CapitalCopenhagen
Population6,051,491
Area43,094 km²
GDP per capita$73,700
LanguagesDanish, Faroese, Greenlandic , and German
CurrencyDanish kroner
Life Expectancy82.1 yr
GovernmentParliamentary constitutional monarchy.
Introduction
Background
Historically a stronghold for Viking raiders and subsequently a significant power in Northern Europe, Denmark has transformed into a contemporary and affluent nation integrated into the broader political and economic framework of Europe. It became a member of NATO in 1949 and joined the EEC (currently the EU) in 1973. The nation has chosen to abstain from specific provisions of the Maastricht Treaty, such as the European Economic and Monetary Union, along with matters related to justice and home affairs. A referendum held in 2022 led to the annulment of Denmark's 30-year opt-out concerning defense matters, enabling the country to fully engage in the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy.
Geography
Area
land
42,434 sq km
water
660 sq km
total
43,094 sq km
Climate
characterized by a temperate climate; marked by humidity and overcast conditions; featuring mild and windy winters along with cool summers.
Terrain
consists of low-lying and flat terrain that gradually transitions to gently rolling plains.
Land use
other
18.5% (2023 est.)
forest
16% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
65.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 59.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 5.6% (2023 est.)
Location
situated in Northern Europe, adjacent to the Baltic Sea and the North Sea, on a peninsula that lies north of Germany (Jutland); it also comprises several significant islands, including Sjaelland, Fyn, and Bornholm.
Coastline
7,314 km
Elevation
lowest point
Lammefjord -7 m
highest point
Store Mollehoj 171 m
mean elevation
34 m
Irrigated land
2,420 sq km (2022)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
141 km
border countries
Germany 140 km; Canada 1.3 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
certain regions within the country face a risk of flooding (for instance, specific areas in Jutland and along the southern coastline of Lolland Island) that are safeguarded from the sea by an extensive network of dikes.
Geography - note
made up of the Jutland Peninsula and over 400 islands (collectively known as the Danish Archipelago); it governs the Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) that connect the Baltic Sea with the North Sea; approximately one-quarter of the population resides in the greater Copenhagen area.
Natural resources
resources include petroleum, natural gas, fish, arable land, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel, and sand.
Area - comparative
has an area slightly less than double that of Massachusetts; roughly two-thirds the size of West Virginia.
Geographic coordinates
56 00 N, 10 00 E
Population distribution
population concentrations are primarily found along coastal regions, especially in Copenhagen and on the eastern portion of the mainland.
People & Society
Languages
Languages
Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (a dialect of Inuit), and German (a minor segment); it is noteworthy that English serves as the main secondary language
major-language sample(s)
Verdens Faktabog, den uundværlig kilde til grundlæggende oplysninger. (Danish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
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.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.03 male(s)/female
total population
0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.86 male(s)/female
Birth rate
9.81 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
10.56 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
41 years
total
42.2 years (2025 est.)
female
43.4 years
Population
male
3,001,698
total
6,051,491 (2025 est.)
female
3,049,793
Nationality
noun
Dane(s)
adjective
Danish
Tobacco use
male
14.4% (2025 est.)
total
14.3% (2025 est.)
female
14.3% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
88.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.54% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
16.2% (male 496,793/female 471,018)
15-64 years
62.9% (male 1,903,315/female 1,856,615)
65 years and over
20.8% (2024 est.) (male 575,153/female 670,242)
Ethnic groups
Danish (which encompasses Greenlandic, primarily spoken by Inuit, and Faroese) 84.2%, Turkish 1.1%, and other 14.7% (the most significant groups include Polish, Romanian, Syrian, Ukrainian, German, and Iraqi) (2023 estimate)
Child marriage
women married by age 18
0.7% (2021)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
57.2 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
24.5 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
3.1 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
32.7 (2025 est.)
Physician density
7.24 physicians/1,000 population (2021)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
9.5% of GDP (2022)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
17.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
7.12 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
2.5 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.5 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
6.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
14.2% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
3.4 deaths/1,000 live births
total
3.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
2.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.64% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.73 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
population hubs are generally located along the coast, especially in Copenhagen and on the eastern part of the mainland
Life expectancy at birth
male
80.2 years
female
84.1 years
total population
82.1 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
4 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
3.42 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
4.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
9.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
1.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.381 million COPENHAGEN (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
19.7% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
29.8 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
54.3% (2024 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
18 years (2023 est.)
total
18 years (2023 est.)
female
19 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
mild; moist and cloudy; gentle, breezy winters and moderate summers
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Odsherred; South Funen Archipelago; West Jutland (2024)
total global geoparks and regional networks
3 (2024)
Land use
other
18.5% (2023 est.)
forest
16% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
65.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 59.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 5.6% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
88.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.54% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
5.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
54.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
49.7 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
236.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
4.911 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
35.4% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
atmospheric contamination, mainly stemming from automobile and energy facility discharges; nitrogen and phosphorus contamination of the North Sea; aquatic pollution due to livestock waste and pesticides
Total water withdrawal
municipal
382.787 million cubic meters (2022)
industrial
45.076 million cubic meters (2022)
agricultural
506.487 million cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
29.915 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
4.841 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
2.54 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
22.535 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
10.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
6 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
Antarctic-Environmental Protection
Government
Flag
description: A red background featuring a white cross that stretches to the flag's edges; the vertical section of the cross is positioned towards the left.
history: Known as the Dannebrog (Danish flag), it ranks among the oldest national flags globally; its design origin remains uncertain. One legend suggests that the flag descended from the sky during a battle in the early 13th century, rallying the royal forces to victory. In reality, the flag might trace its roots to a crusader banner.
Capital
name
Copenhagen
etymology
name derives from the Danish words køber (merchant or buyer) and havn (harbor or port)
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, in Standard Time).
daylight saving time
+1hr, commencing on the last Sunday of March and concluding on the last Sunday of October; note - this applies solely to continental Denmark, excluding its North Atlantic territories.
geographic coordinates
55 40 N, 12 35 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Denmark
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
Constitution
history
several previous; latest adopted 5 June 1953
amendment process
Proposed by the Folketing (Parliament) with the government's approval; enactment necessitates endorsement by the subsequent Folketing following a general election, a simple majority vote of at least 40% of voters in a referendum, and consent from the chief of state.
Country name
etymology
The term originates from Dane, a tribal name with ambiguous Germanic roots, and mark, a Danish term meaning a march (borderland).
local long form
Kongeriget Danmark
local short form
Danmark
conventional long form
Kingdom of Denmark
conventional short form
Denmark
Independence
Circa 965 (unified and Christianized under Harald I GORMSSON); 5 June 1849 (established as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy).
Legal system
Civil law; legislative acts undergo judicial review.
Government type
Parliamentary constitutional monarchy.
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 18 judges)
subordinate courts
Special Court of Indictment and Revision; 2 High Courts; Maritime and Commercial Court; county courts.
judge selection and term of office
Judges are appointed by the monarch based on the recommendation of the Minister of Justice, with counsel from the Judicial Appointments Council, an independent body comprising 6 judges and lawyers; judges serve for life and retire at the age of 70.
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of State appointed by the monarch
chief of state
King FREDERIK X (since 14 January 2024)
head of government
Prime Minister Mette FREDERIKSEN (since 27 June 2019)
election/appointment process
The monarchy is hereditary; typically, after legislative elections, the monarch designates the leader of the majority party or coalition as prime minister.
National holiday
Constitution Day, 5 June (1849)
National color(s)
red, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
12 (8 cultural, 4 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Denmark: Mounds, Runic Stones, and Church at Jelling (c); Roskilde Cathedral (c); Kronborg Castle (c); Wadden Sea (n); Stevns Klint (n); Christiansfeld, Moravian Church Settlement (c); Par force hunting landscape, North Zealand (c); Greenland: Ilulissat Icefjord (n); Kujataa, Norse and Inuit Farming (c); Aasivissuit–Nipisat, Inuit Hunting Ground (c); Viking-Age Ring Fortresses (c); Møns Klint (n).
Political parties
The Alternative or AP
Conservative People's Party or DKF or C
Danish People's Party or DF or O
Denmark Democrats or E
Green Left or SF or F (formerly Socialist People's Party or SF or F)
Liberal Alliance or LA or I
Liberal Party (Venstre) or V
Moderates or M
New Right Party or NB or D
Red-Green Alliance (Unity List) or EL
Social Democrats or SDP or A
Social Liberal Party or SLP or B
Legislative branch
chamber name
The Danish Parliament (Folketinget)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
179 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament (Folketinget)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/1/2022
expected date of next election
October 2026
percentage of women in chamber
43.6%
parties elected and seats per party
Social Democratic Party (50); Liberal Party (Venstre) (23); Moderates (M) (16); Socialist People's Party (SF) (15); Danish Democrats (Æ) (14); Liberal Alliance (14); Conservative People's Party (10); Unity List-Red-Green Alliance (9); Others (24).
National anthem(s)
title
“Kong Christian stod ved højen mast” (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast).
history
Adopted in 1780; recognized as one of the oldest royal anthems globally; performed during occasions involving Danish royalty; this anthem shares equal status with the national anthem.
lyrics/music
Johannes EWALD/unknown
National symbol(s)
lion, mute swan
National coat of arms
In 1819, King Frederick VI of Denmark adopted the national coat of arms; the crown of King Christian V, who ruled Denmark and Norway from 1670 to 1699, resides atop the shield, signifying royal and national authority; the three lions symbolize a strong and powerful nation, complemented by red lily pads shaped like hearts representing strength, valor, and joy.
Administrative divisions
Metropolitan Denmark is divided into 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden (Capital), Midtjylland (Central Jutland), Nordjylland (North Jutland), Sjaelland (Zealand), Syddanmark (Southern Denmark).
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 328-1470
chancery
3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 234-4300
chief of mission
Ambassador Jesper Møller SØRENSEN (since 15 September 2023).
consulate(s) general
Chicago, Houston, New York, Silicon Valley (CA)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://usa.um.dk/en
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[45] 35-43-02-23
embassy
Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Kobenhavn 0
telephone
[45] 33-41-71-00
mailing address
5280 Copenhagen Place, Washington DC 20521-5280.
chief of mission
Ambassador Kenneth A. HOWERY (since 5 November 2025).
email address and website
[email protected]
https://dk.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
International law organization participation
Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction.
Economy
Budget
revenues
$149.393 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$136.662 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$283.37 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$276.646 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$299.405 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$245.07 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$243.478 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$252.954 billion (2024 est.)
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
Labor force
3.21 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017
35.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
0.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
6.542 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
6.287 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
7.076 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
6.89 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
6.894 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a high-income, EU-member, trade-focused Nordic economy; growth is propelled by pharmaceuticals, energy, and services; a significant proportion of employment is found in the public sector; a fixed exchange rate pegged to the euro; solid fiscal standing with decreasing public debt; a tight labor market is alleviated by migrant labor and an increased retirement age
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
4.5% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
5.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
5.6% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 13%, USA 10%, Sweden 9%, Netherlands 7%, China 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
Germany 18%, Sweden 11%, Norway 10%, Netherlands 9%, China 7% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$70,200 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$71,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$73,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
1.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
2.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
3.7% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, wheat, potatoes, barley, sugar beets, pork, rapeseed, rye, oats, chicken (2023)
Exports - commodities
packaged medicine, fish, vaccines, refined petroleum, pork (2023)
Imports - commodities
natural gas, cars, garments, packaged medicine, refined petroleum (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
$46.488 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$40.061 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$55.901 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
31.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$429.457 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
45.5% (2023 est.)
government consumption
22.5% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
0.2% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
22.6% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
68% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-59.8% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
12.4% (2021 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
11.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
3.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
7.7% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
3.3% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.4% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
12% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$414.592 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$424.937 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$440.558 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
12.3% (2024 est.)
total
12.1% (2024 est.)
female
11.9% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$96.073 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$109.371 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$108.405 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
24% (2024 est.)
services
64% (2024 est.)
agriculture
0.7% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.6% (2022 est.)
highest 10%
24.5% (2022 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022
29.3 (2022 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
124,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
1.296 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
1.135 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
63,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
441 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
151,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
Electricity
exports
16.698 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
19.831 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
35.253 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
20.794 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
1.825 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
8.388 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports
8.612 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
2.021 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
2.309 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
29.534 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
98.513 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
57.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
9.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
11.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
21.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
100% (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
a significant presence of public television, characterized by Danmarks Radio (DR) managing 6 channels and TV2 running approximately six channels; private television stations can be accessed through satellite and cable services; DR oversees 4 FM radio stations, 10 digital audio channels, and 14 internet radio platforms; in 2019, there were 140 commercial radio stations and 187 community (non-commercial) radio outlets.
Internet country code
.dk
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
698,000 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
12 (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
7.57 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
127 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
2.65 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
44 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
1
small
30
medium
2
key ports
Abenra, Alborg, Arhus, Assens, Augustenborg, Bandholm, Esbjerg, Faborg, Fredericia, Frederikshavn, Haderslev, Holstebro-Stuer, Kalundborg, Kobenhavn, Kolding, Korsor, Marstal, Middelfart, Naestved, Nakskov, Nyborg, Nykobing, Odense, Randers, Ronne, Rudkobing, Sakskobing, Skagen Havn, Sonderborg, Stubbekobing, Studstrup, Svendborg, Vejle
very small
36
total ports
69 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
33
Airports
102 (2025)
Railways
total
2,682 km (2020) 876 km electrified
Heliports
29 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
715 (2023)
by type
15 bulk carriers, 132 container ships, 69 general cargo vessels, 107 oil tankers, and 392 other types
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
OY
Military & Security
Military - note
The Danish Armed Forces (Forsvaret) are tasked with a range of responsibilities, which encompass safeguarding the nation's sovereignty, overseeing Danish airspace and waters, conducting search and rescue operations, protecting the environment, providing support to alliance partners, engaging in international peacekeeping, fulfilling commitments to NATO, and offering assistance to police for border enforcement, surveillance missions, and during national emergencies and disasters.
NATO has been integral to Denmark's security and defense strategy since its accession in 1949 as one of the founding members under the North Atlantic Treaty (commonly referred to as the Washington Treaty). The Forsvaret routinely collaborates with NATO allies and is involved in several NATO operations, such as its Enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe, air policing in the Baltic region, naval missions in both the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic, and an advisory role in Iraq. Additionally, the Forsvaret leads NATO's Multinational Division – North, which was established in 2019 and is headquartered in Latvia, facilitating defense planning for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, as well as coordinating regional military activities, including NATO's forward-deployed units. The Forsvaret also engages in various international missions for Europe and the United Nations, ranging from peacekeeping efforts in Africa to patrolling the Mediterranean Sea to assist the European Border and Coast Guard Agency in safeguarding Europe's external borders. In 2022, Denmark participated in a referendum that resulted in its decision to join the EU’s Common Defense and Security Policy. The Forsvaret works in close partnership with the military forces of other Nordic nations through the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO; established in 2009), which includes Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, focusing on areas such as armaments, training, exercises, and operational collaboration. Furthermore, it maintains a joint composite special operations command with Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Forsvaret operates an Arctic Command to uphold Denmark's sovereignty in the Arctic region, which includes the Faroe Islands and Greenland, carrying out tasks such as maritime pollution prevention, environmental monitoring, fishery inspections, search and rescue missions, and hydrographic surveys, in addition to supporting governmental scientific endeavors. It also features a joint service Special Operations Command (SOKOM), which encompasses the Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite unit responsible for patrolling the most isolated areas of northeast Greenland (2025).
Military deployments
Denmark provides air, ground, and naval forces for various international missions, including ground troops for NATO's forward defenses in Latvia (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2021
1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
2.3% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2025
3.2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military and security forces
Danish Armed Forces (Forsvaret): Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force (2025).
Military service age and obligation
The minimum age for both compulsory and voluntary military service for individuals of all genders is 18 years. Draftees are required to serve for 11 months, which consists of five months of basic training followed by six months in an operational unit (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The inventory of the Danish military consists of contemporary weapons and equipment sourced from European, Israeli, American, and domestic manufacturers. The Danish defense industry is actively involved in the production of naval vessels, defense electronics, and components for larger weapon systems, such as the US F-35 fighter aircraft. Notably, the principal warships of the Royal Danish Navy are manufactured domestically (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
Approximately 17,000 personnel are actively serving in the military (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
100,832 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
8,566 (2024 est.)
