Overview of Denmark
Population: 5,939,695 people (2024)
GDP: $409.47 billion (2024 estimate)
Economic Overview
Denmark is currently the 36th largest economy with an economic freedom score of 77.8, ranking it 10th among the freest economies in the 2021 Index. Its overall score has fallen by 0.5 points, owing to a decrease in labor freedom. Denmark is ranked 5th among 45 countries in the European region, and its overall score is above the regional and world averages.
Denmark's real GDP is expected to grow at a robust 2.8 percent in 2021 and approximately 2.9 percent in 2022 as local and global demand stabilized.
According to the European Commission, private consumption grew by 4.7 percent in 2021 and roughly 3 percent in 2022. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty because firms may postpone or cancel investment decisions.
Denmark's economy would be ranked as free if it weren't for its history of low scores for tax burden and government spending. For the 20th year in a row, it has remained in the free category.
Market Size
Denmark's labor market is large enough to handle the entire country's working-age population. In 2021 and 2022, the Danish economy grew by 2.8 percent and 2.9 percent, respectively. Containment restrictions were reinstated after a significant wave of infections before the turn of the year, hampering economic development in the first half of 2021. From March 2021, the economy gradually reopened, allowing demand and GDP to accelerate.
A Brief Glimpse of Industries in Denmark
- Denmark's government has worked hard to expand its trading routes worldwide, particularly in the United Kingdom, China, and Ireland. As a result, the Danish market has received a large amount of attention.
- The Danish government appears to be eager and capable of fostering entrepreneurship and business. It has long supported initiatives with significant infrastructure, including financing from the Danish government, mentoring, and low-cost legal aid to start and operate businesses.
- The main industries where Denmark has started to invest more are wind turbines, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, shipbuilding and refurbishment, iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, etc.
- The government intends to create 120,000 jobs for the people who are now looking for work by 2030 in private companies.
- Denmark's average Internet speed is 49.19 Mbps. In Denmark, the average download speed is 93.49 Mbps, while the upload speed is 21.77 Mbps.
- The administration also wants to strengthen the country's industrial sector, accounting for 19.1% of GDP.
- The government is also pressuring the trade and manufacturing businesses to adopt flexible work agreements.
Cost of Living
The cost of living is the amount of money required to cover basic needs such as housing, food, taxes, and healthcare. Here are the essential products and services that an ordinary person requires to live a normal existence. The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) breaks up necessary expenses into nine groups, i.e., education, apparel, food, housing, transportation, medical, recreation, and other goods and services.
A person's cost of living is determined by many factors, including where they live, the dominant industry in the area, state revenue, taxation policies, etc. The essential aspect in influencing the cost of living is location.
A Breakdown of the Average Cost of Living in Denmark
Category |
Area of expense |
Estimated Monthly Cost (USD) |
Rental |
Hostels, PGs, Shared flats, and single accommodation |
$481-$1347 |
Food and beverage |
Household groceries and House helps
|
$960 ~ $1800
|
Transport costs |
Bus train and metro |
$60 ~ $128 |
Utilities and miscellaneous |
Water, electricity, gas, wi-fi, telephone |
$128 ~ $363 |
Cost of Renting
In Denmark, the average monthly rent for a single person ranges from $481 to $1347. On the other hand, depending on where you live and how you live, your expenses may vary. Living alone is more expensive than sharing a living place.
Your Cost of Living in Denmark Depends on Your Location
The cost of living varies significantly in different cities in Denmark.
Cities |
Salary in (USD) |
Cost of Living in (USD) |
Rent in (USD) |
Copenhagen |
$2642~ $3644 |
$2255 ~$3175 |
$1054 ~$1379 |
Aarhus |
$2458~ $3577 |
$973 ~$1199 |
$598 ~$881 |
Aalborg |
$2562~ $3624 |
$896 ~$1084 |
$588 ~$812 |
Odense |
$2684~$2946 |
$812 ~ $1015 |
$481 ~ $801 |
Top Industries that are Expected to Hire in Denmark in 2024
S.No |
Industrial Sector |
Average Gross Profit Growth In Terms Of Hiring And Revenue |
1. |
Research & Development |
98% |
2. |
Beverage |
78% |
3. |
Information and Technology |
37% |
4. |
Pharmaceuticals |
34% |
Denmark's Top Skills
The labor market in Denmark is booming. For innovative and dedicated individuals, there are several entry-level work prospects. Senior-level positions are best suited for experienced and industry specialists. Depending on their primary occupation, different cities have different types of abilities.
The following are the major industries in Denmark that are hiring the most people:
- wind turbines
- pharmaceutical
- medical equipment
- food processing
- electronics
- furniture and other wood products
- iron, steel, nonferrous metals
- textiles and clothing
- construction
- chemicals
- machinery and transportation equipment
- shipbuilding and refurbishment
Top Skills City-wise and Occupation-wise
Due to differences in geography and temperature, certain types of industry employment are more common in certain parts of Denmark.
Copenhagen, Denmark's capital, is located on the islands of Zealand and Amager off the coast of Denmark. It is the focal point of one of Northern Europe's most vibrant regions, thanks to its strategic location and highly developed society. Many foreign enterprises have recognized the opportunity that Copenhagen and the surrounding region can provide, especially in the industries listed in the table.
Aarhus is Denmark's second-largest city and the administrative center of Aarhus municipality. It is situated in the Kattegat Sea on the eastern coast of Jutland. It is one of Denmark's oldest cities, dating back to at least the late eighth century. It began as a small harbor village at the mouth of the Aarhus River and swiftly grew into a major trading center. Aalborg is a city in the process of transforming from a working-class industrial area to a knowledge-based community.
Odense is Denmark's third-largest city, with the advantage of being centrally positioned in the country, making it an excellent meeting location. Odense has the lowest level of taxation and fees among Denmark's main cities to attract business and enterprises, and we offer, among other things, excellent networking and exposure opportunities, as well as clear, efficient handling of paperwork.
City |
Industries |
Copenhagen |
Transport & logistics business, construction business, ICT business
|
Aarhus |
Industry Agriculture Industry, IT industry, Healthcare
|
Aalborg |
Wind turbines industry, Agriculture Industry, Cement Industry, pharmaceutical industry
|
Odense |
Electronics industry, machinery and transportation equipment industry, textiles and clothing industry, construction industry, furniture and other wood products industry, food processing industry
|
Hiring Costs
When it comes to hiring employees, the cost of hiring is something to consider. It gets determined by multiple factors, including the cost of living in the city and the total amount of money spent there. A lot of factors influence the cost of recruiting someone in a specific city, including -
- Onboarding expenses
- Orientation and training costs
- The cost of conducting interviews, doing background checks, and executing the employment process
Salary Structure for Various Roles by Average Salary Survey
Working Areas |
Average Gross Monthly Salary |
Dentist |
$132,637 |
Fashion Designer |
$112,719 |
Receptionist |
$110,071 |
Mobile Developer |
$104,534 |
It Manager |
$88,475 |
Chemical Engineer |
$86,842 |
Finance Manager |
$84,957 |
Accountant |
$83,171 |
Project Manager |
$81,793 |
Civil Engineer |
$68,784 |
Business Analyst |
$67,196 |
Copywriter |
$65,611 |
Data Analyst |
$64,747 |
Data Scientist |
$63,227 |
Cashier |
$62,481 |
Mechanical Engineer |
$62,177 |
Software Engineer |
$62,170 |
Ux Designer |
$60,276 |
Financial Analyst |
$59,929 |
Marketing Manager |
$58,162 |
Architect |
$58,100 |
Account Manager |
$57,838 |
Research Scientist |
$57,721 |
C Level Executive |
$57,087 |
Web Developer |
$56,824 |
Postdoctoral Researcher |
$53,899 |
Human Resources Manager |
$53,452 |
Web Designer |
$51,331 |
Sales Manager |
$49,899 |
Operations Manager |
$40,744 |
Content Marketing |
$37,640 |
Executive Assistant |
$37,398 |
Customer Support |
$36,144 |
Waiter |
$22,822 |
Employment Laws in Denmark
The principal sources of law and regulation in the Danish labor market are:
- legislation
- collective agreements
Some statutes like the Danish Salaried Employees Act create a legal framework for specific employee groups, which protects and guarantees minimal rights to salaried employees, such as notice periods and compensation for arbitrary dismissal. Other regulations, such as the Danish Holiday Act, control specific issues that affect all employees.
Furthermore, the Danish Salaried Employees Act governs restrictive covenants, and a restrictive contract must meet criteria to be valid under the Act. It includes a demand that the employee in question gets compensated.
How Can Skuad Help You in Hiring in Denmark?
Hiring in Denmark is a multi-faceted operation that requires a thorough understanding of the regulations, trends, hiring costs, city-wise living costs, and more. Skuad joins the team as a one-stop shop for all of your recruitment needs. It allows you to focus on your project and expansion goals without having to worry about hiring. To learn more, contact Skuad Experts.