Denmark is projected to face a significant labor shortage, requiring an influx of foreign workers to sustain its economy. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen highlighted this issue at The People’s Meeting, emphasizing that the current immigration debate’s “harsh tone” overshadows the urgent need for international labor.

The country is expected to lack 90,000 full-time employees by 2030, a situation exacerbated by Denmark’s low birth rate, which is insufficient to maintain the population. Rasmussen stressed the importance of addressing this issue proactively to avoid irreversible consequences.

The Foreign Minister dedicated his speech to the topic of foreign labor, underscoring its importance to Denmark’s welfare society. He invited foreign workers onto the stage to acknowledge their positive contributions. The government is currently engaged in internal negotiations to develop proposals to address the labor shortage.

The government has reportedly reached an agreement to ease recruitment from 16 designated countries. While the Moderates advocate for a larger influx of international workers, the Social Democrats prioritize controlling the number of immigrants. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has stated that numbers matter, especially concerning labor from North Africa and the Middle East, and has expressed a preference for workers from like-minded countries.