Topics
See where the different parties stand on the biggest political questions.
Labour Market
Employment is at a historic high of 75.4% in 2024. Foreign nationals accounted for 45% of employment growth between 2013 and 2023. The flexi-job scheme has shown notable results for people with disabilities.
Housing Policy
House prices in the major cities have risen dramatically. In 2024, over 82,000 citizens were assigned a social housing unit -- an all-time high. The social housing sector serves as the welfare state's housing safety net.
Digitalisation & AI
Denmark ranks 3rd in the EU's digitalisation index. The government's 2024 AI strategy invests DKK 800 million, with a dedicated AI Taskforce of DKK 30.6 million for large-scale public-sector AI solutions.
Business Policy & Entrepreneurship
Denmark is ranked 4th in the world for ease of doing business, but the 22% corporate tax rate and growing EU regulation shape the debate about what it takes to attract investment and foster entrepreneurship.
EU & Foreign Policy
Denmark's role in the EU and NATO, and its relations with Russia, the United States and China, are central foreign-policy questions.
Defence & NATO
Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 upended Danish defence policy. The defence budget has since doubled, and Denmark met NATO's 2% target for the first time in 2024.
Immigration & Integration
The number of residence permits reached an all-time high in 2024, driven by work and study immigration. Integration outcomes are improving, but the gender gap in refugee employment remains stark.
Climate & Environment
Denmark is projected to achieve roughly 68.5% CO2 reduction by 2030 -- close to, but short of, the legally binding 70% target. The energy sector has been transformed, whilst agriculture and transport still account for the largest remaining emission cuts needed.
Law & Justice
Overall crime levels are falling, but new patterns -- particularly a sharp rise in shoplifting -- and public perceptions of safety are central criminal-justice issues.
Healthcare
The Danish healthcare system is undergoing a structural reorganisation. Waiting times have fallen significantly after the "Emergency Plan", but demographic pressure, recruitment challenges and the privatisation debate continue to shape the picture.
Education
In March 2024 a broad parliamentary majority agreed on the "School Quality Programme" with DKK 740 million annually and 10 concrete initiatives. PISA scores fell in 2022, but Denmark spends 6.4% of GDP on education -- above the OECD average.
Welfare & Public Services
The universal welfare state is a cornerstone of Danish society. But with an ageing population and growing pressure on public services, there is an ongoing debate about who should pay and who should deliver them.
Elderly Care
The number of Danes over 80 is expected to more than double -- from 272,000 in 2020 to 616,000 in 2050. Care needs per resident are rising, whilst the share of temporary staff and residents with dementia in care homes is growing.
Economy & Tax
The Danish economy is in an unusually strong position in 2024, with positive fiscal sustainability but labour-market capacity pressures. The tax burden stands at 45.6% of GDP, funding the universal welfare state.