About Denmark
Country facts
Geography and demographics:
Denmark covers an area of 42,925 km², with Copenhagen as its capital. The country comprises the Jutland Peninsula and 406 islands, and has a population of around 6 million. It is the smallest of the Scandinavian countries.
The Kingdom of Denmark includes the autonomous regions of Greenland and the Faroe Islands. As a general principle, the Danish Constitution assigns responsibility for the foreign and security affairs of the entire Kingdom to the Danish government. However, on key issues such as security, the EU, or the UN, both the Greenlandic and Faroese populations have strong interests. To safeguard the foreign policy interests of all parts of the Kingdom, there is close cooperation between the Danish government and the home rule governments of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
Greenland is the world’s largest island, covering 2,175,600 km², with about 80% of its surface covered by an ice sheet. It is home to approximately 55,745 people.
The Faroe Islands have a population of almost 56,000 people, similar to Greenland, but their size is significantly smaller, covering 1,399 km² spread across 18 volcanic islands.
Government
Denmark operates as a constitutional monarchy. King Frederik X serves as the Head of State, carrying out diplomatic, ceremonial, and representative duties. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister acts as the country’s political leader.
The Danish parliament is unicameral, consisting of a single chamber called the Folketing, where the government is elected for a four-year term. Governments are typically formed as minority coalitions, relying on the support of other parties to function effectively. As a result, compromise and collaboration between parties are central features of Danish politics.
The current government is a coalition of three parties: the Social Democrats, the Liberals, and the Moderates. Mette Frederiksen serves as the Prime Minister, while Lars Løkke Rasmussen holds the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. The government assumed office on December 15, 2022. The next general election will take place (at latest) October 2026.
Denmark and the European Union
Denmark joined the European Union following a referendum in 1972. Although it is an EU member, Denmark chose not to adopt the euro and continues to use its own currency, the Danish krone.
In 1993, the Danish people voted to ratify the Maastricht Treaty, while securing four opt-outs that allowed the country to maintain certain national priorities within the EU framework. In 2022, Denmark abolished its defence opt-out, strengthening its cooperation with the EU on security and defence.
Today, 74% of Danes tend to trust the EU, significantly above the EU average, reflecting Denmark’s strong and positive engagement in European cooperation.
For information about travelling to Denmark, studying or working in Denmark please look under "Travel and residence".
