Map of Denmark | Geography | People | Government | Economy | Energy | Communication
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Background: Once the seat of Viking raiders and later a major north European power Denmark has evolved into a modern prosperous nation that is participating in the general political and economic integration of Europe. It joined NATO in 1949 and the EEC (now the EU) in 1973. However the country has opted out of certain elements of the European Union's Maastricht Treaty including the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) European defense cooperation and issues concerning certain justice and home affairs.


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Location: Northern Europe bordering the Baltic Sea and the North Sea on a peninsula north of Germany (Jutland); also includes several major islands (Sjaelland Fyn and Bornholm)

Geographic coordinates: 56 00 N 10 00 E

Map reference

Area
Rank: 134
Comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts

Land boundaries

Coastline: 7,314 km

Maritime claims

Climate: temperate; humid and overcast; mild windy winters and cool summers

Terrain: low and flat to gently rolling plains

Elevation

Natural resources: petroleum natural gas fish salt limestone chalk stone gravel and sand

Land use

Irrigated land: 4,350 km² (2003)

Major rivers

Major watersheds area km²

Total water withdrawal

Total renewable water resources: 6.1 km³ (2003)

Natural hazards: flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g. parts of Jutland along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes

Geography
Note: controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen


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Population: 5,543,453 (July 2012 est.)
Rank: 110
Growth rate: 0.239% (2012 est.)
Growth rate rank: 173
Below poverty line: 13.4% (2011)

Nationality

Ethnic groups: Scandinavian Inuit Faroese German Turkish Iranian Somali

Languages: Danish Faroese Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect) German (small minority)

Religions: Evangelical Lutheran (official) 95% other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3% Muslim 2%

Demographic profile

Age structure

Dependency ratios

Median age

Population growth rate: 0.239% (2012 est.)
Rank: 173

Birth rate: 10.22 births/1000 population (2012 est.)
Rank: 192

Death rate: 10.19 deaths/1000 population (July 2012 est.)
Rank: 49

Net migration rate: 2.36 migrant(s)/1000 population (2012 est.)
Rank: 33

Population distribution

Urbanization

Major urban areas

Environment
Current issues: air pollution principally from vehicle and power plant emissions; nitrogen and phosphorus pollution of the North Sea; drinking and surface water becoming polluted from animal wastes and pesticides

Air pollutants

Sex ratio

Mothers mean age at first birth

Maternal mortality ratio

Infant mortality rate
Rank: 196

Life expectancy at birth
Rank: 48

Total fertility rate: 1.74 children born/woman (2012 est.)
Rank: 166

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Drinking water source

Current health expenditure

Physicians density: 3.419 physicians/1000 population (2007)

Hospital bed density: 3.57 beds/1000 population (2008)

Sanitation facility access:

Hiv/Aids
Adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2009 est.)
Adult prevalence rate rank: 99
People living with hivaids: 5,300 (2009 est.)
People living with hivaids rank: 118
Deaths: fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
Deaths rank: 140

Major infectious diseases

Obesity adult prevalence rate: 11.4% (2006)
Rank: 51

Alcohol consumption

Tobacco use

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Education expenditures: 7.8% of GDP (2007)
Rank: 11

Literacy

School life expectancy primary to tertiary education

Youth unemployment


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Country name

Government type: constitutional monarchy

Capital

Administrative divisions: metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner singular - region); Hovedstaden Midtjylland Nordjylland Sjaelland Syddanmark

Dependent areas

Independence: ca. 965 (unified and Christianized under HARALD I Gormson); 5 June 1849 (became a constitutional monarchy)

National holiday: none designated; Constitution Day 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day

Constitution: 5 June 1953; note - constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state

Legal system: civil law; judicial review of legislative acts

International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

Legislative branch: unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)

Political parties and leaders: Conservative People's Party (Det Konservative Folkeparti) [Lars BARFOED]; Danish People's Party (Dansk Folkeparti) or DF [Kristian THULESEN DAHL]; Liberal Alliance or LA [Anders SAMUELSEN]; Liberal Party (Venstre) or V [Lars LOKKE RAMUSSEN]; Red-Green Alliance (Enhedslisten) [collective leadership spokesperson Johanne SCHMIDT-NIELSEN]; Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokratiet) or SDP [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party (Det Radicale Venstre) or SLP [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party (Socialistisk Folkeparti) or SF [Annette VILHELMSEN]

International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member) AfDB (nonregional member) Arctic Council Australia Group BIS CBSS CD CE CERN EAPC EBRD EIB EITI (implementing country) ESA EU FAO FATF G-9 IADB IAEA IBRD ICAO ICC (national committees) ICRM IDA IEA IFAD IFC IFRCS IGAD (partners) IHO ILO IMF IMO IMSO Interpol IOC IOM IPU ISO ITSO ITU ITUC (NGOs) MIGA NATO NC NEA NIB NSG OAS (observer) OECD OPCW OSCE Paris Club PCA Schengen Convention UN UNCTAD UNESCO UNHCR UNIDO UNMIL UNMISS UNRWA UNTSO UPU WCO WHO WIPO WMO WTO ZC

Diplomatic representation

Flag description: red with a white cross that extends to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side; the banner is referred to as the Dannebrog (Danish flag) and is one of the oldest national flags in the world; traditions as to the origin of the flag design vary but the best known is a legend that the banner fell from the sky during an early-13th century battle; caught up by the Danish king before it ever touched the earth this heavenly talisman inspired the royal army to victory; in actuality the flag may derive from a crusade banner or ensign

National symbols: lion; mute swan

National anthem

National heritage


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Economy overview: This thoroughly modern market economy features a high-tech agricultural sector state-of-the-art industry with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals maritime shipping and renewable energy and a high dependence on foreign trade. Denmark is a member of the European Union (EU); Danish legislation and regulations conform to EU standards on almost all issues. Danes enjoy a high standard of living and the Danish economy is characterized by extensive government welfare measures and an equitable distribution of income. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus but depends on imports of raw materials for the manufacturing sector. Within the EU Denmark is among the strongest supporters of trade liberalization. After a long consumption-driven upswing Denmark's economy began slowing in 2007 with the end of a housing boom. Housing prices dropped markedly in 2008-09 and following a short respite in 2010 has since continued to decline. The global financial crisis has exacerbated this cyclical slowdown through increased borrowing costs and lower export demand consumer confidence and investment. The global financial crises cut Danish real GDP in 2008-09. Denmark made a modest recovery in 2010 with real GDP growth of 1.3% in part because of increased government spending; however the country experienced a technical recession in late 2010-early 2011. Historically low levels of unemployment rose sharply with the recession and have remained at about 6% in 2010-12 based on the national measure about two-thirds average EU unemployment. An impending decline in the ratio of workers to retirees will be a major long-term issue. Denmark maintained a healthy budget surplus for many years up to 2008 but the budget balance swung into deficit in 2009. In spite of the deficits the new coalition government delivered a modest stimulus to the economy in 2012. Nonetheless Denmark's fiscal position remains among the strongest in the EU with public debt at about 45% of GDP in 2012. Despite previously meeting the criteria to join the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) so far Denmark has decided not to join although the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro. Denmark held the EU presidency during the first half of 2012; priorities included promoting a responsible dynamic green and safe Europe while working to steer Europe out of its euro zone economic crisis.

Real gdp purchasing power parity:
Rank: 54

Real gdp growth rate:
Rank: 191

Real gdp per capita:
Rank: 30

Gross national saving

Gdp composition by end use

Gdp composition by sector of origin

Agriculture products: barley wheat potatoes sugar beets; pork dairy products; fish

Industries

Industrial production growth rate: 1.9% (2011 est.)
Rank: 126

Labor force: 2.848 million (2012 est.)
Rank: 105

Unemployment rate: 6.1% (2011 est.)
Rank: 66

Youth unemployment

Population below poverty line: 13.4% (2011)

Gini index

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Distribution of family income gini index: 24.7 (1992)
Rank: 133

Budget
Surplus or deficit: -4% of GDP (2012 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 131

Taxes and other revenues: 57.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
Rank: 12

Public debt: 46.6% of GDP (2011 est.)
Rank: 74

Revenue

Fiscal year: calendar year

Inflation rate consumer prices: 2.8% (2011 est.)
Rank: 57

Central bank discount rate: 0.75% (31 December 2010 est.)
Rank: 135

Commercial bank prime lending rate: 4.5% (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 163

Stock of narrow money: $134.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 27

Stock of broad money: $266.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Rank: 38

Stock of domestic credit: $640.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 22

Market value of publicly traded shares:
Rank: 32

Current account balance: $22.08 billion (2011 est.)
Rank: 21

Exports: $111.8 billion (2011 est.)
Rank: 36
Commodities: machinery and instruments meat and meat products dairy products fish pharmaceuticals furniture windmills
Partners: Germany 16.9% Sweden 13.2% UK 9.9% Norway 5.7% US 5.5% Netherlands 4.9% France 4.3% (2011)

Imports: $102.2 billion (2011 est.)
Rank: 36
Commodities: machinery and equipment raw materials and semimanufactures for industry chemicals grain and foodstuffs consumer goods
Partners: Germany 20.8% Sweden 13.5% Netherlands 7.2% UK 6.3% China 6.2% Norway 5.8% (2011)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $76.52 billion (2010 est.)
Rank: 25

Debt external: $559.5 billion (30 June 2010)
Rank: 21

Stock of direct foreign investment at home: $110.5 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 34

Stock of direct foreign investment abroad: $207.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Rank: 20

Exchange rates:


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Electricity
Production: 36.39 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Production rank: 61
Consumption: 32.42 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Consumption rank: 60
Exports: 11.73 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Exports rank: 19
Imports: 10.6 billion kWh (2010 est.)
Imports rank: 22
Installed generating capacity: 13.42 million kW (2009 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 48
Generation sources fossil fuels: 65.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 124
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 76
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 151
Generation sources other renewable sources: 34.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 1

Coal

Petroleum
Petroleum total petroleum production: 221,100 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 39
Crude oil exports: 171,100 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 33
Crude oil imports: 70,220 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 53
Crude oil proven reserves: 900 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 43

Crude oil

Refined petroleum
Products production: 158,500 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Products production rank: 65
Products consumption: 160,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Products consumption rank: 66
Products exports: 93,890 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Products exports rank: 42
Products imports: 177,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Products imports rank: 30

Natural gas
Production: 7.069 billion m³ (2011 est.)
Production rank: 48
Consumption: 4.179 billion m³ (2011 est.)
Consumption rank: 64
Exports: 3.126 billion m³ (2011 est.)
Exports rank: 35
Imports: 369 million m³ (2011 est.)
Imports rank: 70
Proven reserves: 51.99 billion m³ (1 January 2012 est.)
Proven reserves rank: 66

Carbon dioxide emissions
From consumption of energy: 45.96 million Mt (2010 est.)
From consumption of energy rank: 65

Energy consumption per capita


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Telephones
Main lines in use: 2.515 million (2011)
Main lines in use rank: 53
Mobile cellular: 7.159 million (2011)
Mobile cellular rank: 94

Telephone system

Broadcast media: strong public-sector TV presence with state-owned Danmarks Radio (DR) operating 4 channels and publicly-owned TV2 operating roughly a half dozen channels; broadcasts of privately-owned stations are available via satellite and cable feed; DR operates 4 nationwide FM radio stations 15 digital audio broadcasting stations and about 15 web-based radio stations; approximately 250 commercial and community radio stations (2007)

Internet
Country code: .dk
Hosts: 4.297 million (2012)
Hosts rank: 25
Users: 4.75 million (2009)
Users rank: 48

Broadband fixed subscriptions


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Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2007 est.)
Rank: 109

Military and security forces

Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscripts serve an initial training period that varies from 4 to 12 months according to specialization; reservists are assigned to mobilization units following completion of their conscript service; women eligible to volunteer for military service (2004)

Space program

Terrorist groups


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National air transport system

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports: 89 (2012)
Rank: 64

Heliports

Pipelines: gas 2,858 km; oil 107 km (2010)

Railways
Rank: 61

Roadways
Rank: 62

Waterways: 400 km (2010)
Rank: 88

Merchant marine
Rank: 27

Ports and terminals: Aalborg Aarhus Copenhagen Ensted Esbjerg Fredericia Kalundborg


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Disputes international: Iceland the UK and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Faroese continue to study proposals for full independence; sovereignty dispute with Canada over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission

Refugees and internally displaced persons

Illicit drugs