Despite the fact that the number of Danes buying homes in Sweden has come to a standstill, the integration in the Øresund Region has reach a record high level.

These are the findings in the Øresund Index published just recently by The Danish Chamber of Commerce and The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Southern Sweden, writes the Danish business daily Børsen.

“A value of 72 makes not only the business life’s Øresund Index 2008 the highest ever. Also the increase in the index from 2007 to 2008 is the highest since the opening of the Øresund Bridge in 2000, when the first index was 53. In 2007, the index reached 68 and this year it jumps another four per cent points,” says Ole Schmidt, senior consultant in the Danish Chamber of Commerce.

The index is composed of elements all targeting for integration  in the Øresund Region seen from the companies perspective. In a fully integrated region the index is 100.

The analysis shows that the incentive behind the new record level has been the pressure on the Danish labour market.

“The number of Swedes working in the Copenhagen area has almost exploded – especially after 2006. The integration is pushed forward by the thousands of Swedes who cross the Øresund every day to work in the Danish service sector, including especially retail trade, restaurants not to mention the health sector,” says Ole Schmidt.