Europe :: Denmark
page last updated on June 14, 2011
Flag of Denmark
Location of Denmark
 
Map of Denmark
Introduction ::Denmark
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. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However, the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty, including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), European defense cooperation, and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.
Geography ::Denmark
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)
56 00 N, 10 00 E
total: 43,094 sq km
country comparison to the world: 133
land: 42,434 sq km
water: 660 sq km
note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland
slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts
total: 68 km
border countries: Germany 68 km
7,314 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
low and flat to gently rolling plains
lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m
highest point: Mollehoj/Ejer Bavnehoj 171 m
petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand
arable land: 52.59%
permanent crops: 0.19%
other: 47.22% (2005)
4,350 sq km (2008)
6.1 cu km (2003)
total: 0.67 cu km/yr (32%/26%/42%)
per capita: 123 cu m/yr (2002)
flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes
air pollution, principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen
People ::Denmark
5,529,888 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
0-14 years: 17.6% (male 500,265/female 474,829)
15-64 years: 65.3% (male 1,811,198/female 1,798,507)
65 years and over: 17.1% (male 417,957/female 527,132) (2011 est.)
total: 40.9 years
male: 40 years
female: 41.8 years (2011 est.)
0.251% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
10.29 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
10.19 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
2.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
urban population: 87% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
COPENHAGEN (capital) 1.174 million (2009)
at birth: 1.055 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
total: 4.24 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 196
male: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
total population: 78.63 years
country comparison to the world: 48
male: 76.25 years
female: 81.14 years (2011 est.)
1.74 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
5,300 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)
noun: Dane(s)
adjective: Danish
Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali
Evangelical Lutheran (official) 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2%
Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority)
note: English is the predominant second language
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
total: 17 years
male: 16 years
female: 18 years (2008)
7.8% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 11
Government ::Denmark
conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark
conventional short form: Denmark
local long form: Kongeriget Danmark
local short form: Danmark
constitutional monarchy
name: Copenhagen
geographic coordinates: 55 40 N, 12 35 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
note: applies to continental Denmark only, not to its North Atlantic components
metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark
note: an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007
ca. 965 (unified and Christianized under HARALD I Gormson); 5 June 1849 (became a constitutional monarchy)
none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day
5 June 1953; note - constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state
civil law; judicial review of legislative acts
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
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 Lars Loekke RASMUSSEN (since 5 April 2009)
cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarch
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch
unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier)
elections: last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held by November 2011)
election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.2%, Social Democrats 25.5%, Danish People's Party 13.9%, Socialist People's Party 13.0%, Conservative People's Party 10.4%, Social Liberal Party 5.1%, New Alliance 2.8%, Red-Green Unity List 2.2%, other 0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 46, Social Democrats 45, Danish People's Party 25, Socialist People's Party 23, Conservative People's Party 18, Social Liberal Party 9, New Alliance 5, Red-Green Alliance 4; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands
Supreme Court (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)
Christian Democrats [Bjarne Hartung KIRKEGAARD] (was Christian People's Party); Conservative People's Party [Lars BARFOED]; Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Alliance [Anders SAMUELSEN]; Liberal Party [Lars Loekke RASMUSSEN]; Red-Green Unity List (Alliance) [collective leadership] (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party); Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL]
Confederation of Danish Employers or DA [President Jorn Neergaard LARSEN]; Principal DA member organizations: Confederation of Danish Industries [CEO Karsten DYBVAD]; Confederation of Danish Labor Unions [President Harald BORSTING]; Danish Bankers Association [CEO Joergen HORWITZ]; DaneAge Association [President Bjarne HASTRUP]; Danish Society for Nature Conservation [President Ella Maria BISSCHOP-LARSEN]
other: humanitarian relief; development assistance; human rights NGOs
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter TAKSOE-JENSEN
chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300
FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470
consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Laurie S. FULTON
embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen
mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716
telephone: [45] 33 41 71 00
FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23
red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary, but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth, this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory; in actuality, the flag may derive from a crusade banner or ensign
note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
name: "Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Land); "Kong Christian" (King Christian)
lyrics/music: Adam Gottlob OEHLENSCHLAGER/Hans Ernst KROYER; Johannes EWALD/unknown
note: Denmark has two national anthems with equal status; "Der er et yndigt land," adopted 1844, is a national anthem, while "Kong Christian," adopted 1780, serves as both a national and royal anthem; "Kong Christian" is also known as "Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast" (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast) and "Kongesangen" (The King's Anthem); within Denmark, the royal anthem is played only when royalty is present and is usually followed by the national anthem; when royalty is not present, only the national anthem is performed; outside Denmark, the royal anthem is played, unless the national anthem is requested
Economy ::Denmark
This thoroughly modern market economy features a high-tech agricultural sector, state-of-the-art industry with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping and renewable energy, and a high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a member of the European Union (EU); Danish legislation and regulations conform to EU standards on almost all issues. Danes enjoy among the highest standards of living in the world and the Danish economy is characterized by extensive government welfare measures and an equitable distribution of income. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus, but depends on imports of raw materials for the manufacturing sector. Within the EU, Denmark is among the strongest supporters of trade liberalization. After a long consumption-driven upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in 2007 with the end of a housing boom. Housing prices dropped markedly in 2008-09. The global financial crisis has exacerbated this cyclical slowdown through increased borrowing costs and lower export demand, consumer confidence, and investment. The global financial crises cut Danish GDP by 0.9% in 2008 and 5.2% in 2009. Historically low levels of unemployment rose sharply with the recession but remain below 5%, based on the national measure, about half the level of the EU; harmonized to OECD standards the unemployment rate was about 8% at the end of 2010. Denmark made a modest recovery in 2010 in part because of increased government spending. An impending decline in the ratio of workers to retirees will be a major long-term issue. Denmark maintained a healthy budget surplus for many years up to 2008, but the budget balance swung into deficit during 2009-10. Nonetheless, Denmark's fiscal position remains among the strongest in the EU. Despite previously meeting the criteria to join the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), so far Denmark has decided not to join, although the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro.
$201.7 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
$197.7 billion (2009 est.)
$208.5 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
$310.8 billion (2010 est.)
2.1% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
-5.2% (2009 est.)
-1.1% (2008 est.)
$36,600 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$35,900 (2009 est.)
$38,000 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
agriculture: 1.1%
industry: 22.8%
services: 76.1% (2010 est.)
2.82 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
agriculture: 2.5%
industry: 20.2%
services: 77.3% (2005 est.)
4.2% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
4.3% (2009 est.)
12.1% (2007)
lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 28.7% (2007)
29 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 118
24.7 (1992)
17.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
revenues: $160.3 billion
expenditures: $175.9 billion (2010 est.)
46.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
41.5% of GDP (2009 est.)
2.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
1.3% (2009 est.)
1.75% (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 116
1.75% (31 December 2009)
NA%
$148.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
$153.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$209 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$226.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$636.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
$671.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$186.9 billion (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 32
$131.5 billion (31 December 2008)
$277.7 billion (31 December 2007)
barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish
iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment
4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
36.4 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
34.3 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
11.36 billion kWh (2008)
12.82 billion kWh (2008)
262,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
166,500 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
268,500 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
173,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
1.06 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
8.398 billion cu m (2009)
country comparison to the world: 44
4.41 billion cu m (2009)
country comparison to the world: 61
3.98 billion cu m (2009)
country comparison to the world: 29
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 175
61.3 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$14.35 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
$12.43 billion (2009 est.)
$99.37 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$91.51 billion (2009 est.)
machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills
Germany 17.53%, Sweden 12.68%, UK 8.49%, US 6.05%, Norway 6.01%, Netherlands 4.84%, France 4.57% (2009)
$90.83 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
$84.46 billion (2009 est.)
machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods
Germany 21.07%, Sweden 13.18%, Norway 7%, Netherlands 6.97%, China 6.22%, UK 5.53% (2009)
$NA (31 December 2010 est.)
$76.65 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$559.5 billion (30 June 2010)
country comparison to the world: 19
$588.8 billion (31 December 2008)
$149.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$144.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
$199.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
$186.6 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
5.624 (2010)
5.361 (2009)
5.0236 (2008)
5.4797 (2007)
5.9468 (2006)
Communications ::Denmark
2.062 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 56
7.406 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 79
general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services
domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, multiple cellular mobile communications systems
international: country code - 45; a series of fiber-optic submarine cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (2008)
strong public-sector television presence with state-owned Danmarks Radio (DR) operating 4 channels and publicly-owned TV2 operating roughly a half dozen channels; broadcasts of privately-owned stations are available via satellite and cable feed; DR operates 4 nationwide FM radio stations, 15 digital audio broadcasting stations, and about 15 web-based radio stations; approximately 250 commercial and community radio stations are operational (2007)
.dk
4.145 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 22
4.75 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 48
Transportation ::Denmark
92 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 65
total: 28
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 12
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
total: 64
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 61 (2010)
gas 2,858 km; oil 107 km (2010)
total: 2,667 km
country comparison to the world: 61
standard gauge: 2,667 km 1.435-m gauge (640 km electrified) (2008)
total: 73,197 km
country comparison to the world: 64
paved: 73,197 km (includes 1,111 km of expressways) (2008)
400 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 88
total: 347
country comparison to the world: 28
by type: bulk carrier 4, cargo 56, carrier 1, chemical tanker 104, container 87, liquefied gas 4, passenger/cargo 40, petroleum tanker 38, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 3
foreign-owned: 32 (Germany 10, Greece 1, Iceland 3, Norway 2, Sweden 16)
registered in other countries: 592 (Antigua and Barbuda 20, Bahamas 59, Belgium 4, Brazil 3, Cyprus 6, Egypt 1, France 12, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 6, Hong Kong 41, Isle of Man 26, Italy 4, Jamaica 1, Liberia 4, Lithuania 8, Malaysia 1, Malta 41, Marshall Islands 7, Mexico 2, Netherlands 36, former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 11, Panama 46, Portugal 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 19, Singapore 125, South Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 15, UK 46, Uruguay 1, US 34, Venezuela 1, unknown 3) (2010)
Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg
Military ::Denmark
Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Arctic Command, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2010)
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service; women eligible to volunteer for military service (2004)
males age 16-49: 1,236,337
females age 16-49: 1,224,182 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 1,014,560
females age 16-49: 1,003,921 (2010 est.)
male: 37,913
female: 35,865 (2010 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Transnational Issues ::Denmark
Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study proposals for full independence; sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission