Denmark – The Happiest Country in the World
Denmark (officially known as the Kingdom of Denmark) is a Scandinavian country located in Northern Europe on a peninsula north of Germany, bordering the Baltic and the North Sea.
Denmark covers a total area of 42,933 square kilometers and is the 133rd largest country globally. Estimates in 2022 put the population at 5,873,420, with the majority being comprised of Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, and Somali people. The official language of Denmark is Danish, although English is also widely spoken.
Denmark is noted for its high level of income equality excellent business climate and several times it was ranked as the “Happiest Place in the World”. Denmark’s capital Copenhagen is consistently ranked as one of the top European cities in terms of quality of life and is also famed as one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cities.
Denmark operates a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy and has five administrative divisions: Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark.
Denmark participated in several international organizations and was a founding member of the EU, NATO, OECD, and WTO. Although they have been a member of the EU since 1973, Denmark has not adopted the Euro and uses the Danish Krone as its official currency.
Denmark Economy
Estimated Denmark’s GDP in 2022 at $391.906 billion, and GDP per capita in 2022 stood at $66,904, ranking it the 30th most prosperous country in the world.
Denmark enjoys a modern market economy characterized by highly developed welfare measures. The country has a large services sector that generates 76% of the national GDP and a strong industry sector accounting for around 22.8% of GDP.
The country also benefits from a small but high-tech agricultural sector that produces 1.1% of the national GDP. Foodstuffs produced include barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets, pork, dairy products, and fish.
Denmark’s primary industries include iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery, transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, and medical equipment. Pharmaceuticals also play a crucial role, with the country being home to many of the world’s leading companies.
Trade with other EU countries accounts for a large proportion of Denmark’s imports and exports with commodities sent primarily to Germany 17.53%, Sweden 12.68%, UK 8.49%, and Norway 6%.
Denmark also imports some products, primarily machinery and equipment, raw materials for industry, chemicals, and foodstuffs, with 21% coming from Germany, Sweden 13.18%, Norway 7%, and the Netherlands 7%.
Denmark Infrastructure
Denmark’s primary transport infrastructure comprises two main networks (roads and railways) and many virtual terminals and gateways. The country is connected by an extensive road system that stretches 73,197 kilometers 1,111 kilometers of expressways, all of which are paved. Statistics estimated that 170 million tonnes of goods were carried out in 2010 compared to 151 million tonnes in 2009.
The country has several companies that operate a dense network of train stations and railway lines that link Danish and other major international cities. The railways throughout the country stretch over 2,667 kilometers and are estimated to transport a total of 1,095 million tons of freight per year.
Most large Danish cities operate an extensive public transport network consisting primarily of s-trains, buses, and an efficient subway system in Copenhagen. Cycling is also prevalent in Denmark, with major cities offering a good network of bike lanes and paths.
Denmark has several international airports, with Copenhagen’s being the largest. Other significant entry points by air are Aarhus, Billund, and Aalborg. Statistics Denmark reported that in 2018, commercial aviation in the country transported over 30.3 million air passengers.
Denmark is also home to a network of waterways and ports, the busiest of which is the Port of Copenhagen.
Denmark Workforce
Denmark’s labor force is at 2.947 million. 77% of the labor force work in the services sector, which is (according to Statistics Denmark) comprised primarily of trade and transport, arts, entertainment and recreation, public administration, education, health, and construction.
20.2% of workers, dominated by iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery, and transportation equipment manufacturing. At 2.5%, the minor proportion of the labor force work in agriculture, producing grain, dairy and meat products.
The labor force is predominantly Danish, with a small proportion of Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, and Somali people.
Denmark’s government spends an estimated 7.9% of GDP (2017) on education, and its focus results in a skilled workforce and a high literacy rate of 99%. Schooling is compulsory and accessible to all children from 7 through to 16 years old. The system is financed through taxation and is divided into four levels, Preschool, Basic, Youth, and Higher education. The country is particularly noted for producing highly skilled technicians and engineers.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 96% of young people complete a secondary education program, while 35% complete higher education. The country is home to some of the world’s most highly regarded universities, such as the University of Copenhagen.