Migration across Öresund
Since the opening of The Øresund Bridge in June 2000 a dramatic increase of persons moving over Öresund has occurred. Danes have primarily chosen to move to the Swedish side of Öresund. The chance of getting a better house at a lower price is among the most important motives for moving to Skåne. Other important factors are the lower cost of living and the different rules for immigration of relatives in Sweden. Every fifth person on the Danish side of Öresund thinks positively of moving to Skåne within the next 5 years14. Nearly 4 300 persons moved from Öresund DK to Öresund SE in 2007. Some 1 900 persons moved in the opposite direction in the same year.
- Number of persons moving from Öresund DK to Öresund SE
Source: Ørestat
The migration flows affect only a small area of the Öresund region. Of the moves from Öresund DK, 72 percent mainly start from the greater Copenhagen area15. The greater Malmö area is the main recipient of approximately 74 percent of the Danish immigrants in Öresund SE. Although Region Sealand is geographically farther away from Skåne, the number of migrants from here has also increased, which is illustrated in the table to the left.
The migration flow from Öresund SE to Öresund DK has increased later and more slowly. This is partly because the significant Danish migration to Skåne results in an increased number of moves back to Zealand after a few years.
The number of people moving from Öresund DK to Öresund SE has tripled since 2001. Nearly 64 percent moved to Malmö. Against this background, the municipality decided to conduct a sample survey among the city’s 2 000 adult Danish immigrants in 2006.
- Migration flows through Öresund 1998-2007
Source: Ørestat
The survey shows that lower living costs and better living standards are the primary reasons for moving. 95 percent answered that their wishes for a place to live were fulfilled by moving. Prior to moving, 39 percent of respondents lived in jointly owned or tenant owned apartments in Denmark, while after the move 84 percent lived in tenant owned apartments. After moving, the percentage of those living in an apartment with three or more rooms has increased from 54 percent to 70 percent. Of the Danish immigrants, 85 percent kept their jobs in Denmark and 59 percent drive their cars when commuting over The Øresund Bridge. 75 percent have less than an hour’s commute between work and residence. Asked if they plan to move back to Denmark within the next five years, only 10 percent answer yes, while 36 percent are uncertain and 54 percent are certain they will not move back. 70 percent of those who did not have small children expect to still live in Malmö with their children(16).
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The Danish rules for the immigration of relatives from 2002 have contributed to an increase in the number of non-European emigrants from Denmark to Sweden, which is also seen in the migration flows between Zealand and Skåne. Among those moving in 2006 were 650 persons born in Asia and Africa. In 2001 this same group numbered only 80 persons. The number of Swedish born migrants from Zealand to Skåne has been approximately 300 persons per year during the same period.
