"Is Copenhagen outpacing Stockholm?"

Copenhagen is increasingly described as a pioneer of innovations in sustainability, green energy and biotechnology. The city has topped the EU's regional innovation index since 2019, and initiatives such as the Greater Copenhagen Green Deal are raising its profile. As someone who has worked in the Öresund region for many years, this is increasingly clear to me.

At the same time, Stockholm's previously strong tech sector is losing momentum. Despite successes such as Spotify and Klarna, the city's attractiveness to tech entrepreneurs is weakening, not least because of the high cost of living, housing shortage and global competition. The labor market's difficulty in attracting and integrating international talent is also hampering the recruitment of the necessary expertise.

One of Copenhagen's strengths is its education sector. The city offers world-class education through institutions such as the Copenhagen Business School and the Technical University of Denmark, where academic excellence is combined with strong business relationships. This equips students for a global future. The proportion of highly educated young adults is also growing faster in Copenhagen than in Stockholm.

At the same time, Stockholm is sometimes criticized for weak collaboration between academia and future employers. Swedish companies have difficulty finding the right skills, and more and more talented people are moving to international environments straight after their studies. Dagens Industri also recently reported that more and more Swedish students are opting out of the Stockholm School of Economics in favor of Copenhagen Business School, one of several signs of Stockholm's challenges in retaining talent.

Copenhagen is not just about innovation and education. The city's bike-friendly infrastructure, high quality of life and appealing nightlife attract Generation Z and Millennials in particular. International talent attraction initiatives and facilitated work visas from third countries have further strengthened the city's appeal.

Copenhagen's success is cause for reflection. Stockholm is still well placed to compete, but there are important lessons to be learned. Through stronger collaboration between academia and business, sustainable urban development and lower thresholds for international talent, Stockholm can regain its position as one of Europe's most dynamic capitals. Ultimately, it is not about rivalry between Nordic cities, but about strengthening the innovation and attractiveness of the entire Nordic region.

Cecilia Eklund

Partner & Director, New Republic