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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.dk

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

3.991 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 19

Internet users [time series]

4.579 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 44

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 1, FM 355, shortwave 0 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: excellent telephone and telegraph services domestic: buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, multiple cellular mobile communications systems international: country code - 45; a series of fiber-optic submarine cables link Denmark with Canada, Faroe Islands, Germany, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Sweden, and UK; satellite earth stations - 18 (6 Intelsat, 10 Eutelsat, 1 Orion, 1 Inmarsat (Blaavand-Atlantic-East)); note - the Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) share the Danish earth station and the Eik, Norway, station for worldwide Inmarsat access (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

2.487 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 53

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

6.551 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 75

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

172 (2008)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $188.6 billion expenditures: $176.3 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

3.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 126 4% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

Current account balance [time series]

$6.938 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $2.378 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$588.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 18 $567.4 billion (31 December 2007)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

24 (2005) country comparison to the world: 132 24.7 (1992)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

This thoroughly modern market economy features high-tech agriculture, up-to-date small-scale and corporate industry, extensive government welfare measures, an equitable distribution of income, comfortable living standards, a stable currency, a stable political system, and high dependence on foreign trade. Unemployment is low and capacity constraints limit growth potential. Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus. The government has been successful in meeting, and even exceeding, the economic convergence criteria for participating in the third phase (a common European currency) of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU), but so far Denmark has decided not to join 16 other EU members in the euro. Nonetheless, the Danish krone remains pegged to the euro. Denmark's fiscal position is among the strongest in the EU. Economic growth gained momentum in 2004 and the upturn continued through 2006. After a long consumption-driven upswing, Denmark's economy began slowing in early 2007 with the end of a housing boom. This cyclical slowdown has been exacerbated by the global financial crisis through increased borrowing costs and lower export demand, consumer confidence, and investment. The slowing global economy cut GDP by 1.2% in 2008. A major long-term issue will be the sharp decline in the ratio of workers to retirees.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

35.79 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Electricity - exports [time series]

11.36 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

12.82 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

36.92 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 57

Exchange rates [time series]

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004)

Exports [time series]

$114.9 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35 $100.5 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 18%, Sweden 14.5%, UK 8.2%, Norway 5.7%, US 5.3%, France 4.8%, Netherlands 4.6% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$340 billion (2008 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$204.1 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 $206.6 billion (2007 est.) $203.3 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1.3% industry: 26.1% services: 72.6% (2008 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$37,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 30 $37,800 (2007 est.) $37,300 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

-1.2% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 1.6% (2007 est.) 3.3% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 24% (2000 est.)

Imports [time series]

$116.4 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $100.8 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 20.9%, Sweden 14%, Netherlands 6.7%, Norway 6.3%, China 5.7%, UK 5.1% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 161

Industries [time series]

iron, steel, nonferrous metals, chemicals, food processing, machinery and transportation equipment, textiles and clothing, electronics, construction, furniture and other wood products, shipbuilding and refurbishment, windmills, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 1.7% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

21.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Labor force [time series]

2.88 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 104

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 2.9% industry: 23.8% services: 72.7% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 31 $277.7 billion (31 December 2007) $231 billion (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

4.59 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Natural gas - exports [time series]

5.516 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 26

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Natural gas - production [time series]

10.09 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

61.3 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Oil - consumption [time series]

181,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 61

Oil - exports [time series]

287,100 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Oil - imports [time series]

153,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56

Oil - production [time series]

288,800 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

1.06 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

33.5% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 68 42.5% of GDP (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$42.32 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 31 $34.32 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$181.9 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $153.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$142.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 $131.3 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$695.8 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 16 $684.7 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$143 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 9 $148.7 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$95.82 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 23 $81.64 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

1.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 2.8% (2007 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 43,094 sq km country comparison to the world: 133 land: 42,434 sq km water: 660 sq km note: includes the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea and the rest of metropolitan Denmark (the Jutland Peninsula, and the major islands of Sjaelland and Fyn), but excludes the Faroe Islands and Greenland

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts

Climate [time series]

temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers

Coastline [time series]

7,314 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Lammefjord -7 m highest point: Yding Skovhoej 173 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.67 cu km/yr (32%/26%/42%) per capita: 123 cu m/yr (2002)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

56 00 N, 10 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

4,490 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 68 km border countries: Germany 68 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 52.59% permanent crops: 0.19% other: 47.22% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards [time series]

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

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand

Terrain [time series]

low and flat to gently rolling plains

Total renewable water resources [time series]

6.1 cu km (2003)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark note: an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007

Capital [time series]

name: Copenhagen geographic coordinates: 55 40 N, 12 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October note: applies to continental Denmark only, not to its North Atlantic components

Constitution [time series]

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

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Kingdom of Denmark conventional short form: Denmark local long form: Kongeriget Danmark local short form: Danmark

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador James P. CAIN embassy: Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen mailing address: PSC 73, APO AE 09716 telephone: [45] 33 41 71 00 FAX: [45] 35 43 02 23

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Friis Arne PETERSEN chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470 consulate(s) general: Chicago, New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born 26 May 1968) head of government: Prime Minister Lars Lokke RASMUSSEN (since 5 April 2009) cabinet: Council of State appointed by the monarch elections: the monarch is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the monarch

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 note: the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden

Government type [time series]

constitutional monarchy

Independence [time series]

first organized as a unified state in 10th century; in 1849 became a constitutional monarchy

International organization participation [time series]

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNMOGIP, UNOMIG, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU (observer), WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral People's Assembly or Folketing (179 seats, including 2 from Greenland and 2 from the Faroe Islands; members are elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve four-year terms unless the Folketing is dissolved earlier) elections: last held 13 November 2007 (next to be held in 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.2%, Social Democrats 25.5%, Danish People's Party 13.9%, Socialist People's Party 13.0%, Conservative People's Party 10.4%, Social Liberal Party 5.1%, New Alliance 2.8%, Red-Green Unity List 2.2%, other 0.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 46, Social Democrats 45, Danish People's Party 25, Socialist People's Party 23, Conservative People's Party 18, Social Liberal Party 9, New Alliance 5, Red-Green Alliance 4; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands

National holiday [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Christian Democrats [Bjarne Hartung KIRKEGAARD] (was Christian People's Party); Conservative Party [Lene ESPERSEN] (sometimes known as Conservative People's Party); Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Party [Anders Fogh RASMUSSEN]; Liberal Alliance [Naser KHADER](formerly known as New Alliance); Red-Green Unity List (Alliance) [collective leadership] (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party); Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Danish Free Press Society (freedom of speech); Danish National Socialist Movement or DNSB [Jonni HANSEN] (neo-Nazi organization) other: human rights groups

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,235,067 females age 16-49: 1,215,418 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,013,223 females age 16-49: 998,837 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 37,231 female: 35,306 (2009 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Island Command Greenland, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2008)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.3% of GDP (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Military service age and obligation [time series]

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)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 18.1% (male 511,882/female 485,782) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 1,817,800/female 1,798,964) 65 years and over: 16.1% (male 387,142/female 498,940) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.54 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Death rate [time series]

10.22 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

8.3% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 12

Ethnic groups [time series]

Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

4,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 124

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 4.34 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 203 male: 4.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) note: English is the predominant second language

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 78.3 years country comparison to the world: 46 male: 75.96 years female: 80.78 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 40.5 years male: 39.6 years female: 41.3 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Dane(s) adjective: Danish

Net migration rate [time series]

2.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Population [time series]

5,500,510 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Population growth rate [time series]

0.28% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Religions [time series]

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2006)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.74 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 87% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

92 (2009) country comparison to the world: 65

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 28 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 64 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 61 (2009)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 327 country comparison to the world: 29 by type: bulk carrier 8, cargo 63, carrier 2, chemical tanker 78, container 84, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 42, petroleum tanker 29, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 8, specialized tanker 4 foreign-owned: 26 (Canada 1, Germany 1, Germany 9, Greece 4, Iceland 2, Norway 3, Sweden 6) registered in other countries: 534 (Antigua and Barbuda 19, Bahamas 67, Belgium 4, Brazil 2, Cayman Islands 3, Cyprus 4, Egypt 1, Estonia 1, France 2, Germany 1, Gibraltar 7, Hong Kong 24, Isle of Man 29, Italy 3, Jamaica 2, Liberia 12, Lithuania 5, Luxembourg 1, Malta 30, Marshall Islands 10, Mexico 2, Netherlands 29, Netherlands Antilles 2, Norway 25, Panama 40, Portugal 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 16, Singapore 87, South Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 4, Togo 1, UAE 1, UK 62, US 31, Venezuela 1) (2008)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 2,858 km; oil 107 km (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg

Railways [time series]

total: 2,667 km country comparison to the world: 63 standard gauge: 2,667 km 1.435-m gauge (640 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 72,362 km country comparison to the world: 64 paved: 72,362 km (includes 1,032 km of expressways) (2006)

Waterways [time series]

400 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 88