NATO member state Denmark in focus

Lexicon entry:

Countries of the world

Category 1: NATO member states

Here you will find detailed information on the NATO member states.

2. Denmark

• Official name: Kingdom of Denmark (also includes the autonomous territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands)

• Capital: Copenhagen

• Form of government: Parliamentary constitutional monarchy

• Form of government: Parliamentary democracy

• Head of state: King Frederik X. (since January 14, 2024)

• Head of government: Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (since June 27, 2019) (as of May 2025)

• NATO accession: August 24, 1949 (founding member)

• Special features:

• One of the oldest kingdoms in the world.

• Comprehensive welfare state model ("Scandinavian model").

• Greenland and the Faroe Islands have extensive autonomy, but are not part of the EU (Denmark is). Greenland is geographically part of North America and is of strategic importance.

• Population (Denmark without Greenland/Faroe Islands):

• Number: approx. 5.9 million (estimate 2024)

• Composition: Predominantly of Danish descent. Immigrant groups from Turkey, Germany, Iraq, Poland and other countries.

• Average age: approx. 42.3 years (estimate 2023)

• Population forecast 2100: Slight increase until mid-century, then stabilization or slight decline.

• Economy (Denmark without Greenland/Faroe Islands):

• GDP (nominal): approx. USD 410 billion (estimate 2024)

• Main products/trade: Pharmaceutical products (leading), machinery and equipment, agricultural products (pork, dairy products), wind turbines and renewable energy technologies, furniture and design products.

• Human rights, freedom of the press, rule of law:

• Human rights: very high level of protection. Points of criticism occasionally relate to immigration and asylum policy.

• Freedom of the press: Excellent (ranked 3rd out of 180 in the RSF Index 2024).

• Rule of law: Strongly developed, independent judiciary, low corruption.

• Freedom: Very high level of personal and political freedoms.

• Conflicts:

• Internal: Debates about immigration and integration. Discussions about the future of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, where there are aspirations for independence.

• External: No acute border disputes. Historical claims and maritime demarcation issues in the Arctic (regarding Greenland) with Russia and Canada.

• Secessionist movements:

• Greenland: strong independence movement; Greenland already has extensive autonomy and is aiming for full sovereignty in the long term.

• Faroe Islands: Also an active independence movement and extensive autonomy.

• Biggest sights: Tivoli (Copenhagen), The Little Mermaid (Copenhagen), Kronborg Castle (Helsingør), Legoland (Billund), Viking Ship Museum Roskilde, chalk cliffs of Møn, rune stones of Jelling.

  
  

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  Dänemark