Aalborg University Study Shows Denmark’s Growing Ethnic Integration in Families, Schools, and Workplaces

Aalborg University Study Shows Denmark’s Growing Ethnic Integration in Families, Schools, and Workplaces

(IN BRIEF) Aalborg University’s recent study challenges the notion of segregated communities in Denmark, revealing that ethnic integration is progressing faster than commonly perceived. Using registry data, the research shows that more Danes are mixing across ethnic lines, with significant increases in inter-ethnic marriages, children of mixed origin, and workplace diversity. Schools and workplaces are more integrated than in previous decades, reflecting Denmark’s evolving demographic. The study underscores the importance of both minority adaptation and majority shifts in fostering a more integrated society. This transformation, marked by increased personal and social connections, suggests that integration is happening in practice, often without much fanfare.

(PRESS RELEASE) AALBORG, 7-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A recent study conducted by Aalborg University reveals a significant shift in integration trends within Denmark, challenging the prevalent political narrative that often highlights the idea of separate communities. The research, led by Professor Christian Albrekt Larsen from the Department of Politics and Society, uses extensive registry data to demonstrate how Danes are increasingly mixing across ethnic backgrounds, particularly in family life, education, and the workplace.

Contrary to the common perception of parallel societies, the study highlights the growing diversity in personal relationships, workplaces, and schools. The number of inter-ethnic marriages in Denmark has risen significantly, with the proportion of couples of Danish origin decreasing from 94% in 1985 to 83% in 2020. Furthermore, the number of children of mixed origin has doubled, increasing from 4.4% of children aged 0-16 in 1985 to 8.2% in 2019.

Key findings from the study show that Denmark’s schools and labor markets have undergone significant transformations. In 1990, there were 787 primary schools without a child of non-Western background, but by 2020, that number had dropped to 168. The workplace has also become more ethnically diverse, with the probability of a Danish-born person meeting an immigrant or their descendant at work increasing from 3.1% in 1996 to 13.3% in 2019.

The study emphasizes that integration is not just about minority adaptation but involves shifts within the majority population as well. The increasing interaction between ethnic Danes and immigrants in various settings, including workplaces and schools, has been instrumental in breaking down prejudices and creating new connections. This transformation is further evident in social relationships, with 37% of ethnic Danes reporting close friendships with people of immigrant background, while up to 90% of immigrants and their descendants have close Danish friends.

In conclusion, the study highlights the increasing fluidity of ethnic boundaries in Denmark and presents evidence that integration is progressing through everyday interactions, ultimately fostering stronger connections and new communities.

By Louise Lyck Dreehsen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs

Facts: Integration in numbers

• In 1985, 94 percent of all coupled relationships consisted of two people of Danish origin. In 2020, the proportion had fallen to 83 percent.
• The number of children of mixed origin grew from 37,500 in 1985 to 88,800 in 2019. This corresponds to an increase from 4.4 to 8.2 percent of all 0-16-year-olds.
• In 1990, there were 787 primary schools without a single child with a non-Western background. In 2020, that number had fallen to 168.
• In 1985, 74 percent of children with a non-Western background had to be moved in order to achieve an equal distribution across schools. In 2020, that number had fallen to 44 percent.
• In 1996, a person of Danish origin had a 3.1 percent probability of meeting an immigrant or descendant of an immigrant at their workplace. In 2019, the probability had increased to 13.3 percent.
• 37 percent of adults of Danish origin have at least one close friend with an immigrant background. In contrast, approximately 90 percent of immigrants and descendants of immigrants have at least one close Danish friend.

Media Contact:

Christian Albrekt Larsen
Cand. Scient. Adm., PhD
Tel: +4599408214

email: albrekt@dps.aau.dk

SOURCE; Aalborg University