Labour market
Skagerrakbanan will improve the cross-border labour market and provide greater access to jobs. A rule of thumb says that the size of a labour market region is determined by how far someone can commute in the space of one hour. With a new high-speed rail line between Oslo and Gothenburg, a number of new labour market regions will be formed such as Oslo to Sarpsborg/Halden; Oslo to Uddevalla/Trollhättan/Vänersborg, and Oslo to Gothenburg. It will also improve the Uddevalla/Trollhättan to Gothenburg labour market region, and all of the above will be reachable within one hour. For example, it means construction of Skagerrakbanan would enable all of the Bohus and Østfold Counties to be included in both Gothenburg’s and Oslo’s labour market regions.
According to the model developed by the Swedish National Negotiation on Housing and Infrastructure, the new high-speed rail line would provide extensive labour market benefits and economic growth throughout the region between Oslo and Gothenburg. The Østfold / Bohus County border region will become an expanding economic growth region with extensive commuting and cultural exchanges between the countries. The short commuting time between the two major cities Gothenburg and Oslo means that they will be able, like Malmö and Copenhagen, to become a single labour market region. Today, 35,000 Swedes and 14,000 Danes work in the Malmö – Copenhagen labour market region.
Belonging to one of Europe’s highest paid labour market regions means better pay, especially for young people and women thanks to a more accessible labour market. Trade and industry will have easier access to skilled labour and can continue to grow. Many people will enjoy a financial leg up.
The high-speed rail line between Oslo and Gothenburg will expand the labour market and improve access to cross-border jobs. Several new labour market regions will be created by Skagerrakbanan. The choices are endless.