Unemployment in Denmark
Denmark: Unemployment was 181.46 in 2025. ▲ Rising
Unemployment in Denmark, 2004–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2025, unemployment in Denmark stood at 181.46.
The figure is up 0.4% on the previous year and down 12.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment in Denmark peaked at 239.44 in 2013 and was at its lowest, 113.56, in 2008.
That places Denmark 39th out of 58 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Unemployment in Denmark, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 184.85 | — |
| 2005 | 155 | -16.2% |
| 2006 | 132.61 | -14.4% |
| 2007 | 124.55 | -6.1% |
| 2008 | 113.56 | -8.8% |
| 2009 | 169.31 | +49.1% |
| 2010 | 228.51 | +35.0% |
| 2011 | 205.48 | -10.1% |
| 2012 | 230.29 | +12.1% |
| 2013 | 239.44 | +4.0% |
| 2014 | 219.5 | -8.3% |
| 2015 | 207.98 | -5.2% |
| 2016 | 175.54 | -15.6% |
| 2017 | 197.34 | +12.4% |
| 2018 | 187.51 | -5.0% |
| 2019 | 191.95 | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 204.87 | +6.7% |
| 2021 | 231.18 | +12.8% |
| 2022 | 172.86 | -25.2% |
| 2023 | 181.27 | +4.9% |
| 2024 | 180.79 | -0.3% |
| 2025 | 181.46 | +0.4% |
Denmark compared with similar countries
- Denmark's 181.46 is below the median for high income countries, which is 266.61, 68% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Denmark's 181.46 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 266.61, 68% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 146.64 | 113.56 | 184.85 | 6 |
| 2010s | 208.36 | 175.54 | 239.44 | 10 |
| 2020s | 192.07 | 172.86 | 231.18 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Denmark
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 unemployment in Denmark?
- Unemployment in Denmark was 181.46 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment recorded in Denmark?
- The highest recorded value was 239.44 in 2013.
- What is the lowest unemployment recorded in Denmark?
- The lowest recorded value was 113.56 in 2008.
- How does Denmark rank for unemployment?
- Denmark ranks 39th out of 58 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rising or falling in Denmark?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Denmark data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Disability Labour Market Indicators (DLMI) database description.