Kalundborg, a coastal town in Denmark with a population of around 16,000, is emerging as a modern hub for the pharmaceutical industry, particularly as the production center for the popular weight loss drug Wegovy. This medication contains semaglutide, which is also an ingredient in the diabetes treatment Ozempic. Novo Nordisk, the parent company, has invested over $8.5 billion in Kalundborg, a figure nearly matching Monaco’s entire GDP. However, attracting permanent residents to Kalundborg is proving challenging.

Each day, the town experiences a significant influx of workers heading to the factory in the morning and a subsequent departure in the evening. Locals have dubbed this phenomenon the “Novo Queue,” advising others to avoid driving during these peak hours. Many workers commute from surrounding areas rather than living in Kalundborg itself.

Despite substantial investment per resident, the town grapples with various social issues, including deteriorating schools and low incomes. The state schools here perform below the national average in Danish language and mathematics. Some peripheral areas lack sufficient facilities, featuring only outdated playground equipment. Regional councillor Helle Laursen Petersen notes that these educational challenges deter experienced teachers and contribute to a mindset among parents who believe their children will automatically secure jobs at Novo Nordisk without pursuing higher education.

Students at Gymnasium, Kalundborg’s leading academic secondary school, express a desire to move elsewhere for their studies due to perceived limitations of living in the town. Some are optimistic about returning after completing their education, hoping for increased job opportunities that would allow them to appreciate Kalundborg’s natural surroundings more.

Business owners like Brian Sonder Anderson highlight that while local supermarkets and bakeries thrive during factory lunch breaks, other retail shops struggle due to workers commuting from outside the town. Many families here are low-income earners who have been priced out of Copenhagen’s housing market.

Kalundborg faces health concerns as well; it ranks among the top 5% of Danish towns for child obesity rates. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk has become Europe’s most valuable company with over $33 billion in revenue last year and a market value exceeding $500 billion. Their ongoing investment aims to create 1,250 additional jobs at the Kalundborg facility while enhancing production capabilities.

Denmark’s economy grew by 1.1% in early 2023; however, without the pharmaceutical sector largely dominated by Novo Nordisk, it would have contracted by 0.8%. Some analysts caution against over-reliance on this industry.

Mayor Martin Damm remains optimistic about Kalundborg’s future growth and insists that new jobs are consistently being added while improvements in school facilities will eventually lead to healthier lifestyles among residents. A new highway is also under construction to alleviate traffic congestion; however, encouraging more people to settle permanently remains crucial for long-term success.