After the inauguration of the bridge on July 1, 2000, it seemed that the new construction would contribute to a more fluid national border, as the number of Danish citizens who settled in Sweden increased from around 25,600 to about 40,500 in ten years.
That Danes moved to Skåne was the obvious explanation for the increase, with around 15,000 Danes moving in during the period. In addition, more and more Danes bought vacation homes on Swedish soil.
Then something happened - the so-called Öresund effect died and the Danes sold their vacation homes and moved back to their home country.
15 years ago, 40,500 Danes lived in Sweden. Today, the number is down to 24,900. The Danish exodus from Skåne has been particularly extensive.
Anders Olshov at Intelligence Watch believes that the emigrations since 2010 may have several reasons. That much attention has been focused on shootings, murders and child soldiers is a likely cause.
It is actually possible to talk about an anti-Swedish trend today that is also driven by a fear of Swedish crime in Denmark, he says to Dagens industri.
On Tuesday, the bridge's 25th anniversary was celebrated with the Danish and Swedish royal couples in attendance.
