Our Market

Below provides a profile of the Western Europe regional market overall, and interesting facts and information about issues important to both Denmark and foreign executives working in Copenhagen.

Geographic Profile

Denmark is part of Scandinavia situated in the north-west of Europe, bordered to the north by Norway, to the east by Sweden and to the south by Germany. Denmark 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). The Faroe Islands and Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but with own local parliament.

With only 43.098 km2 Denmark is one of the smallest countries in Europe. However, the geographic location, ‘on the top of the continent’ and surrounded by the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat and the Baltic Sea, has during history played a significant role for the country as it does today.

Also the many harbors have made the access to the sea and the most important markets easy and Denmark has with the belts been a gateway between Europe and the Nordic countries.

Copenhagen is the capital of Denmark with 1.167.569 inhabitants, followed by Aarhus 237.551, Odense 158.163 and Aalborg with 100.873 inhabitants.

Industry trade - export & import

As a result of the limited size of the domestic market, Denmark has a long tradition for seeking customers abroad and the Danish industry is highly export-oriented.

A healthy trade balance has been one of the major features of Denmark's recent economic growth. The EU-27 markets account for almost 70% of total commodity exports, and Denmark's immediate neighbours continue to be, by far, the most important customers.

Germany, Sweden and the United Kingdom alone account for almost 40% of Danish exports. Germany is the single most important market and accounts for almost 18% of all exported Danish goods. New markets have been opening up in Central and Eastern Europe and in the Far East. They have become important markets and now account for a considerable part of Danish exports.

Danish agricultural products, such as cheese, pork, fish, butter and cereals, have been exported for more than a century. Agriculture still accounts for 17% of Danish exports directly, and exports of machinery and equipment for the agricultural industry are also significant. The remaining approx. 80% consist of other manufactured goods such as machinery and technology, pharmaceuticals and electronics.

Climate concerns and dwindling fossil fuel resources are driving an increasing demand for renewable energy solutions. Denmark is also in this respect a leading force regarding development and manufacturing.

Denmark has a high employment rate and a low marginalization. The Danish working market is characterized by an active labour market policy with flexible legislation for hire and dismissal.

Education

The Danish Education System offers a wide range of education on all levels – also for people with an international background.

A few private, international schools offer education in foreign languages – mostly in English, but a few also in French and German. Some private schools offer education in the Arabic languages.

The international schools are located in Copenhagen and the big cities, except for one boarding school located in the southern part of Zealand.

Foreign students may be admitted to Danish higher education either as guest students, international students or as regular students along with the Danish applicants.

Higher education comprises the university sector, which offers research based undergraduate and graduate programmes, as well as a parallel sector for professional bachelor and diploma programmes and more business oriented programmes.

Most higher education institutions offer courses in English, and at graduate level several English programmes such as MBA and MPA programmes are available.

Key Figures

Total Area
43.098 km2

Population
5.511.451 (126 per square kilometers)

State religion
Lutheran

Official Language
Danish

Political Structure
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy with a one chamber parliamentary system. The present government is a coalition between the Liberals and the Conservatives, led by the Liberals.

Capital
Copenhagen

Membership of international groups/organisations:
United Nations (UN), European Union (EU), North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Nordic Council, World Trade Organisation (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Organisation for Co-operation and Security in Europe (OSCE), Council of Europe (CoE), Council of the Baltic Sea States, Antarctic Treaty.