Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Denmark
Denmark: Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction was 12.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
12.8%
Change on year
down 5.9%
World rank
31st
of 35 countries
All-time high
74.8%
in 1991
All-time low
12.8%
in 2025
Years of data
43
1983–2025
Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Denmark, 1983–2025
Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.
Analysis
In 2025, unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Denmark stood at 12.8%. That is the lowest value across all 43 years on record.
The figure is down 5.9% on the previous year and down 29.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Denmark peaked at 74.8% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 12.8%, in 2025.
Denmark ranks 31st of 35 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Denmark, year by year
| Year | Percentage | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 59.4% | — |
| 1984 | 70.1% | +18.0% |
| 1985 | 59.8% | -14.7% |
| 1986 | 70.5% | +17.9% |
| 1987 | 62.8% | -10.9% |
| 1988 | 72.8% | +15.9% |
| 1989 | 73.0% | +0.3% |
| 1990 | 72.5% | -0.7% |
| 1991 | 74.8% | +3.2% |
| 1992 | 58.3% | -22.1% |
| 1993 | 68.6% | +17.7% |
| 1994 | 37.7% | -45.0% |
| 1995 | 34.8% | -7.7% |
| 1996 | 34.5% | -0.9% |
| 1997 | 22.5% | -34.8% |
| 1998 | 34.9% | +55.1% |
| 1999 | 30.9% | -11.5% |
| 2000 | 24.6% | -20.4% |
| 2001 | 20.3% | -17.5% |
| 2002 | 26.7% | +31.5% |
| 2003 | 27.6% | +3.4% |
| 2004 | 38.2% | +38.4% |
| 2005 | 26.4% | -30.9% |
| 2006 | 25.4% | -3.8% |
| 2007 | 21.2% | -16.5% |
| 2008 | 19.8% | -6.6% |
| 2009 | 24.7% | +24.7% |
| 2010 | 23.7% | -4.0% |
| 2011 | 21.9% | -7.6% |
| 2012 | 28.1% | +28.3% |
| 2013 | 29.3% | +4.3% |
| 2014 | 26.6% | -9.2% |
| 2015 | 18.2% | -31.6% |
| 2016 | 20.5% | +12.6% |
| 2017 | 24.1% | +17.6% |
| 2018 | 29.9% | +24.1% |
| 2019 | 27.7% | -7.4% |
| 2020 | 30.7% | +10.8% |
| 2021 | 17.5% | -43.0% |
| 2022 | 16.8% | -4.0% |
| 2023 | 15.0% | -10.7% |
| 2024 | 13.6% | -9.3% |
| 2025 | 12.8% | -5.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 66.9% | 59.4% | 73.0% | 7 |
| 1990s | 47.0% | 22.5% | 74.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 25.5% | 19.8% | 38.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 25.0% | 18.2% | 29.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.7% | 12.8% | 30.7% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Denmark
- 29 Netherlands 13.8% compare
- 29 Netherlands 13.8% compare
- 32 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 9.0% compare
- 32 United Kingdom 9.0% compare
- 34 Sweden 6.8% compare
More work & labour data for Denmark
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.1261 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.1196 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.1326 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.51 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.3351 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 5,829 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 485.03 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 2,899 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 2,964 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 5,863 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Denmark?
- Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Denmark was 12.8% in 2025, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction recorded in Denmark?
- The highest recorded value was 74.8% in 1991.
- What is the lowest unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction recorded in Denmark?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.8% in 2025.
- How does Denmark rank for unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction?
- Denmark ranks 31st out of 35 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction rising or falling in Denmark?
- Over the last ten years it is down 29.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Denmark data come from?
- The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction registration/benefits. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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