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EACEA National Policies Platform
Denmark

Denmark

3. Employment & Entrepreneurship

3.11 Current debates and reforms

Last update: 28 November 2023
On this page
  1. Forthcoming policy developments
  2. Ongoing debates

 

Forthcoming policy developments

In December 2022, a new government took office. On the government platform, Responsible for Denmark (Ansvar for Danmark), the government presents the political foundation for the government. On the platform, several labour market initiatives regarding young people are mentioned:

  • Invite social partners to tripartite negotiation on the 45 000 NEETS in Denmark
  • Focus on after-school jobs for young people
  • Consider the adjustment of student intake on certain education programmes to better match the demand from the labour market

 

On May 1, 2023, a new reform of the benefit system will be implemented. The reform introduces a cut in the benefit rates for graduates after three months of unemployment. The cut targets only graduates who are not breadwinners. Furthermore, the period in which graduates are eligible for unemployment benefit is also reduced from two to one year. The purpose of the reform is to increase the labour force.

 

Ongoing debates

In May 2023, the Ministry of Employment will introduce a cut in unemployment benefit for graduates. This has spurred a debate on the fairness of the reform. The government argues that the new rates are still an increase in income compared to the state education grant and when graduates have no children or are not home owners, the rates are fair. Others argue that it will put further pressure on young people.