Unemployment
During the third quarter of 2009, an average of 68 600 persons were unemployed in the Öresund region as a whole, which corresponds to 3.0 percent of the population aged 18-64. During the most recent five-year period (i.e. between the third quarters of 2004 and 2009), unemployment dropped by 32 900 persons or 32.4 percent. However, this was not a steady trend. During the first part of the reporting period, unemployment dropped and reached bottom at the turn of the first six months of 2008, before the trend very quickly turned upward (see the graph below).
Broken down by the two regions, 53.0 percent (36 400) of the unemployed persons in the Öresund region had their homes in Öresund DK during the third quarter of 2009, while 47.0 percent (32 200) had their homes in Öresund SE. When looking at the whole five-year period from September 2004-2009, unemployment has fallen in both of the regional areas, but the improvement occurred considerably more rapidly on the Danish side. During this period, unemployment had fallen from 4.2 percent to 2.3 percent in Öresund DK (corresponding to a rate of decrease of 43.9 percent), and from 5.2 percent to 4.3 percent in Öresund SE (corresponding to a rate of decrease of 12.1 percent, see the first graph below).
If unemployment is broken down into age groups, the picture for Öresund DK and Öresund SE is quite similar (see the graph on page 33). Unemployment is somewhat higher for the younger age groups and lower for those who are older. In general those age groups who establish themselves on the labour market have the highest percentage of unemployed persons. Most of the vacancies require either vocational training or work experience, which most of the jobseekers who begin on the labour market are lacking. The relatively low unemployment among older persons may be due to these people leaving the labour market even before they have reached retirement age, and thus avoid becoming unemployed.
The harmonised unemployment statistics
Örestat’s unemployment statistics are based on the data storage of the Swedish Public Employment Service and the Danish central register for labour market statistics CRAM. Compared with the national data registers, the reporting period has been changed to an average value during the third week of each reporting month. The harmonised statistics are monthly statistics and present unemployed persons aged 18-64 who are living in the Öresund region.
In contrast to the Danish register-based labour market statistics, the Swedish statistics do not use the labour force as a variable. Consequently, the relative unemployment in relation to the population aged 18-64 is presented.
The greatest difference between Öresund DK and Öresund SE is above all among the youngest and the oldest group. Among other things, the difference can be explained by
• the Danish apprenticeship system and other efforts to create employment that make it easier for young people to enter the labour market.
• the so-called “efterlønssystem” that gives older employees a chance to withdraw from the labour market earlier.
Summary
Up until the end of the first six months of 2008, relatively significant employment growth was noted for the Öresund region, which was followed by unemployment at bottom levels, above all in The capital Region of Denmark. As a result of the economic crisis, the labour market in the Öresund region has undergone a sharp downturn between the fourth quarter of 2008 up until the end of the first half of 2009. During the autumn months of 2009, the dramatic drop in employment appeared to enter a somewhat calmer phase. Many signs indicate that the labour market of the Öresund region has overcome the worst of the bleak situation. However, dark elements still dominate on the labour market, with a weak demand for labour and increased unemployment.
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- Unemployment by age as percentage of population – 2009 Q3
Source: Örestat
- Employment in Öresund region (3) By location of housing (night-time population)
Source: Örestat
- Unemployment in the Öresund region
Source: Örestat
(3) without commuting across Öresund
