large university cities attract youngsters attaining higher education and during their first years of jobbing. It is not until later that some find their way back to the periphery, either commuting or working in the local community.

This chapter provides an in-depth view of the connection between universities and labor market. Especially in focus is the cross-border labor market and the development of the work force in the years to come.

Download chapter 3 here.