It is bewildering why politicians are asking why people are moving away from Greenland....as reported in Semitsiaq......
More people are moving from Greenland. High living costs and challenges in the social and healthcare sectors are forcing many to leave Greenland for Denmark. The emigration in recent years has been significant, and political action is needed, says Aaja Chemnitz, member of the Folketing for Inuit Ataqatigiit."You want to call us home, but where are we going to live? I've been registered in Nuuk for 30 years," is one of the responses to parliamentary politician Aaja Chemnitz, who has asked on Facebook about people's reasons for moving or considering moving from Greenland to
The latest population projection from Statistics Greenland indicates that we are moving towards an aging and declining population. If nothing changes, there will only be 45,700 people in the country in 2050. That is 11,000 fewer people than today. The declining population is partly due to a falling birth rate and partly to an emigration of people born in Greenland.The largest part of the emigration takes place to Denmark, where over 17,000 Greenlanders currently live, and the move to Denmark largely takes place during the working years. Facebook invitation The worrying figures prompted Aaja Chemnitz, a member of the Danish Parliament from Inuit Ataqatigiit, to post on Facebook last week, asking for answers about why people are moving from Greenland to Denmark and what could bring them back. At the time of writing, the post has generated 262 responses and been shared 91 times. In addition, the politician has also received many responses in his private mailbox. Social challenges From the answers, you can read that the reasons are predominantly about social challenges in Greenland, especially if you have a child with diagnoses or disabilities. One writes: "I chose to move almost 18 years ago because there was no future for my disabled child in Greenland. He was 13 years old, lost in the school system, and for the third year in a row we had been given the same action plan that I refused to sign. If we had stayed, he would have been "parked" in a daycare center today. I have in no way regretted the move, because in Denmark he has received a university education."Expensive cost of living Another major challenge that many point to is that it is expensive to live in Greenland. "You want to call us home, but where are we going to live? I've been registered in Nuuk for 30 years," reads one of the responses to the post. "If you have two parents on SIK wages or a single parent with 2-3 children, it is almost impossible to make the math work when you also have to pay rent, electricity, heating, food, clothes, telephone, insurance, etc.," writes another, referring to the sky-high rent prices in newly built apartments in Nuuk. According to Aaja Chemnitz, it is very important that efforts are made to bring more Greenlanders back home, especially young people and people of working age. “It is clear that we are in a death trap right now with more elderly people and fewer people in the labor market to pay for welfare,” she says. Photo: ODD ANDERSEN/ScanpixHealth and elderly care The healthcare system is also a common point of criticism, and especially as you get older, some people choose to move to Denmark so they are closer to doctors and hospitals and can also get around more easily if you become disabled. In addition, waiting lists for retirement homes have grown in recent years, which is also scaring more people away from Greenland."I can easily understand those who move to Denmark for a better retirement life or daily life and not least the opportunity for better contact with the healthcare system, because life is better and cheaper here in many areas," someone writes. Peace and quiet However, there are also many who insist on staying in Greenland despite higher living costs and less welfare. One writes that she is often in a dilemma about where to live, but that the nature in Greenland attracts her the most, even though her parents have moved to Denmark: "I think my children have the best childhood, schooling, etc. in Greenland. The peace and tranquility that is up here goes deep into my soul, and it is difficult to take it away. Yes, my children could probably get better schooling and kindergarten in Denmark in terms of staffing, etc. But I teach my children to be able to manage themselves independently of others if possible. Maybe it is harsh, but for me it gives content to my life to see my children jumping around in the mountains and in the snow, while they look at eagles, ravens, whales, northern lights, planets and the sea. It must be the nature and the people that are the only reason why I am not near my family in Denmark."Positive with so many responses Aaja Chemnitz is very impressed by people's openness in their stories about reasons for moving.– It is positive that so many have written about their experiences, because then others can be inspired. It is a big decision to move from Greenland to Denmark, but I can see from the answers that a lot is about the better welfare offered in Denmark, especially if you have children with diagnoses or disabilities. And I can understand that if your child does not thrive in Greenland, you do not thrive yourself either, and then you have to take action. It is important that we talk openly about why people move, and that the debate is based on concrete issues. Danish parliamentarian Aaja Chemnitz (IA) has asked on Facebook why people move from Greenland to Denmark, and this has at the time of writing generated 262 responses. Many responses are about a challenged social system in Greenland, where you cannot get help for children with diagnoses and disabilities. Some also point out that it is very expensive to live and reside in Greenland. Photo: Trine JuncherAccording to Aaja Chemnitz, it is very important that efforts are made to bring more Greenlanders back home, especially young people and people of working age. – It is clear that we are in a death trap right now with more elderly people and fewer in the labor market to pay for welfare. That is why it is crucial that we get many of our well-educated people back home, and that is why we must listen carefully to their needs. It is not only about creating good jobs and securing staff housing, but also about, for example, having proper daycare centers and schools.
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