Data at glance of Denmark - average on period

variable 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-2007 2008-2009 2010-2019 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
real gdp growth 2.22 2.68 1.44 -1.7 1.41 0.6 3.5 2.9 2.0 1.6
CPI % 5.92 1.94 2.06 1.65 0.88 3.4 1.3 1.8 2.0 2.2
Unemployment rate 6.71 6.63 4.38 5.45 4.8 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.9
Debt/GDP % - 66.18 41.55 44.55 44.37 33.0 30.5 27.5 27.4 27.8
Current account balance/GDP % -2.55 1.78 3.25 5.0 7.15 11.0 12.2 12.5 12.3 11.5

Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here

History

Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is part of the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. The country has opted out of certain elements of the EU's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union and justice and home affairs issues. a 2022 referendum resulted in the removal of Denmark's 30-year opt-out on defense issues, now allowing Denmark to participate fully in the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy.

Environment

Area: 43,094 sq km km2

Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers

Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, fish, arable land, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand

Ethnic characteristics

Groups: Danish (includes Greenlandic (who are predominantly Inuit) and Faroese) 84.2%, Turkish 1.1%, other 14.7% (largest groups are Polish, Romanian, Syrian, Ukrainian, German, and Iraqi) (2023 est.)

Languages: Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority); note - English is the predominant second language

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran (official) 71.4%, Muslim 4.3%, other/none/unspecified (denominations include Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Serbian Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Baptist, Buddhist, Church of Jesus Christ, Pentecostal, and nondenominational Christian) 24.3% (2024 est.)

Government

Capital: Copenhagen

Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy

Executive branch

Chief of state: King FREDERIK X (since 14 January 2024)

Head of government: Prime Minister Mette FREDERIKSEN (since 27 June 2019)

Legislative branch

Description: Parliament (Folketinget) - unicameral

Economic Overview

high-income, EU-member, trade-oriented Nordic economy; growth driven by pharmaceuticals, energy, and services; large share of employment in public sector; fixed exchange rate pegged to euro; strong fiscal position and declining public debt; tight labor market mitigated by migrant workers and higher retirement age

Industries

wind turbines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, shipbuilding and refurbishment, iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products

GDP by sector: Agriculture: 0.7% (2024 est.), Industry: 24% (2024 est.), Services: 64% (2024 est.)

Trade

Export partners: Germany 13%, USA 10%, Sweden 9%, Netherlands 7%, China 5% (2023)

Export commodities: packaged medicine, fish, vaccines, refined petroleum, pork (2023)

Import partners: Germany 18%, Sweden 11%, Norway 10%, Netherlands 9%, China 7% (2023)

Import commodities: natural gas, cars, garments, packaged medicine, refined petroleum (2023)

Geography

Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes several major islands (Sjaelland, Fyn, and Bornholm)

Defence

Military expenditure: 2025: 3.2% of GDP (2025 est.)

Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.