Danes unwilling to commute more than 45 minutes for work

A significant portion of Denmark's workforce is unwilling to extend their daily commute beyond 45 minutes each way, according to a new survey. While 40% of working Danes would accept a commute of up to an hour, a substantial 14% consider 45 minutes each way their maximum acceptable travel time.

The study, conducted by Norstat for Dansk Erhverv (the Danish Chamber of Commerce), surveyed 471 employed individuals aged 20-65. Mikkel Lundemann Rasmussen, employment policy chief at Dansk Erhverv, described the findings as "a bit worrying." He stressed the importance of mobility and flexibility for a dynamic labor market, noting that reduced willingness to commute could negatively impact businesses and, consequently, society.

While the proportion of workers willing to commute up to 45 minutes each way remains consistent with last year, it has significantly decreased compared to previous years. In 2023, 21% were willing to commute a maximum of 45 minutes each way, a figure that stood at 43% in 2018.

Dansk Erhverv attributes the declining commuter willingness primarily to the current high employment and low unemployment rates. Rasmussen suggested that in times of economic crisis, people would likely be more inclined to travel further for work. He also expressed surprise that the increasing prevalence of remote work has not influenced these figures. Recent data indicates that four out of ten employed individuals worked from home in the past four weeks, yet this trend does not appear to be making Danes more amenable to longer commutes.