Quick facts
Denmark population overview
Denmark is the 22nd most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 6,014,905 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.3% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 51 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 59,548 births (9.9 per 1,000 people) and 58,946 deaths (9.8 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 18,045 people. The infant mortality rate is 2.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 4,579,603 in 1960 to 6,009,169 in 2025 — a change of +31.2%, or +0.4% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 41.3 years; life expectancy at birth is 82.4 years; women have on average 1.5 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 15.6% of residents are under 15 and 21.1% are 65 or older (2025); 88.8% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Copenhagen. Denmark covers 42,920 km², giving a population density of about 140 people per km². GDP was $462.53B in 2025 — about $76,970 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Denmark population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 6,029,774 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 6,014,905 |
| World rank | #114 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #22 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.073% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.3% |
| Births per year est. | 59,548 |
| Deaths per year est. | 58,946 |
| Net migration per year est. | +18,045 |
| Birth rate | 9.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.8 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 2.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.9 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 41.3 years |
| Life expectancy | 82.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 88.8% |
| Surface area 2023 | 42,920 km² |
| Population density | 140 per km² |
| Capital | Copenhagen |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $462.53B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $76,970 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Denmark population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 6,029,774 | – | – |
| 2025 | 6,009,169 | +32,177 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 5,976,992 | +30,040 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 5,946,952 | +43,915 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 5,903,037 | +46,304 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 5,856,733 | +25,329 | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 5,831,404 | +147,921 | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 5,683,483 | +135,800 | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 5,547,683 | +128,251 | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 5,419,432 | +79,816 | +0.3% |
| 2000 | 5,339,616 | +106,243 | +0.4% |
| 1995 | 5,233,373 | +92,434 | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 5,140,939 | +27,248 | +0.1% |
| 1985 | 5,113,691 | -9,336 | 0% |
| 1980 | 5,123,027 | +63,165 | +0.2% |
| 1975 | 5,059,862 | +131,105 | +0.5% |
| 1970 | 4,928,757 | +169,745 | +0.7% |
| 1965 | 4,759,012 | +179,409 | +0.8% |
| 1960 | 4,579,603 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Denmark
Population over time
- From 4,579,603 in 1960 to 6,029,774 today — up 31.7%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.6% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 82.3 years (2024), up 10.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.5 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 9.5 births vs 9.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 0 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 15.6% of the population is under 15 and 21.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 10.6% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 25.57 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 74.02 Mt in 1996 — down 65.5% since.
- Per person: 4.28 t in 2024, vs 12.57 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,502.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 25.9% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 39.5% of final energy in 2021 (+32.5 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 15.8% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 13.3% to 15.8% since 1990 — roughly 1,071 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 88.8% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 74% in 1960 (+14.9 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 15.6% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,016 m³ in 2022, down 21.9% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $462.53B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 53.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $76,970 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 5.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 1.9% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 99.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 126.7 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Denmark in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Denmark in 2026?
As of October 2026, Denmark has an estimated population of 6,029,774. The United Nations estimated 6,014,905 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.3% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Denmark growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.3% per year — roughly 51 more people every day. Each year there are about 59,548 births and 58,946 deaths, with net migration of +18,045.
What is the population density of Denmark?
About 140 people per square kilometre: 6,029,774 people living on 42,920 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Denmark?
The median age is 41.3 years, and life expectancy at birth is 82.4 years. 15.6% of the population is under 15 and 21.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Denmark rank by population?
Denmark is the 114th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 22nd in Europe, with 0.073% of the global population.
How has the population of Denmark changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 4,579,603; by 2025 it had grown to 6,009,169 (+31.2%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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El SalvadorSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.3%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.