Bornholm, the picturesque Danish island renowned for its scenic beauty, is now facing a population crisis. For the first time in 120 years, the number of inhabitants has dropped below 39.000, raising concerns among local authorities and residents alike.
Record low population
According to data from Danmarks Statistik, as we entered 2025 there were only 38.966 residents with a registered address on the island—the lowest number in 120 years. The declining figures are a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities across rural and island areas.
The population drop is a trend that accelerated in the wake of the financial crisis, with numbers falling steadily from 42.154 in 2010 to 38.966 in 2025.
Economic challenges and job opportunities
Many experts point to a lack of sufficient job opportunities and modern amenities as key factors behind the migration. As municipal researcher Roger Buch explains,
“It is simply naive to think that one can invest oneself into attracting newcomers or more jobs.”
He further adds, “live with it. The population is shrinking in many other places as well, and it does not suggest that there is a miracle cure that can attract either people or new jobs.”
Why people are leaving
Residents who have already made the difficult decision to leave cite limited professional opportunities as a major factor. School leader Helle Krakau Holm, who relocated to Sjælland, explains her decision:
“I got a job offer that does not exist on Bornholm, and then we could at the same time get closer to our children, my elderly parents, and the rest of the family.”
Yet not everyone agrees on abandoning the island entirely. One of Holm’s children, for instance, chose to remain on Bornholm for the tranquility and closeness to nature it offers. Similarly, the family Holgersen moved from Sjælland to Bornholm seeking a smaller community and the promise of a better quality of life, all while benefiting from a financial boost achieved by selling their house in Sjælland.
Teenager Geo Holgersen, currently studying at Campus Bornholm, sums up the mixed feelings about the island:
“It is cool to live on Bornholm. I do not have the great need for things to be big, but I will manage to get an education. Afterwards, I might consider coming back.”
Political proposals and future plans
Local politicians have begun to discuss measures to stabilize—and possibly reverse—the population decline. Socialdemokratiets Anne Thomas (S) points out that expanding the housing market and creating more job opportunities should be priorities. Meanwhile, the conservative Christian Froberg Dahl (C) argues that Bornholm should invest in unique educational programs. He notes, “and then we can see that the special Bornholm model of educating turbo chefs and waiters attracts people from the rest of Denmark.”
Roger Buch even envisions a future where Bornholm capitalizes on its appeal for retirees:
“Bornholm could become the Danish Florida, where people move to when they retire. That would be fantastic.”
While these proposals offer potential paths forward, many experts remain skeptical about the ability of strategic plans to reverse long-standing demographic trends.
