Can the Danish model of “flexicurity” be a matrix for the reform of European labour markets?

During the last years, there has been a growing interest for the Danish “flexicurity” system all over Europe. Following the European Commission, the subtle combination of flexibility and security chosen by the Danes would even be a matrix of inspiration for the reform of the European labour markets. This paper analyses the core elements of the Danish “model” to determine whether these views are relevant. The flexible labour market, the generous welfare system, and the active labour market policy are examined. We focus on the 1993 labour market reform, which is supposed to have triggered the remarkable decrease of unemployment that took place in Denmark since 1994.