Life Science Work Force

Ready supply of qualified labour
Approximately 3 million people live in Medicon Valley, representing a work force of approx. 1.5 million people of whom 41,000 are employed within life science.

Both Denmark and Sweden place great emphasis on education and public spending on education as a percentage of GDP is among the highest in the world. Medicon Valley boasts a highly educated work force, with 27 per cent of people aged 25-64 years holding a higher education degree.

A continuous ready supply of qualified labour is ensured by the region's 14 universities including the Royal Danish University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, several life science- specialist research units and the largest business school in northern Europe. A total of 140,000 students attend Medicon Valley's universities.

Cross-border mobility
Workforce mobility between the Danish and Swedish parts of Medicon Valley is high, thanks to the Øresund Bridge link that connect the two countries as well as continuing efforts to ease the regulatory burdens of working across borders. A major advantage of this integrated labour market is that companies can draw on the strengths of both Swedish and Danish labour.

Work culture
In keeping with the Scandinavian tradition, the work culture in Medicon Valley is democratic and informal, with direct lines of communication from upper management to the individual employee. Employees are progressive in their attitudes and value having responsibility and being able to use their creative skills.