Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Denmark: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Denmark is placed 21st of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 61.34 (2025); Labour Income Share 56.17 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
21st
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Denmark on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
61.34
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Denmark: 61.34. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Northern Europe
- 72.21 Iceland
- Land neighbours
- Germany 58.32
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
5.529
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Denmark: 5.529. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Northern Europe
- 3.625 Iceland
- Land neighbours
- Germany 3.711
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
5.395
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Denmark: 5.395. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Northern Europe
- 4.166 Norway
- Land neighbours
- Germany 4.344
02Over time
Which way Denmark is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
DenmarkWorld median
Denmark fell from 62.81 in 2000 to 61.34 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Denmark World median 2025 61.345 57.720 2024 61.560 57.694 2023 60.505 58.158 2022 60.688 57.688 2021 59.493 56.066 2020 58.637 55.691 2019 59.311 57.871 2018 58.730 56.911 2017 58.221 56.738 2016 58.046 56.845 2015 57.558 56.788 2014 57.089 56.774 2013 56.950 56.229 2012 57.551 56.289 2011 58.260 56.297 2010 58.677 56.212 2009 60.372 56.255 2008 62.807 57.308 2007 63.381 56.933 2006 63.756 56.685 2005 62.748 56.129 2004 62.695 55.465 2003 62.218 55.630 2002 63.164 55.843 2001 62.697 56.018 2000 62.814 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
DenmarkWorld median
Denmark fell from 60.12 in 2004 to 56.17 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Denmark World median 2025 56.17 46.230 2024 56.35 46.060 2023 56.74 45.900 2022 54.02 45.615 2021 56.06 45.433 2020 57.35 47.267 2019 57.33 46.277 2018 56.23 46.187 2017 56.19 46.467 2016 57.17 46.798 2015 57.74 46.876 2014 57.89 47.281 2013 58.50 46.887 2012 59.26 46.231 2011 60.24 45.679 2010 59.38 46.024 2009 62.67 47.071 2008 60.29 45.312 2007 59.86 45.246 2006 59.58 45.670 2005 59.04 46.265 2004 60.12 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
DenmarkWorld median
Denmark rose from 4.476 in 2000 to 5.529 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Denmark World median 2025 5.53 5.08 2024 5.36 5.15 2023 5.09 5.21 2022 4.43 5.34 2021 5.07 6.04 2020 5.64 6.38 2019 5.02 5.36 2018 5.13 5.35 2017 5.83 5.59 2016 5.99 5.90 2015 6.28 6.41 2014 6.93 6.58 2013 7.38 6.71 2012 7.80 6.79 2011 7.77 6.90 2010 7.75 7.04 2009 6.41 6.67 2008 3.68 5.79 2007 3.80 6.00 2006 3.90 6.50 2005 4.83 7.09 2004 5.20 6.80 2003 5.40 6.95 2002 4.27 6.91 2001 4.16 6.96 2000 4.48 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
DenmarkWorld median
Denmark fell from 7.005 in 2000 to 5.395 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Denmark World median 2025 5.395 28.67 2024 5.563 29.04 2023 5.692 29.33 2022 5.757 29.67 2021 6.267 30.01 2020 6.226 30.54 2019 5.970 29.98 2018 5.878 30.15 2017 6.056 29.93 2016 6.439 29.91 2015 6.495 30.26 2014 6.557 30.47 2013 6.675 31.14 2012 6.810 31.00 2011 6.674 31.41 2010 6.722 32.37 2009 7.123 32.59 2008 6.680 31.76 2007 6.616 33.47 2006 6.716 34.27 2005 6.687 34.66 2004 6.649 35.51 2003 6.910 35.90 2002 6.727 35.96 2001 6.751 35.27 2000 7.005 35.67
03In context
Denmark beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Denmark and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Germany | =4th | 58.32 | 63.11 | 3.711 | 4.344 |
| Denmark | 21st | 61.34 | 56.17 | 5.529 | 5.395 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Denmark in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Denmark is ahead of the world, and behind
31 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median20
Statistics on which Denmark does better than the middle country measured.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6866.9816.68No earlier reading
Denmark: 66.98 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 139 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1692.2422.16No real change since 2015
Denmark: 92.24 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 7th of 182 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230485,65825,230No real change since 2010
Denmark: 485,658 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 6th of 151 · derived.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.762.21736.76No earlier reading
Denmark: 2.217 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 93rd of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 095.60No earlier reading
Denmark: 95.6 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,384140,39747,384No real change since 2015
Denmark: 140,397 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 12th of 168 · derived.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6366,4581,636No real change since 2014
Denmark: 6,458 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 6th of 75 · derived.
Low Pay RateILO · 2024 · world median 17.899.71817.89No real change since 2014
Denmark: 9.718 · world median 17.89 · Employees paid less than two-thirds of the median hourly earnings (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.395 to 41.69; lower is better.
Position 66th of 71 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.316.89714.31No real change since 2014
Denmark: 6.897 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 89th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.610.191.61▲ Improved since 2015
Denmark: 0.19 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74238,5166,742▼ Worsened since 2015
Denmark: 38,516 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 23rd of 151 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.987.745.9No earlier reading
Denmark: 87.7 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Fatal Occupational InjuriesILO · 2023 · world median 2.0051.032.005▼ Worsened since 2013
Denmark: 1.03 · world median 2.005 · Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.12 to 8.409; lower is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3143▼ Worsened since 2015
Denmark: 14 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8126.0341.81No earlier reading
Denmark: 26.03 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 139th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3660.7953.36▲ Improved since 2015
Denmark: 60.79 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 46th of 182 · derived.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.2850.337▼ Worsened since 2014
Denmark: 0.285 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 56th of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6664.9461.66▲ Improved since 2015
Denmark: 64.94 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 60th of 182 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8311.7412.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Denmark: 11.74 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 95th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0732.7332.07No earlier reading
Denmark: 32.73 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Behind the world median4
Statistics on which Denmark does worse than the middle country measured.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5612.8612.56▼ Worsened since 2014
Denmark: 12.86 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 36th of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8626.9435.86▼ Worsened since 2014
Denmark: 26.94 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 69th of 86 · derived.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.169.47619.16No earlier reading
Denmark: 9.476 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 145th of 179 · derived.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 987098▼ Worsened since 2015
Denmark: 70 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0132.5215.01No earlier reading
Denmark: 32.52 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 9th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5179.5759.51No real change since 2015
Denmark: 79.57 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 22nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8818.818.88No real change since 2015
Denmark: 18.8 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 93rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4512.6713.45Moved since 2014
Denmark: 12.67 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.381.6214.38No real change since 2015
Denmark: 1.62 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 161st of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.847.91131.84No real change since 2015
Denmark: 7.911 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 169th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8928.9138.89No real change since 2015
Denmark: 28.91 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 177th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Denmark
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Statutory Minimum Wage and Working Poverty Rate. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Denmark’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Denmark’s 11th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Governance & Institutions1st of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties2nd of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital3rd of 1963/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience3rd of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation6th of 1764/4 keys
- Energyjoint 8th of 1653/3 keys
- Food & Agriculture10th of 1844/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 18th of 1984/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade17th of 1774/4 keys
- Peace & Security20th of 1774/4 keys
- Work & Labour21st of 1824/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality22nd of 1593/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing33rd of 2003/4 keys
- Gender & Equality31st of 1834/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge36th of 1983/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 139th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Denmark can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Iceland1st4/4 keysThis page
Denmark21st4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Denmark and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Denmark on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Denmark rank on work & labour?
Denmark is placed 21st of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Denmark?
61.34 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Denmark?
56.17 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Denmark compare with Germany on work & labour?
Germany is placed joint 4th of 182, and Denmark 21st. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Germany 58.32, Denmark 61.34; Labour Income Share: Germany 63.11, Denmark 56.17; Unemployment Rate: Germany 3.711, Denmark 5.529; Vulnerable Employment: Germany 4.344, Denmark 5.395.
How have Denmark’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 62.81 in 2000 to 61.34 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 60.12 in 2004 to 56.17 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 4.476 in 2000 to 5.529 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 7.005 in 2000 to 5.395 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Denmark?
No current reading is published for Denmark on Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Statutory Minimum Wage and Working Poverty Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 31 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Denmark’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Denmark (banner) — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Denmark: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/denmark/work