why is denmark's economy so good
The economy of Denmark has grown to become a modern day market economy that possesses an advanced industrial sector alongside its traditional and now high-tech agricultural sector. The krone and re were introduced in 1875, replacing the former rigsdaler and skilling. Each edition surveys the major challenges faced by the country, evaluates the short-term outlook, and makes specific policy recommendations. The Danish tax-to-GDP-ratio of 46% was the second-highest among all OECD countries, second only to France. The Danish fiscal policy is generally considered healthy. Unlike most of its neighbours, Denmark has not had extractable deposits of minerals or fossil fuels, except for the deposits of oil and natural gas in the North Sea, which started playing an economic role only during the 1980s. According to the World Bank, gross national income per capita was the tenth-highest in the world at $55,220 in 2017. In 1994 active labour market policies were introduced that via a series of labour market reforms have helped reducing structural unemployment considerably. Here's the first and most important reason the Danes enjoy such a high quality of life: because of the welfare state and an otherwise activist government that attempts to govern in the interest. In Denmark, every citizen can choose a doctor in their area. Retrieved on 28 November 2018", Det danske energiforbrug p rekordlavt niveau, "Dansk Industri til angreb p regeringens grnne afgifter", "EL: Grnne afgifter spnder ben for grn omstilling", Afgifter provenuet af afgifter og moms 20092016, Forbedring af den nationale elprisstatistik for erhverv, "Electricity prices for household consumers (taxes included), first half 2018 (EUR per kWh). It's a great place for families - it has 16 months of parental leave and free day care services - it invests in green living, has favourable economic growth, is a safe country for women, has transparency in the media and last, but by no means least - it's a beautiful country. Many of the largest are interdisciplinary with business and sometimes research activities in several fields. More than 75 percent of eligible citizens as of late October were fully vaccinated. The material standard of living has experienced formerly unknown rates of growth, and the country has been industrialized and later turned into a modern service society. Denmark has a lot to offer, so you will find that there are plenty of pros to living in this beautiful country, whether it's in a major city or in the countryside. [131] The municipality of Copenhagen alone holds a total of 153 housing cooperatives and "Arbejdernes Andelsboligforening rhus" (AAB rhus) is the largest individual housing cooperative in Denmark, with 23,000 homes in Aarhus.[132]. 1% of GDP while still maintaining a stable government debt-to-GDP ratio in the long run. 4.5% annually.[39]. Looking good despite it all (photo: Pixabay/ASSY) Denmark's economy is forecast to be the second best performer as the EU emerges from the Coronavirus Crisis, according to the European Commission. . The agriculture and food sector as a whole represented 25% of total Danish commodity exports in 2015. 1. The 1960s are the decade with the highest registered real per capita growth in GDP ever, i.e. The milk quota is 1,142 tonnes. In December, Denmark's . "Danske minkfarmere [Danish Mink Farmers]", "Danfoss Rejsen mod Engineering Tomorrow", "Danish Grundfos the world's largest pump group", "Table NABP69: 12.1.1 Production and generation of income (69-grouping) by transaction, industry and price unit. Among which are the high-performing Danish economy, attractive taxation schemes, flexible labour market, and collaborative work culture. On the other hand, Denmark has had a logistic advantage through its long coastal line and the fact that no point on Danish land is more than 50 kilometers from the sea an important fact for the whole period before the industrial revolution when sea transport was cheaper than land transport. Fur ranked as Danish agriculture's third largest export article, at more than DKK 7billion annually. Denmark now sees its economic growth matching the fastest pace in almost three decades, predicting an outbreak of the new virus variant won't derail a boom in the . The first half of the century was marked by the two world wars and the Great Depression during the 1930s. Unemployed persons are defined as those who are not currently working but are willing to do so and actively searching . "Table EDP3: Denmark's EMU-debt and EMU-deficit by function (% of GDP)", "Table EDP2: EU-countries, public finances by country and function (in% of GDP)", "Denmarks Convergence Programme 2018. Confederation of Danish Industry, 18 June 2018. English Summary, p. 335f", "Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income EU-SILC survey. The economy of Denmark is a modern mixed economy with comfortable living standards, a high level of government services and transfers, and a high dependence on foreign trade. Placing it behind Luxembourg, the UK, Ireland, and Finland, but ahead of Germany, Italy, and France. The total participation rate for people aged 15 to 64 years was 78.8% in 2017. After the breakdown of the international Bretton Woods system in 1971, Denmark devalued the krone repeatedly during the 1970s and the start of the 1980s, effectively maintaining a policy of "fixed, but adjustable" exchange rates. [61], Machinery, chemicals and related products like medicine and agricultural products were the largest groups of export goods in 2017. [42] Over the years, the wealth of the Danish pension funds have accumulated so that in 2016 it constituted twice the size of Denmark's GDP. In October 2018, 4.8% of the Danish labour force were unemployed, as compared to an average of 6.7% for all EU countries. [113] Since 1972, the overall energy consumption has dropped by 6%, even though the GDP has doubled in the same period. Denmark has a competitive economy and ranks #1 on the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2022. Regions administer mainly health care services, whereas municipalities administer primary education and social services. The most notable cooperative societies today includes the agricultural coop of Dansk Landbrugs Grovvareselskab (DLG), dairy producer Arla Foods and the retail cooperative Coop Danmark. Appointed to his role in 2019, Jrgensen has set an aggressive agenda for dealing with climate change. 148.25. Fixed investment, which expanded by over 11%, spearheaded the . Date 2 November 2015. Prior to a government-mandated culling during the COVID-19 pandemic, Denmark was the world's largest producer of mink furs, with 1,400 mink farmers fostering 17.2million mink and producing around 14million furs of the highest quality every year (see mink industry in Denmark). [93], 63% of the land area of Denmark is used for agricultural production the highest share in the world according to a report from University of Copenhagen in 2017. [114] Denmark has had relatively high energy taxation to encourage careful use of energy since the oil crises in the 1970s, and Danish industry has adapted to this and gained a competitive edge. Trade in goods made up slightly more than 60% of both exports and imports, and trade in services the remaining close to 40%. The claim that Denmark is ranked the happiest country in the world due to its short workweeks, high minimum wage, and free university and health and child care is rated PARTLY FALSE, based on our. Slovakia, Slovenia, Czechia, Finland, Belgium and the Netherlands had a lower Gini coefficient for disposable income than Denmark. Instead, it is a country much like the U.S., where the. Uniform commercial legislation in the Nordic countries dates to the 19th century. But most Danes will tell you that they are happy to pay taxes because they can see what they get in return. In comparison to Americans, Danes work considerably less. [88] Unemployment funds do not pay benefits to sick members, who will be transferred to a municipal social support system instead. In 2020 the number of farms was approximately 33,000,[95] of which approximately 10,000 were owned by full-time farmers.[96]. On Sept. 10, Danish authorities lifted all pandemic restrictions and pronounced that covid-19 is no longer a " critical threat " in the country. According to OECD figures, in 2000 Denmark had the lowest Gini coefficient of all countries. is a net exporter of food, oil, and gas and enjoys a . [19], As the annual current account is equal to the value of domestic saving minus total domestic investment, the change from a structural deficit to a structural surplus is due to changes in these two national account components. The labour market is also traditionally characterized by a high degree of flexicurity, i.e. A relatively large proportion of the population is active on the labour market, not least because of a very high female participation rate. Danfoss, headquartered in Nordborg, designs and manufactures industrial electronics, heating and cooling equipment, as well as drivetrains and power solutions. After World War II Denmark took part in the increasingly close international cooperation, joining OEEC/OECD, IMF, GATT/WTO, and from 1972 the European Economic Community, later European Union. Date 6 October 2006". [49] Its labour market policies are decided through tripartite cooperation between employers, employees and the government. [102], Denmark is also a large exporter of pumps, with the company Grundfos holding 50% of the market share, manufacturing circulation pumps. In January 2016 the rate was raised to 0.65%, at which level it has been maintained since then. [108] The course took a giant leap forward in 1984, when the Danish North Sea oil and gas fields, developed by native industry in close cooperation with the state, started major productions. After some years of stagnation, close to 10% of the cultivated land is now categorized as organically farmed, and 13.6% for the dairy industry, as of 2017. Washington, DC 20230. Vaccination rates are high 86 percent of . [54] This is combined with education, skill development and work training programs. The economy displays a number of strengths. Two hundred professional producers are responsible for the Danish egg production, which was 66 million kg in 2011. Their ability to work will be re-evaluated by the municipality after 5 months of illness.[89][90]. Approval is not automatic, and the extent of this system has generally been diminished since the 1980s. Denmark now faces a potential mild contraction of GDP in 2023 due to geopolitical developments, high inflation and energy prices, and a tight labor market. [51] This was the highest amongst the OECD countries. [27], The Danish labour market is characterized by a high degree of union membership rates and collective agreement coverage dating back from Septemberforliget (The September Settlement) in 1899 when the Danish Confederation of Trade Unions and the Confederation of Danish Employers recognized each other's right to organise and negotiate. Exports to the United States constituted 11.9 percent of total Danish exports in 2021. Regarding vegetable production, Denmark is a leading producer of grass-, clover- and horticultural seeds. Sick people can receive some financial support throughout the extent of their illness. Most of these funds are managed by trade unions, and part of their expenses are financed through the tax system. [25], During the last three decades household saving rates in Denmark have increased considerably. Another 2,000 people worked in fishing. Its score is 0.4 point lower than last year. The main railway operator is Danske Statsbaner (Danish State Railways) for passenger services and DB Schenker Rail for freight trains. From danmarkshistorien.dk, Aarhus University. When grain production became less profitable in the second half of the century, the Danish farmers made an impressive and uniquely successful change from vegetarian to animal production leading to a new boom period. Landbrugsavisen.dk published 12 October July 2017, retrieved 28 November 2018. 16001917. New cars are taxed by means of a registration tax (85% to 150%) and VAT (25%). "Danish Economic Council: Economy and the Environment 2017. Retrieved on 28 November 2018", "Country Comparison: Distribution of family income Gini index", "Costs and benefits of Danish active labour market programmes", "Denmark a Nordic Welfare State Are the Active Labour Market Policy Withering Away? robotics: the country prides itself on the prime robots . Why do the Danes score so highly on international happiness surveys? [78] Denmark had a government budget surplus of 1.1% of GDP in 2017.[78]. There exists national accounting data for Denmark from 1820 onwards thanks to the pioneering work of Danish economic historian Svend Aage Hansen. [31] However, the Napoleonic Wars caused Copenhagen to lose its status as an international centre of finance and trade. This is the conclusion drawn by Danmarks Nationalbank in a projection for the Danish economy, in which the gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to increase by 3.3 per cent. "Nej"-sidens forspring skrumpet en smule. While each country has its own unique market and characteristics, there are certain synergies that tie together these highly innovative marketplaces. Website of Danish Ministry of Finance", "Danish Economic Council: Danish Economy, Spring 2018. Denmark invests heavily in active labor market policies and the concept of flexicurity has been important historically. health care, child care and education services). The first of the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) to do so, Denmark joined the European Economic Community (EEC; ultimately succeeded by the European Union [EU]) in 1973, at the same time as the United Kingdom, then its most important trading partner. Denmark's economy is based on the flexicurity model, which combines a flexible labor market with a policy for the unemployed. Unemployment by sex and age annual average. The tendency toward fewer and larger farms has been accompanied by an increase in animal production, using fewer resources per produced unit. Municipalities in principle independently levy income and property taxes, but the scope for total municipal taxation and expenditure is closely regulated by annual negotiations between the municipalities and the Finance Minister of Denmark. Though eligible to join the Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union (EMU), the Danish voters in a referendum in 2000 rejected exchanging the krone for the euro. Within a few years he went from being a . Two main reasons for this large change in domestic saving behaviour were the growing importance of large-scale compulsory pension schemes and several Danish fiscal policy reforms during the period which considerably decreased tax deductions of household interest expense, thus reducing the tax subsidy to private debt. [36] Politically, mercantilism was gradually replaced by liberal thoughts among the ruling elite. The project surveyed more than 400,000 people in Denmark and seven other countries. [46] The Danish Economic Council found in an analysis from 2016 that the increasing inequality in Denmark is due to several components: Pre-tax labour income is more unequally distributed today than before, capital income, which is generally less equally distributed than labour income, has increased as share of total income, and economic policy is less redistributive today, both because public income transfers play a smaller role today and because the tax system has become less progressive. Denmark produces three times the amount of food it needs for itself, with exports of pig meat accounting for almost half of all agricultural exports and more than 5% of Denmark's total. [105] The railway tracks are maintained by Banedanmark. The economy is dominated by the service sector with 80% of all jobs, whereas about 11% of all employees work in manufacturing and 2% in agriculture. However, these countries still suffer from. Although eligible, Denmark chose not to join the European Monetary Union when it was founded. Already during the Stone Age there was some foreign trade,[32] and even though trade has made up only a very modest share of total Danish value added until the 19th century, it has been decisive for economic development, both in terms of procuring vital import goods (like metals) and because new knowledge and technological skills have often come to Denmark as a byproduct of goods exchange with other countries. It is this knowledge that Denmark now aims to exploit in the transport sector by focusing on intelligent battery systems (V2G) and plug-in vehicles. Last year, Denmark pledged to end oil and gas exploration by 2050 . The Danish model of higher taxation and a more comprehensive, free, welfare state has both a cost and a benefit. [101], Denmark has large proven reserves of oil and natural gas in the North Sea with Esbjerg being the main city for the oil and gas industry. Top Personal Income Taxes. [31] Parallelly industrialization took off in Denmark from the 1870s. Denmark has created a society where everyone works to help out everyone else. For example, unemployment benefits decrease by 50% after 6 months. transport equipment): 17.4%, Live animals, food, beverages and tobacco: 7.7%. [104], In 2017 total output (gross value added) in service industries amounted to 75.2% of total output in Denmark,[6] and 79.9% of all employed people worked here (in 2016). elderly or unemployed people) amounted to 16.8% of GDP. Significant investment has been made in building road and rail links between Copenhagen and Malm, Sweden (the resund Bridge), and between Zealand and Funen (the Great Belt Fixed Link). International Trade Administration Denmark supports a high standard of livingits per capita gross national product is among the highest in the worldwith well-developed social services. [79], Denmark has an unemployment insurance system called the A-kasse (arbejdslshedskasse). OECD Economic Surveys: Denmark. [125][126] For both countries, fishing industry is a major economic activity. [94] The Danish agricultural industry is historically characterized by freehold and family ownership, but due to structural development farms have become fewer and larger. Denmark's new budget promises more state investment and welfare spending, but also a commission on helping workers take control of their workplaces. Prescription drugs are inexpensive and free for those under 18 years of age. This places unemployment in Denmark somewhat below the EU average, which was 7.6%. Inflation under 2% is in green.[129]. Moreover, Denmark is among the world leaders in wireless communications, internet and new media. There is an emphasis on achieving a desirable work-life balance. A lower proportion of revenues in Denmark derive from taxes on corporate income and gains and property taxes than in OECD generally, whereas the proportion deriving from payroll taxes, VAT, and other taxes on goods and services correspond to the OECD average. [42], The Danish currency is the Danish krone, subdivided into 100 re. Denmark ranks 10th most competitive economy in the world, according to the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report 2018. The extent of the support depends on the ability to work, and people below 40 can not receive social pension unless they are deemed incapable of any kind of work. [97] Approximately 98 percent of the skins sold at Kopenhagen Fur Auction were exported. It showed that high and stable trust in Denmark's health authorities was a key reason for the country's success. Arbejdernes Landsbank, founded in 1919, is the largest bank cooperative and it is currently the 6th largest bank in the country as of 2018. per capita since 2007 is comparable to the declines in debt-crisis countries like Portugal or Spain, even though Denmark has never lost the . Household balance sheets are consequently very large in Denmark compared to most other countries. Nyt fra Danmarks Statistik nr. Danish Employers' Confederation was created in order to . The key category driving this increase continues to be chemicals, as one-fourth of Danish exports from this category went to the United States. Because we want to be a frontrunner; we want to show the world that you can have a decarbonized economy that is wealthy and provides its people with a high quality of life.". 2. Moreover, Denmark is among the world leaders in wireless communications, internet and new media. The nominal gross national income per capita was the ninth-highest in the world at $68,827 in 2023. Our deaths are again running at more than 2,000 a day. In an international context, a relatively large proportion of the population is part of the labour force, in particular because the female participation rate is very high. [14] As value added per person is relatively low, the share of national value added is somewhat lower. For the next decades the Danish economy struggled with several major so-called "balance problems": High unemployment, current account deficits, inflation, and government debt. Danish income taxes are based on a progressive tax system, so if you make more than 61,500 euros (about $67,000) per year, an additional tax rate of 7 percent is added over this threshold . Jacob Isaksen, Uffe Mikkelsen and Peter Beck Nellemann (2012): Arbejdsmarkedsreformer i Danmark og Tyskland. Denmark is a firm advocate of liberal trade and investment policies and actively encourages foreign investment. E ven by Washington standards, the rapid rise and equally quick descent of Sean McElwee is a dizzying story. Life expectancy in Denmark has increased from 77.9 years in 2005 to 80.6 years in 2015. Who has the number 1 healthcare in the world? Both of these industries are a major source of income and combined, they make up a quarter of all of Denmark's agricultural exports. Offentligt kvartalsregnskab 4. kvt. Other important U.S. exports to Denmark are military equipment, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, tobacco, wine, fresh vegetables, nuts, and forest products. In Denmark, you don't have to worry about paying for healthcare, and university students don't pay any tuition fees. . This site contains PDF documents. The Copenhagen Malm Port was also formed between the two cities as the common port for the cities of both nations. Comparatively, Denmark is favorably positioned Foreign Direct Investment Attraction Events, Services for U.S. Companies New to Exporting, Services for U.S. Companies Currently Exporting, Leading Sectors for US Exports & Investments, Healthcare and Lifescience Products and Services, Licensing Requirements for Professional Services. Steen Busck: Merkantilisme. [40] A series of tax reforms from 1987 onwards, reducing tax deductions on interest payments, and the increasing importance of compulsory labour market-based funded pensions from the 1990s have increased private savings rates considerably, consequently transforming secular current account deficits to secular surpluses. Copenhagen has a small Metro system, the Copenhagen Metro and the greater Copenhagen area has an extensive electrified suburban railway network, the S-train. Kapitel III i De konomiske Rds Formandskab: Dansk konomi, efterr 2016. All Danish citizens above 18 years of age can apply for some financial support if they cannot support themselves or their family. [72], Danish fiscal policy is generally considered healthy. Denmark is a constitutional monarchy of 5.8 million people that shares a southern border with Germany and is connected by bridge to southern Sweden. Statistikbanken.dk/10021:Befolkning og valg/(table)FOLK1AM, In this context, "self-sufficient" means that the domestic energy production is equal to the energy consumption in terms of, Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union, Danish Christmas Tree Growers Association, "World Economic Outlook Database, April 2019", "Report for Selected Countries and Subjects: April 2023", "The outlook is uncertain again amid financial sector turmoil, high inflation, ongoing effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and three years of COVID", "Table NABP10: 12.1.1 Production and generation of income (10a3-grouping) by transaction, industry and price unit. In 2015, average household assets were more than 600% of their disposable income, among OECD countries second only to the Netherlands. Public expenditure is directed primarily toward health and social services, education, economic affairs, foreign affairs, and national defense. Denmark's economic freedom score is 77.6, making its economy the 9th freest in the 2023 Index. [81] The all-record highest Danish tax level was 49.8% of GDP,[81] reached in 2014 because of high extraordinary one-time tax revenues caused by a reorganization of the Danish-funded pension system. By September 2018, 831,000 people worked in the general government sector, corresponding to 29.9% of all employees.