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 part of the 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
total: 5,973,136
Ethnic 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.)
Population growth rate
0.44% (2024 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Capital
name: Copenhagen
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
summary: unicameral People's Assembly (179 seats)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Jesper Møller SØRENSEN (since 15 September 2023)
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Alan LEVENTHAL (since 1 July 2022)
Economy
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; tight labor market addressed by migrant workers and higher average retirement age
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$428.385 billion (2023 est.)
$420.44 billion (2022 est.)
$409.262 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$72,000 (2023 est.)
$71,200 (2022 est.)
$69,900 (2021 est.)
Exports
$278.917 billion (2023 est.)
$279.939 billion (2022 est.)
$237.861 billion (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 15%, US 11%, Sweden 10%, Netherlands 6%, Norway 5% (2022)
Exports - commodities
packaged medicine, garments, fish, electricity, refined petroleum (2022)
Imports
$240.269 billion (2023 est.)
$235.68 billion (2022 est.)
$210.716 billion (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
Germany 20%, Sweden 12%, China 9%, Netherlands 8%, Norway 5% (2022)
Imports - commodities
garments, cars, refined petroleum, electricity, packaged medicine (2022)
Page last updated: Tuesday, September 03, 2024
