Danemark: La flexicurité prise à revers par la crise

Article by Christian Lyhne Ibsen

The article reviews how the economic crisis in 2008/2009 has affected Denmark and its celebrated flexicurity model. While the economic performance in the 1990s and 2000s were indeed remarkable there are also signs that Denmark could be hit harder by the crisis as quick labour market adjustment to recession is part of the model. The article shows preliminary indications that this might be the case. However, it is also argued that this might not be such a bad thing and that the final verdict on Danish flexicurity depends on a quick bounce back of employment and unemployment figures. Finally, the article calls for caution on singling out flexicurity as the sole cure and cause of labour market performance.

The journal Grande Europe, 1 December 2009.