Demographics of Denmark

Last updated

Demographics of Denmark
Denmark single age population pyramid 2020.png
Population6,004,342 (2025 1 August est.)
Growth rate1.0085% (2022 est.)
Birth rate9.85 births/1,000 population
Death rate10.02 deaths/1,000 population
Life expectancy81.66 years
  male79.74 years
  female83.71 years
Fertility rate1.495 children born/woman (2023) [1]
Infant mortality rate3.04 deaths/1,000 live births
Net migration rate2.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Age structure
0–14 years16.42%
65 and over19.91%
Sex ratio
Total0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
At birth1.07 male(s)/female
65 and over0.7 male(s)/female
Nationality
Nationality Danish
Major ethnic Danes
Minor ethnic
Language
Official Danish, Faroese and Greenlandic
Spoken Languages of Denmark

Demographic features of the population of Denmark proper, part of the Danish Realm, include ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations, and other aspects.

Contents

Population

Since 1980, which marked a decrease in population, the number of people of Danish descent, defined as having at least one parent who was born in Denmark and has Danish citizenship, has remained constant at around 5 million in Denmark, and nearly all the population growth from 5.1 and thereafter was mostly due to immigration. [2] As of 2025, Denmark has almost 6 million inhabitants.

Population numbers in 2100 will be slightly lower than in 2024. [3]

Population of Denmark, 0-2021 Population development of Denmark.svg
Population of Denmark, 0-2021
Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1870 1,784,741    
1880 1,969,039+0.99%
1890 2,172,380+0.99%
1901 2,449,540+1.10%
1911 2,747,076+1.15%
1921 3,267,831+1.75%
1930 3,550,656+0.93%
1940 3,844,312+0.80%
1950 4,281,275+1.08%
1960 4,585,256+0.69%
1970 4,937,579+0.74%
1980 5,122,065+0.37%
1990 5,135,409+0.03%
2000 5,330,020+0.37%
2010 5,534,738+0.38%
2020 5,822,863+0.51%
Source: Statistics Denmark
2020 estimate [4]
Year [5] Population
1769797,584
1787841,806
1801929,001
18341,230,964
18401,289,075
18451,356,877
18501,414,648
18551,507,222
18601,608,362
18701,784,741
18801,969,039
18902,172,380
19012,449,540
19062,588,919
19112,757,076
19162,921,362
19213,267,831
19253,434,555
19303,550,656
19353,706,349
19403,844,312
19454,045,232
19504,281,275
19554,448,401
19604,585,256
19654,767,597
19704,937,579
19714,950,598
19724,975,653
19735,007,538
19745,036,184
19755,054,410

Fertility

The natural growth of the population (births minus deaths) was negative in 2022, that is, minus 1005 people. The previous last year there was a negative natural increase in the population was in 1988. During 2022, 58,430 children were born, 5,043 fewer than in 2021. In 2022, 59,435 people died, there were 2,283, or 4.0% more than in 2021. The total population in the age group 80 and over grew by 12,844 people, or 4.4%., from 2022 to 2023. [6]

During 2022, the Danish population grew by 59,234 people, so the population on January 1, 2023, consisted of 5,932,654 people. It was a population increase of 1.0 percent, which is higher than in 2021, when the population increase was 0.6 percent. [6]

In 2022, Denmark had a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.55 children per woman in 2022. [7] It is the first time in history that immigrant women from non-Western countries now have fewer children on average than women of Danish roots in Denmark. On average, immigrant women have 1.76 children, the descendants have an average of 1.75 children, while women of Danish roots have 1.78 children. [8] This is because Ukrainians, who are categorized as non-Western, have come to Denmark in large numbers. In the same year, immigrant women from Syria had the highest TFR, they gave birth to an average of 3.7 children. They are followed by women from Somalia and Pakistan, 2020 figures show. [8]

In 2021 the number of childless women aged 50 was the highest in seven years; 12.3 percent of women aged 50 have never had a child, while 19.5 percent of 50-year-old men do not have children. [9]

Historical fertility rates

TFR of Denmark over time to 2016 Total fertility rate of Denmark overtime to 2016.svg
TFR of Denmark over time to 2016

The total fertility rate is the number of children born per woman. It is based on fairly good data for the entire period. Sources: Our World In Data and Gapminder Foundation. [10]

Year18501851185218531854185518561857185818591860 [10]
Total fertility rate in Denmark4.244.064.484.274.414.314.374.444.484.534.4
Year1861186218631864186518661867186818691870 [10]
Total fertility rate in Denmark4.274.174.174.064.214.324.094.183.964.1
Year1871187218731874187518761877187818791880 [10]
Total fertility rate in Denmark4.064.094.164.174.314.44.364.274.34.28
Year1881188218831884188518861887188818891890 [10]
Total fertility rate in Denmark4.344.364.294.54.394.374.284.254.214.11
Year189118921893189418951896189718981899 [10]
Total fertility rate in Denmark4.1844.164.14.094.114.024.084.01

Total fertility rate

1.78 children born/woman (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 152nd

Average age of the mother at her first birth

In 2021 the average age of the mother at her first birth in Denmark was of 29.8 years, and the father is of 31.5 years. [9]

Life expectancy

Sources: Our World In Data and the United Nations.

1775–1950

Years17751835183618371838183918401841184218431844184518461847184818491850 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark33.038.440.041.543.141.941.142.642.543.944.043.440.440.440.839.543.5
Life expectancy in Denmark since 1775 Life expectancy in Denmark.svg
Life expectancy in Denmark since 1775
Years1851185218531854185518561857185818591860 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark44.543.038.544.746.146.742.540.044.445.1
Years1861186218631864186518661867186818691870 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark47.647.647.240.239.842.944.945.646.146.0
Years1871187218731874187518761877187818791880 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark46.147.247.546.044.445.847.347.546.244.8
Years1881188218831884188518861887188818891890 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark48.346.748.548.549.649.048.746.747.847.2
Years1891189218931894189518961897189818991900 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark46.847.447.149.450.852.951.853.150.651.9
Years1901190219031904190519061907190819091910 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark52.654.754.855.754.356.556.154.957.458.0
Years1911191219131914191519161917191819191920 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark57.058.058.958.558.456.957.356.357.057.6
Years1921192219231924192519261927192819291930 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark61.760.661.261.161.961.761.261.961.962.3
Years1931193219331934193519361937193819391940 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark61.862.763.664.162.963.564.065.065.866.3
Years1941194219431944194519461947194819491950 [11]
Life expectancy in Denmark66.067.167.466.466.167.268.570.170.170.3

1950–2015

Life expectancy in Denmark since 1960 by gender Life expectancy by WBG -Denmark -diff.png
Life expectancy in Denmark since 1960 by gender
Period [12] Life expectancy in
Years
PeriodLife expectancy in
Years
1950–195571.11985–199074.8
1955–196072.11990–199575.2
1960–196572.41995–200076.1
1965–197072.92000–200577.3
1970–197573.62005–201078.6
1975–198074.22010–201580.2
1980–198574.4
Population pyramid from 1950 to 2020 Denmark population pyramid from 1950 to 2020.gif
Population pyramid from 1950 to 2020

Age structure

0-14 years: 16.57% (male 493,829 /female 468,548)
15-24 years: 12.67% (male 377,094 /female 358,807)
25-54 years: 39.03% (male 1,147,196 /female 1,119,967)
55-64 years: 12.33% (male 356,860 /female 359,264)
65 years and over: 19.42% (male 518,200 /female 609,737) (2018 est.)
Median age
total: 41.9 years. Country comparison to the world: 35th
male: 40.8 years
female: 42.9 years (2018 est.)

Ethnic and origin groups

People of Danish descent as a proportion of the population regionally and nationally in 2021 Percentage of Dane's of Danish background in 2021 regionally.svg
People of Danish descent as a proportion of the population regionally and nationally in 2021
Population pyramid of Denmark over time by origin Population pyramid of Denmark over time by origin.gif
Population pyramid of Denmark over time by origin

Non-indigenous ethnic minorities include:

Historic minorities

Ethnic minorities in Denmark include a handful of groups:

Modern minorities

A person has Danish origin if he or she has at least one parent who is both a Danish citizen and born in Denmark. Neither immigrants nor descendants have one parent who is both a Danish citizen and born in Denmark. The difference between immigrants and descendants is that immigrants were born abroad, while descendants were born in Denmark.

For asylum seekers and other persons applying for a residence permit in Denmark, there is no unambiguous connection between the time of a granted residence permit and immigration for the person who has been granted the residence permit. The number of residence permits granted in a quarter cannot be interpreted as the quarter's immigration. Citizens of Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden do not need a residence permit to live, work or study in Denmark.

Statistics Denmark
Population pyramid of Denmark by origin group in 2023 Population pyramid of Denmark by origin group in 2023.svg
Population pyramid of Denmark by origin group in 2023
Danish and foreign born population pyramid in 2023 Danish and foreign born population pyramid in 2023.svg
Danish and foreign born population pyramid in 2023

In the modern minorities, Statistics Denmark counts first-generation immigrants, second-generation (Descendants in Danish statistics classification) and third-generation (Children of descendants in Danish classification). Children of descendants can be either of "Danish origin" (if both of their parents were born in Denmark with Danish citizenship) and of "foreign origin" (if one of their parents is a second-generation immigrant and another first-generation). Therefore, this table included all people of the respective background, people who are classified as of "foreign background" and third-generation immigrants, who classified as of "Danish origin". [18] Statistics Denmark denotes an immigrant's group based on their country of birth, it does this usually off of the immigrant or descendents parents, if only one such parent is known, then the group is determined by that or if no parents are known then it is assumed if the person is an immigrant that their country of origin is their country of birth. [18]

Statistics Denmark also has specific classification bands which it uses to separate different immigrant groups. As an example, for 'Western' immigrants and 'Non-western', the classification band is as follows:

According to 2021 figures from Statistics Denmark, 86% [19] [20] of Denmark's population of over 5,840,045 was of Danish descent. [21] [19] The remaining 14% were of a foreign background, defined as immigrants or descendants of recent immigrants. With the same definition, the most common countries of origin were Turkey, Poland, Germany, Iraq, Romania, Syria, Somalia, Iran, Afghanistan, and Yugoslavia and its successor states.[ citation needed ] More than 817,438 individuals (14%) [19] [20] are migrants and their descendants (199,668 second generation migrants born in Denmark [20] ).

Of these 817,438 [19] immigrants and their descendants:

There were 121,183 immigrants in 2022, of these 31,381 were Ukrainian citizens, people with Ukrainian citizenship accounted for 26 percent of all immigration. [6] The total population of Denmark increased in 2022 by 59,234 people, and the net immigration of Ukrainian people amounted to 45 percent of this population growth. [6]

RankCountry of origin [22] Population (2008)Population (2021) [23] Population (2023)Population (2024)Population (2025)
1.Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey 59,96075,07277,84579,37380,937
2. Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Poland.svg Poland 21,11849,36955,12257,07057,215
3.Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine 5,10515,59542,48244,82549,854
4.Flag of Syria (2025-).svg Syria 3,36744,32645,00045,64146,634
5. Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Romania.svg Romania 3,68134,99744,22146,03646,132
6. Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Germany.svg Germany 28,41235,14139,52841,51643,410
7.Flag of Iraq.svg Iraq 28,41734,21735,10135,47635,975
8.Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan 21,21731,17532,24633,05034,181
9.Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon 23,34330,43531,70032,26933,014
10.Flag of Iran.svg Iran 14,77322,40824,36426,27628,491
11.Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Bosnia and Herzegovina 21,86123,44923,62523,65923,732
12.Flag of India.svg India 5,66615,59519,29621,26822,815
13.Flag of the Taliban.svg Afghanistan 11,88019,95721,38021,78422,172
14.Flag of Somalia.svg Somalia 16,56121,33821,48621,65321,849
15.Flag of the United Kingdom.svg United Kingdom 12,59317,65118,19018,44218,605
16. Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Sweden.svg Sweden 14,78917,09517,72617,99918,303
17.Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam 13,45916,30716,90617,44818,272
18.Flag of Norway.svg Norway 15,74717,48117,69117,73517,786
19.Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg China 8,57414,84115,83616,54917,443
20. Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania 3,64615,23116,43916,35716,192
21.former Flag of Yugoslavia (1946-1992).svg Yugoslavia [fn 1] 18,15115,90315,35615,01614,257
22.Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco 9,80813,17013,70813,93714,138
23.Flag of Thailand.svg Thailand 8,28013,16613,69314,02914,122
24. Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria 1,194-13,50313,84014,007
25.Flag of Sri Lanka.svg Sri Lanka 10,49412,69212,99613,734
26.Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines 7,19912,76013,09813,577
27. Flag of Europe.svg Flag of Italy.svg Italy 3,99411,68412,31313,135
28.Flag of the United States.svg USA 7,15110,78611,29311,797
29.Flag of Russia.svg Russia 4,3899,5179,94610,323
30.Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland 8,4219,5139,76510,082
Population groupsYear
1981 [24] 1991 [24] 2001 [24] 2011 [24] 2021 [24] 2025 [24]
Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%Number%
Flag of Denmark.svg Danish descent4,968,33796.96%4,920,26795.6%4,953,26592.59%4,998,11189.88%5,022,60786%5,015,55483.7%
Immigrants136,2292.65%189,6493.68%308,6745.77%428,9047.71%617,77010.57%752,90712.6%
Flag of Europe.svg EU-2759,8081.16%61,2791.19%74,5651.39%124,0922.23%205,7313.52%248,930
Europe outside EU-2745,1480.88%55,7971.08%98,0421.83%116,3002.09%131,1892.24%172,663
Africa5,0339,7100.18%28,1900.52%33,1350.59%46,3760.79%51,502
North America6,3126,5257,0089,0680.16%10,8900.18%13,490
South and Central America2,9874,2636,2489,8260.17%17,4300.29%24,394
Asia16,2000.31%50,5560.98%91,7311.71%133,2612.39%202,6253.46%238,006
Oceania5718111,3142,2772,9053,504
Stateless9373367480352233
Unknown1703351,209465272185
Descendants19,4230.37%36,5530.71%87,2731.63%133,6132.40%199,6683.41%224,2733.7%
Flag of Europe.svg EU-276,7630.13%6,9490.13%9,6790.18%13,0970.23%28,2730.48%
Europe outside EU-276,8310.13%15,3020.29%32,2370.60%46,2910.83%59,3091.01%
Africa8952,41410,2580.19%16,6080.29%25,1880.43%
North America9859261,0049291,029
South and Central America2753636059021,571
Asia3,53510,4200.20%33,0450.61%55,2600.99%83,8151.43%
Oceania9388129149196
Stateless2956109237154
Unknown1735207140133
Total5,123,989100%5,146,469100%5,349,212100%5,560,628100%5,840,045100%5,992,734100%

Vital statistics

Births and deaths in Denmark over time
Live births and deaths in Denmark.svg
Live births and deaths over time
Crude birth and death rate in Denmark.svg
Crude birth rate and death rate over time
The population density is higher in Denmark than in the other Nordic countries. Norden pop density.gif
The population density is higher in Denmark than in the other Nordic countries.

Data according to Statistics Denmark, which collects the official statistics for Denmark. [25]

Average population (January 1)Live birthsDeathsNat. changeCrude birth rate (per 1000)Crude death rate (per 1000)Nat. change (per 1000)Crude migration change (per 1000) Total fertility rate [fn 2] Tempo adjusted fertility rate [26]
19002,432,00072,12940,89131,23829.716.812.8-6.64.16
19012,447,000 [27] 73,21938,78634,42529.715.714.0-1.74.14
19022,477,00072,83936,42436,39129.214.614.6-2.94.05
19032,506,00072,35136,95635,40328.714.614.0-3.63.96
19042,532,00073,69235,90337,78828.914.114.8-3.73.97
19052,560,00073,08238,59834,48428.415.013.4-2.13.87
19062,589,00074,21735,23138,98628.513.515-2.63.87
19072,621,00074,32437,27537,04928.214.114.1-2.33.81
19082,652,00076,23339,07237,16128.614.613.9-0.73.83
19092,687,00076,30135,83740,46428.213.315.0-2.03.78
19102,722,00075,29935,18440,01327.512.914.6-1.73.67
19112,757,00073,93337,23636,69726.713.413.2-2.03.60
19122,788,00074,65936,48638,17326.613.013.6-2.13.58
19132,820,00072,47535,36437,11125.612.513.1-2.13.43
19142,851,00073,29435,92137,37325.612.513.0-0.73.42
19152,886,00070,19237,17433,01824.212.811.40.73.23
19162,921,00071,55939,26532,29424.413.411.01.73.23
19172,958,00070,30639,22431,08223.713.210.50.73.11
19182,991,00072,50539,03833,46724.113.011.10.93.16
19193,027,00068,72239,59029,13222.613.09.61.62.96
19203,061,00078,23039,84138,38925.412.912.554.13.29
19213,265,00078,81536,21542,60024.011.013.0-0.43.11
19223,306,00073,89939,45234,43522.311.910.4-0.12.87
19233,340,00074,82737,90336,92422.311.311.0-1.12.85
19243,373,00073,83638,09135,77821.811.210.6-0.82.78
19253,406,00071,89737,08334,81421.010.810.2-0.52.66
19263,439,00070,73438,09332,64120.511.09.5-1.42.58
19273,467,00068,02440,19027,83419.611.68.0-2.22.44
19283,487,00068,51638,48430,03219.611.08.6-1.72.43
19293,511,00065,29739,48625,91318.611.27.4-1.72.30
19303,531,00066,30338,17428,12918.710.87.9-0.52.29
19313,557,00064,26640,57823,68818.011.46.62.72.20
19323,590,00064,65039,70124,94917.911.06.91.52.17
19333,620,00062,78038,28724,49317.310.56.71.92.10
19343,651,00065,11638,05027,06617.810.47.41.42.15
19353,683,00065,22340,81624,40717.711.06.61.02.12
19363,711,00066,41840,91925,49917.811.06.90.42.14
19373,738,00067,44040,44226,99818.010.87.202.16
19383,765,00068,46339,05829,40718.110.37.8-0.12.18
19393,794,00067,91438,53529,37917.810.17.70.72.16
19403,826,00070,12139,73030,39118.310.47.9-1.92.22
19413,849,00071,30639,75631,55018.510.38.20.42.24
19423,882,00079,54537,52742,01820.49.610.80.52.50
19433,926,00084,31937,98246,33721.49.611.70.32.65
19443,973,00090,64141,08749,55422.710.312.40.22.84
19454,023,00095,06242,29852,76423.510.513.0-0.12.98
19464,075,00096,11142,01354,09823.410.213.2-1.23.02
19474,124,00091,71440,04351,67122.19.712.5-1.82.90
19484,168,00084,93835,98148,95720.38.611.7-1.42.71
19494,211,00079,91937,79342,12618.98.910.0-0.32.58
19504,252,00079,55839,30040,25818.69.29.4-1.62.57
19514,285,00076,55937,96038,59917.88.89.0-2.02.50
19524,315,00076,94339,17337,77017.89.08.7-0.82.53
19534,349,00078,26139,35038,91117.99.08.90.32.60
19544,389,00076,36539,88536,48017.39.18.3-0.32.55
19554,424,00076,84538,78938,05617.38.78.6-1.82.58
19564,454,00076,72539,58837,13717.28.98.3-2.72.61
19574,479,00075,26441,73033,53416.89.37.5-2.62.57
19584,501,00074,68141,56033,12116.59.27.3-0.42.55
19594,532,00073,92842,15931,76916.39.37.00.52.52
19604,566,00076,07743,68132,39616.69.57.1-1.02.57
19614,594,00076,43943,31033,12916.69.47.20.62.55
19624,630,00077,80845,33432,47416.79.87.00.82.58
19634,666,00082,41345,77336,64017.69.87.80.12.64
19644,703,00083,35646,81136,54517.79.97.70.42.60
19654,741,00085,79647,88437,91218.010.18.0-0.42.61
19664,777,00088,33249,34438,98818.410.38.10.52.62
19674,818,00081,41047,83633,57416.89.96.90.42.35
19684,853,00074,54347,29027,25315.39.75.6-0.72.12
19694,877,00071,29847,94323,35514.69.84.81.42.00
19704,907,00070,80248,23322,56914.39.74.64.41.95
19714,951,00075,35948,85826,50115.29.85.3-0.32.04
19724,976,00075,50550,44525,06015.110.15.01.42.03
19735,008,00071,89550,52621,36914.310.14.31.31.9170
19745,036,00071,32751,63719,69014.110.23.9-0.31.8968
19755,054,00072,07150,89521,17614.210.14.1-1.91.9188
19765,065,00065,26754,00111,26612.910.62.20.41.7472
19775,078,00061,87850,48511,39312.29.92.21.51.6598
19785,097,00062,03652,8649,17212.210.41.81.11.6685
19795,112,00059,46454,6544,81011.610.70.91.11.6016
19805,122,00057,29355,9391,35411.210.90.30.11.5464
19815,124,00053,08956,359-3,27010.411.0-0.6-0.41.4371
19825,119,00052,65855,368-2,71010.310.8-0.5-0.11.4273
19835,116,00050,82257,156-6,3349.911.2-1.20.41.3774
19845,112,00051,80057,109-5,30910.111.2-1.00.81.4001
19855,111,00053,74958,378-4,62910.511.4-0.91.91.4472
19865,116,00055,31258,100-2,78810.811.3-0.52.31.4819
19875,125,00056,22158,136-1,91511.011.3-0.41.21.4977
19885,129,00058,84458,984-12711.511.5-0.001.5618
19895,129,00061,35159,3972,04712.011.60.40.81.6212
19905,135,00063,43360,9262,54512.311.90.51.61.6696
19915,146,00064,35859,5814,77712.511.60.92.21.6844
19925,162,00067,72660,8216,90513.111.81.32.41.7648
19935,181,00067,36962,8094,56013.012.10.92.21.7512
19945,197,00069,66661,0998,56713.411.71.62.11.8091
19955,216,00069,77163,1276,64413.312.11.35.41.8097
19965,251,00067,63861,0436,59512.911.61.33.31.7535
19975,275,00067,64859,8987,75012.811.31.52.31.7562
19985,295,00066,17458,4537,72112.511.01.51.91.7252
19995,313,00066,22059,1797,04112.411.11.31.91.7383
20005,330,00067,08457,9989,08612.610.91.71.91.7742
20015,349,00065,45858,3557,10312.210.91.32.31.7450
20025,368,00064,07558,6105,46511.910.91.02.01.7249
20035,384,00064,59957,5747,02512.010.71.31.31.7599
20045,398,00064,60955,0869,52312.010.21.80.61.7852
20055,411,00064,28254,9629,32011.910.11.71.31.8021
20065,427,00064,98455,4779,50712.010.21.72.21.8476
20075,448,00064,08255,6048,47811.710.21.63.51.8435
20085,476,00065,03854,59110,44711.89.91.94.51.8888
20095,511,00062,81854,8727,94611.49.91.43.01.83961.950
20105,535,00063,41154,3689,04311.49.81.63.11.87122.021
20115,561,00058,99852,5166,48210.69.41.22.41.75241.984
20125,581,00057,91652,3255,59110.49.41.02.91.72921.947
20135,603,00055,84452,4283,4169.99.30.63.71.66871.848
20145,627,00056,87051,3405,53010.19.11.04.91.69121.808
20155,660,00058,20552,5555,65010.29.21.07.31.71361.803
20165,707,00061,61452,8248,79010.79.21.55.91.78541.913
20175,749,00061,27253,2618,01110.69.21.44.21.75191.984
20185,781,00061,47655,2326,24410.69.51.13.21.72971.995
20195,806,00061,16753,9587,20910.59.31.21.71.69941.925
20205,822,76360,93754,6456,29210.49.41.02.01.67471.918
20215,840,04563,47357,1526,32110.89.71.14.61.72411.922
20225,873,42058,43059,435-1,00510.010.1-0.17110.31.55291.705
20235,932,65457,46958,384-9159.79.8-0.1555.01.49591.732
20245,961,24957,07957,07189.69.60.00135.31.4656
20255,992,734

In 2024, 44,092 (77.2%) babies were born to mothers of Danish origin, 10,197 (17.9%) to immigrant mothers and 2,790 (4.9%) to mothers who are descendants of immigrants. [28]

Current vital statistics

PeriodLive birthsDeathsNatural increase
January – June 202428,16128,679-518
January – June 202529,11329,378-265
DifferenceIncrease2.svg +952 (+3.38%)Increase Negative.svg +699 (+2.44%)Increase2.svg +253
Source: [29]

Total fertility rates by region

2023 [30]
Regions TFR
Zealand 1.57
Central Denmark Region 1.57
Region of Southern Denmark 1.57
North Jutland 1.53
Capital Region of Denmark 1.42

Structure of the population

Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2021): [31]
Age GroupMaleFemaleTotal%
Total2 910 6052 939 5845 850 189100
0–4159 616151 094310 7105.31
5–9153 902145 996299 8985.13
10–14172 489163 504335 9935.74
15–19174 065166 351340 4165.82
20–24190 440182 547372 9876.38
25–29205 462196 996402 4586.88
30–34190 728182 907373 6356.39
35–39167 754163 263331 0175.66
40–44174 967173 743348 7105.96
45–49196 490197 259393 7496.73
50–54199 625197 330396 9556.79
55–59203 904202 673406 5776.95
60–64173 413176 026349 4395.97
65–69156 575163 852320 4275.48
70–74149 499162 406311 9055.33
75–79125 586142 076267 6624.58
80–8469 55288 329157 8812.70
85–8933 14850 93184 0791.44
90–9411 09523 78334 8780.60
95–992 1137 4699 5820.16
100+1821 0491 2310.02
Age groupMaleFemaleTotalPercent
0–14486 007460 594946 60116.18
15–641 876 8481 839 0953 715 94363.52
65+547 750639 8951 187 64520.30

Immigration

Denmark net migration

Denmark Migration Data
YearTotal ImmigrationTotal EmigrationTotal Net MigrationImmigration ForeignEmigration ForeignNet Foreign MigrationImmigration Danish nationalsEmigration Danish nationalsNet Danish nationals
198429,03525,0533,98213,2938,1635,13015,74216,890-1,148
198536,21426,7159,49920,2019,05311,14816,01317,662-1,649
198638,93227,92811,00422,5439,26213,28116,38918,666-2,277
198736,29630,1236,17320,05710,1429,91516,23919,981-3,742
198835,05134,54450718,44610,6517,79516,60523,893-7,288
198938,39134,9493,44219,2119,5029,70919,18025,447-6,267
199040,71532,3837,33219,7158,85510,86021,00023,528-3,528
199143,56732,62910,93822,12210,46211,66021,44522,167-722
199243,37731,91511,46221,4849,35812,12621,89322,557-664
199343,40032,34411,05620,4799,99410,48522,92122,350571
199444,96134,71010,25120,97710,89110,08623,98423,819165
199563,18734,63028,55739,14511,10928,03624,04223,521521
199654,44537,31217,13331,52712,95718,57022,91824,355-1,437
199750,10538,39311,71227,41114,05713,35422,69424,336-1,642
199851,37240,34011,03228,83015,64713,18322,54224,693-2,151
199950,23641,3408,89627,88316,24211,64122,35325,098-2,745
200052,91543,4179,49830,81016,53014,28022,10526,887-4,782
200155,98443,98012,00433,65417,29216,36222,33026,688-4,358
200252,77843,4819,29730,59717,75012,84722,18125,731-3,550
200349,75443,4666,28827,69218,1949,49822,06225,272-3,210
200449,86045,0174,84327,87019,0818,78921,99025,936-3,946
200552,45845,8696,58929,98919,62010,36922,46926,249-3,780
200656,75046,7869,96434,28120,44713,83422,46926,339-3,870
200764,76942,70822,06142,70218,55824,14422,06724,150-2,083
200873,76248,17125,59150,98124,73426,24722,78123,437-656
200968,44351,98816,45546,03230,46015,57222,41121,528883
201069,20052,09717,10347,67030,22617,44421,53021,871-341
201170,12255,78214,34048,85832,91815,94021,26422,864-1,600
201272,51254,90717,60550,63332,55918,07421,87922,348-469
201379,21856,41622,80256,99534,07322,92222,22322,343-120
201487,56359,22628,33765,54737,53628,01122,01621,690326
201598,87256,34042,53276,32334,50941,81422,54921,831718
201694,36561,07833,28772,17939,53432,64522,18621,544642
201789,38264,75124,63167,44543,74523,70021,93721,006931
201887,32968,64518,68465,42747,73617,69121,90220,909993
201983,91874,5979,32162,64354,4708,17321,27520,1271,148
202070,34059,42010,92048,64443,5495,09521,69615,8715,825
202176,27849,80326,47557,92233,53624,38618,35616,2672,089
2022121,18362,92758,256103,04244,06858,97418,14118,859-718
202398,34468,17230,17279,56150,54029,02118,78317,6321,151
2024101,72469,46732,25783,21652,58030,63618,50816,8871,621

[32]

Urban areas

Urban area of Copenhagen outlined with red line. CphUrbanAreaOnPoliticalMap2.png
Urban area of Copenhagen outlined with red line.
Metropolitan area of Copenhagen. Copenhagen Metropolitan Area.JPG
Metropolitan area of Copenhagen.
East Jutland Metro. East Jutland Metro 1.JPG
East Jutland Metro.

The urban area of Copenhagen consists of the contiguously built-up area of the capital of Denmark. The Copenhagen metropolitan area consists of 34 municipalities. The East Jutland metropolitan area includes 19 municipalities.

Religion

The Church of Denmark (Den danske folkekirke) is state-supported and, according to statistics from January 2022, accounts for the religious affiliation of 73.2% of the population. [33] Denmark has had religious freedom guaranteed since 1849 by the Constitution, [34] and numerous other religions are officially recognised, [35] including several Christian denominations, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu and other congregations as well as Forn Siðr, a revival of Scandinavian pagan tradition. [35] The Department of Ecclesiastical Affairs recognises roughly a hundred religious congregations for tax and legal purposes such as conducting wedding ceremonies.

In 2013, just under 20% of the Danish population identifies as atheist. [36]

Islam is the second largest religion in Denmark. [37] In 2020, an estimated 4.4% of the Danish population were Muslims. [38]

For historical reasons, there is a formal distinction between 'approved' (godkendte) and 'recognised' (anerkendte) congregations of faith. [35] The latter include 11 traditional denominations, such as Roman Catholics, the Reformed Church, the Mosaic Congregation, Methodists and Baptists, some of whose privileges in the country date hundreds of years back. These have the additional rights of having priests appointed by royal resolution and to christen/name children with legal effect.

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran (official) 74.8%, Muslim 5.3%, other (denominations of less than 1% each, include Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Serbian Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Baptist, and Buddhist) 19.9% (2017 est.)

Employment and income

Economy of Denmark

Unemployment in Denmark over time Unemployment over time in Denmark.svg
Unemployment in Denmark over time
Unemployment, youth ages 15–24
total: 12% (2016 est.) Country comparison to the world: 109th
male: 13.1% (2016 est.)
female: 10.9% (2016 est.)

Taxation and benefits

Although the level of taxation in Denmark is among the highest in the world, the labor market participation rate is still high compared with other Western countries. Municipal income tax makes up the largest part of taxation in Denmark, with central government income tax topping it up. These income taxes are higher than in other OECD countries. These direct taxes make up two thirds of the taxation on private households with indirect taxes of the central government, and municipalities (property tax), making up one third, i.e. with motor vehicles (passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles) sold from VAT registered dealerships – because of the registration fee – being among the most expensive in the world, with prices in Norway at the same level, and the most expensive in Singapore. Also VAT in Denmark is not reduced from the current 25%. The 25% are paid on all goods and services where VAT is applied. Indirect taxes are about average compared with other European OECD countries. Payroll taxes (Danish sociale afgifter) are much lower than in other OECD countries. The tax structure ensures a broad tax base across the whole population. However, revenue from corporate taxes is lower compared with other European countries. Municipalities and the central government (regions are not allowed to levy any taxes, as they are financed by central government, and municipal block grants) redistribute a large amount of their tax income in transfer payments to municipalities with a low tax base and/or few tax payers. It is normal for children to be in nurseries, which requires a partial payment of the costs or is free of charge for low income households, and in kindergartens owned and operated, or financed, by the public sector. Child benefit is paid to parents for each child. The service to old age pensioners, and handicapped is extensive.

Denmark ranks high in the Corruption Perceptions Index, although the index is criticized for being limited in scope.

Homelessness

Homelessness is considered a significant social issue in Denmark. [39] [40] Since 2007, comprehensive counts have been performed every other year in week six (early February). The latest, from 2017, counted 6,635 homeless people in Denmark. [41] [42] The total number of people experiencing homelessness at some point in 2017 was estimated at 13,000, [41] while earlier estimates have placed it between 10,000 and 15,000. [43] Roughly half the homeless are in the Capital Region. [42] When compared to many other countries, such as the United States, the rate of homelessness in Denmark is significantly lower, which has been linked to the relatively comprehensive welfare system. [44]

The number of homeless people in Denmark has risen in recent decades, but this has been most pronounced in people that are between 18 and 29 years old (although 30 to 59 years old remains the largest age group, at 70%), women (although men remains the largest group, at 75%) and immigrants (although Danish citizens remain the largest group). [41] [42] [45] [46] Among the foreign, a high percentage are Eastern or Southern European men that seek work in Denmark. [46] Many of these only stay in Denmark during the summer, returning to their respective countries during the relatively cold Danish winter. [47]

Based on the comprehensive count in February 2017, roughly one-tenth of homeless people in Denmark are "street sleepers" (which also includes people sleeping in stairways, sheds and other places not intended for human habitation), with the remaining sleeping in the homes of friends/family, in hotels/hostels, in shelters or alike. [41] [42] The number of street sleepers is higher during the summer, [41] and homeless foreigners are overrepresented among them. [47] Among homeless in Denmark, the primary issue is psychiatric disease at 36% (24% receive treatment), drug addiction at 27% (17% receive treatment) and alcohol addiction at 23% (9% receive treatment). Overall it is estimated that more than half of all homeless people have mental health issues. [42] Compared to many other countries such as the United States, a higher percentage of Denmark's homeless have mental health issues or substance abuse, as countries with weaker welfare systems tend to have higher homeless rates but the homeless will more likely to include from a wide range of groups. [44]

The government of Denmark's approach to homelessness include commissioning national surveys on homelessness during the last decade that allow for direct comparison between Denmark, Norway and Sweden. [48] The three countries have very similar definitions of homelessness, with minor variations. [49]

See also

Notes

  1. Former Yugoslavia enumerates otherwise unspecified countries that made-up SFR Yugoslavia, i.e. the countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia.
  2. In developed countries, fertility rates 2.1 and above is a stable population and have been marked blue, 2 and below leads to an aging population and a reducing population.

References

  1. "Denmark statistics". 2023.
  2. Parallelsamfund i Danmark / Økonomisk Analyse nr. 30 (in Danish). Ministry for economic affairs and the interior. February 2018. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2018. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  3. "Population prognosis 2100", Institut National D'Etudes Demographiques
  4. "Population and population projections" (in Danish). Statistics Denmark. Archived from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  5. "Statistikbanken". Statistikbanken.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  6. 1 2 3 4 "Ukrainere stod for 45 pct. af befolkningstilvæksten". Danmarks Statistik .
  7. "Fertility". www.dst.dk. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  8. 1 2 Ritzau (21 February 2022). "Indvandrerkvinder føder færre børn end danske kvinder". nyheder.tv2.dk (in Danish).
  9. 1 2 Nikolaj Kesting (17 February 2022). "Gennemsnitsalderen stiger for førstegangsfødende". seoghoer.dk (in Danish).
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Max Roser (2014), "Total Fertility Rate around the world over the last centuries", Our World In Data, Gapminder Foundation , archived from the original on 2019-01-19, retrieved 2019-01-18
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Life expectancy". Our World in Data. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  12. "World Population Prospects – Population Division – United Nations". Archived from the original on 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
  13. "Willkommen bei der deutschen Minderheit in Dänemark". Nordschleswig.dk (in Danish). Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  14. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 July 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. "Dansk jødisk historie". Mosaiske.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  17. "Romaer til Danmark". Folkedrab.dk (in Danish). 24 September 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  18. 1 2 "Documentation of statistics: Immigrants and Descendants – Statistics Denmark". 2017-06-06. Archived from the original on 2017-06-06. Retrieved 2021-12-21.
  19. 1 2 3 4 [ dead link ]
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "Immigrants and Their Descendants". Dst.dk. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  21. [ dead link ]
  22. Immigrants by country of birth, descendants and children of descendants (those, who are classified of Danish origin)
  23. "Immigrants and Descendants, 1 January 2020". Statistics Denmark.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Population 1. January by sex, age, ancestry, country of origin and citizenship – StatBank Denmark – data and statistics". www.statbank.dk. Retrieved 2025-04-20.
  25. "Statistikbanken". Statistikbanken.dk. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  26. "Tempo-adjusted TFR". Human Fertility Database. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  27. Statistics Denmark, Population 1. January by sex and time, visited September 2023
  28. "Births — Statistics Denmark". www.www.dst.dk/en.
  29. "Statistikbanken".
  30. "Total fertility rate by NUTS 2 region". ec.europa.eu. Retrieved 2025-04-12.
  31. "UNSD — Demographic and Social Statistics". unstats.un.org. Retrieved 2023-05-10.
  32. https://www.dst.dk/en/Statistik/emner/borgere/flytninger/ind-og-udvandring
  33. "NYT: Laveste antal udmeldinger af folkekirken i 15 år". www.dst.dk.
  34. "Denmark – Constitution : Part VII – Section 70". Servat.unibe.ch. Retrieved 29 August 2017. No person shall for reasons of his creed or descent be deprived of access to complete enjoyment of his civic and political rights, nor shall he for such reasons evade compliance with any common civic duty.
  35. 1 2 3 Freedom of religion and religious communities in Denmark Archived 2012-02-05 at the Wayback Machine – The Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs – May 2006. Km.dk
  36. Rekling, Therese (7 October 2013). "Næsten hver femte dansker kalder sig ateist". Berlingske Tidende (in Danish). Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
  37. "Denmark Religions – Demographics". www.indexmundi.com. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
  38. "Hvor mange muslimer er der i Danmark?". Tjekdet.dk (in Danish). 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  39. "Yes, Even Denmark Has A Homelessness Problem". 11 September 2012.
  40. "Homelessness on the rise in Denmark". 16 September 2015.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 "Hvor mange er hjemløse?" [How many are homeless?]. Hus Forbi. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 "Hjemløshed i Danmark 2017 — National kortlægning" [Homeless in Denmark 2017 — National mapping](PDF). sfi.dk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 December 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  43. "Homelessness In A Welfare State: Perspectives From Copenhagen by Rasmus Christensen, Nicole Kirkwood - Humanity in Action". Humanity In Action.
  44. 1 2 Benjaminsen, Lars, and Stefan Bastholm Andrade. "Testing a Typology of Homelessness Across Welfare Regimes: Shelter Use in Denmark and the USA." Housing Studies 30, no. 6 (2015): 858-876.
  45. Strategies to Combat Homelessness. United Nations Centre for Human Settlements. UN-HABITAT. 2000.
  46. 1 2 "Mange udenlandske hjemløse er i Danmark i over et år" [Many homeless foreigners are in Denmark in more than a year]. Jyllands Posten. 18 August 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  47. 1 2 "Rekordmange udenlandske hjemløse i København" [Record There are more than 7,000 homeless people. In Denmark, the percentage of homeless people in Denmark is less than 0.1 percent. number of homeless foreigners in Copenhagen]. TV2 Lorry. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  48. Busch-Geertsema, Volker. "Defining and measuring homelessness." Homelessness Research in Europe: Festschrift for Bill Edgar and Joe Doherty (2010): 19-39.
  49. Benjaminsen, Lars, and Evelyn Dyb. "The Effectiveness of Homeless Policies–Variations among the Scandinavian Countries." European Journal of Homelessness 2 (2008).

PD-icon.svg This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.