Why Copenhagen is keeping families in the city
In most major cities, starting a family often means leaving the city center. Copenhagen has flipped this pattern. Through strategic investments in the daycare options parents prefer, and in child-friendly public spaces, the city now offers urban families many of the benefits traditionally associated with suburban living. The results are clear:
✅ Property values in Copenhagen center have risen faster than in the rest of Denmark.
✅ Families are staying after having children, reversing the traditional pattern of suburban flight.
A simple graph shows the sharp increase in the number of 16 year olds who are now living in the city center — a clear sign that families aren’t leaving once kids grow.
You can also see facts about Copenhagener's preferences in a survey we conducted in 2015 with the city. We asked parents to choose a daycare based on fictitious testimonials like:
1️⃣ The daycare might seem a bit messy and chaotic at times, and my children often came home with dirty clothes, but I saw that as a sign of having been outside a lot.
2️⃣ The daycare has a structured plan, with activities organized for all days. The staff are great. I like it that stories are often read aloud, and the children are encouraged to talk about their play and games with the teachers.
The outcome of the survey was surprising to us at first: Approximately four out of five Copenhagen families leaned toward the “messy, outdoor play” option. Parents valued exploration, fresh air, and freedom over structure and order.
While affordability, structured routines, and staffing remain important, parents also use daycare to provide experiences they can’t easily offer at home. Copenhagen planners understand this. Their admission system gives clear insights into parents’ preferences — and the city appears to be responding effectively.
Notes:
Link to our 'Journal of Human Resources' article: https://lnkd.in/d8ePAKku
The municipality of Copenhagen is the dense city core (population 667,099, area 90 km²) of what is known as the greater city of Copenhagen (population 2,135,634, area 3,371 km²).
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