Election 2026Follow the election on March 24, 2026 with a live map and official results from valg.dk.
POLICY TOPIC

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.

SUMMARY

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. School Quality Programme -- annual funding: DKK 740m/year (Undervisningsministeriet 2024). Share with higher education (ages 30-34): 52% (Danmarks Statistik 2022).

KEY FIGURES

DKK 740m/year
School Quality Programme -- annual funding
52%
Share with higher education (ages 30-34)
6.4%
Public education spending (% of GDP)

See statistics in the charts below ↓

EVIDENCE BASE

In March 2024 a broad political majority agreed on the "School Quality Programme -- Freedom and Depth", allocating DKK 740 million annually to the public school system. Ten initiatives focus on teaching-method freedom, junior apprenticeships from year 8-9 and DKK 540 million for physical textbooks.

Danish 15-year-olds scored 489 points in PISA reading 2022 -- above the OECD average of 476 but significantly below Denmark's peak of 501 in 2018. The decline is partly attributable to COVID-19 disruptions.

ESTABLISHED CONSENSUSOECD PISA 2022

52% of Danes aged 30-34 hold a higher education degree -- exceeding the EU's 45% target.

ESTABLISHED CONSENSUSDanmarks Statistik 2022

Socioeconomic background still has a significant influence on educational choices and completion in Denmark. The absence of an academic secondary qualification is inherited across generations.

ESTABLISHED CONSENSUSVIVE 2023

STATISTICS AND DATA

PISA score -- reading, Denmark (2006-2022)
0100200300400500496 point495 point496 point500 point501 point489 point200620092012201520182022
CONTEXTPISA measures 15-year-old students' competencies in reading, mathematics and science every three years. Denmark historically scored above the OECD average (476 in 2022) but fell to 489 in the latest round -- its lowest since 2006. The drop from 501 (2018) to 489 (2022) is partly due to COVID-19 disruptions, but research also points to a longer-term decline in basic reading skills. PISA measures only one type of competency and is not a comprehensive measure of education quality. It is partly on the basis of this result that the "School Quality Programme" invests DKK 540 million in physical textbooks.
Public education spending (% of GDP) -- international comparison 2021
Denmark6.4 %Sweden6.5 %Norway5.7 %Finland5.6 %OECD avg.5 %Germany4.7 %
CONTEXTDenmark invests 6.4% of GDP in education -- above the OECD average of 5.0%. High spending is not solely a measure of quality but reflects the universal and free education system from nursery to university, including a state study grant (SU) for all students. Yet PISA figures show that high resources do not automatically produce high results -- Sweden spends slightly more but scores lower.

PARTY POSITIONS

Importance shows how central this topic is to each party's platform.

Relevant

A class-size cap of 14 pupils in the youngest school years is the flagship policy for the 2026 election. Wants to invest in stronger academic standards and inclusion.

Relevant

Wants more academic rigour and fewer experiments in schools. Better conditions for vocational training and independent schools.

Secondary

Wants Danish cultural education and shared national values at the centre rather than progressive educational experiments.

Important

A stronger public school is a top priority. Wants fewer pupils per class and more time for each child.

Relevant

Wants to open up for more competition in education with free choice and market-based solutions.

Relevant

Wants better results, not necessarily larger budgets. Believes quality and efficiency can be improved within existing frameworks.

Relevant

Wants high academic standards in schools and the freedom to choose private or independent schools.

Relevant

Wants to ensure free and universal access to all education and restore the level of the state study grant.

Important

Education is a historic core issue. Wants to invest in schools, research and lifelong learning.

Secondary

Wants Danish cultural education and core academic skills at the centre of the school system.

Relevant

Wants to make education more creative and sustainability-oriented. Sceptical of the current testing culture.

Secondary

Wants core academic skills and less state control over what schools teach.

SOURCES

[K1]Undervisningsministeriet: Folkeskolens kvalitetsprogram, marts 2024: I marts 2024 indgik et bredt politisk flertal aftalen "Folkeskolens kvalitetspro…
[K2]OECD PISA 2022: Danske 15-årige scorer 489 point i PISA-læsning 2022 – under OECD-gennemsnittet …
[K3]Danmarks Statistik 2022: 52 % af 30-34-årige danskere har en videregående uddannelse – over EU's 45 %-mål…
[K4]VIVE 2023: Socioøkonomisk baggrund har fortsat stor indflydelse på uddannelsesvalg og -genn…
[S1]Undervisningsministeriet 2024: Folkeskolens kvalitetsprogram – årlig bevilling: 740 mio. kr./år
[S2]Danmarks Statistik 2022: Andel med videregående uddannelse (30-34 år): 52 %
[S3]OECD 2021: Offentlige uddannelsesudgifter (% af BNP): 6,4 %
[P]DanPol: Party positions based on official party programmes and public statements.
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