Introduction
Background
Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power, Denmark has evolved into a modern, prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe.
Geography
Area
total: 43,094 sq km
land: 42,434 sq km
water: 660 sq km
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
People and Society
Population
5,946,984 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Danish (includes Greenlandic (who are predominantly Inuit) and Faroese) 85.6%, Turkish 1.1%, other 13.3% (largest groups are Polish, Syrian, Romanian, German, and Iraqi) (2022 est.)
Languages
Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority); note - English is the predominant second language
Religions
Evangelical Lutheran (official) 74.7%, Muslim 5.5%, other/none/unspecified (denominations of less than 1% each in descending order of size include Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Serbian Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Baptist, Buddhist, Church of Jesus Christ, Pentecostal, and nondenominational Christian) 19.8% (2019 est.)
Population growth rate
0.44% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital
name: Copenhagen
Executive branch
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK (elder son of the monarch, born on 26 May 1968)
head of government: Prime Minister Mette FREDERIKSEN (since 27 June 2019)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 each representing Greenland and the Faroe Islands; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier)
Economy
Economic overview
diversified EU trade-based economy; environmental regulatory innovator; dominant services sector; increased government spending but retaining budget surpluses; currently high inflation; unique "flexicurity" labor market
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$352.436 billion (2022 est.)
$339.472 billion (2021 est.)
$323.751 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$59,700 (2022 est.)
$58,000 (2021 est.)
$55,500 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beets, pork, rye, rapeseed, oats, poultry
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
Remittances
0.37% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.42% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.42% of GDP (2019 est.)
Exports
$234.262 billion (2021 est.)
$195.729 billion (2020 est.)
$205.019 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 14%, United States 10%, Sweden 10%, China 6%, Norway 5% (2021)
Exports - commodities
packaged medicines, pork, refined petroleum, electric generators, cheese (2021)
Imports
$208.121 billion (2021 est.)
$172.868 billion (2020 est.)
$179.356 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
Germany 21%, Sweden 12%, China 9%, Netherlands 8%, Poland 4% (2021)
Imports - commodities
cars, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment, computers (2021)
Exchange rates
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
6.287 (2021 est.)
6.542 (2020 est.)
6.669 (2019 est.)
6.315 (2018 est.)
6.603 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Tuesday, December 19, 2023
