2011 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2011 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
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.
Geography
Area
- 43,094 sq km 42,434 sq km 660 sq km 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
- total
- 43,094 sq km
- water
- 660 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly less than twice the size of Massachusetts
Climate
temperate; humid and overcast; mild, windy winters and cool summers
Coastline
7,314 km
Elevation extremes
- Lammefjord -7 m Mollehoj/Ejer Bavnehoj 171 m
- highest point
- Mollehoj/Ejer Bavnehoj 171 m
- lowest point
- Lammefjord -7 m
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
Environment - international agreements
- 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 none of the selected agreements
- 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
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- 0.67 cu km/yr (32%/26%/42%) 123 cu m/yr (2002)
- per capita
- 123 cu m/yr (2002)
- total
- 0.67 cu km/yr (32%/26%/42%)
Geographic coordinates
56 00 N, 10 00 E
Geography - note
controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen
Irrigated land
4,350 sq km (2008)
Land boundaries
- 68 km Germany 68 km
- border countries
- Germany 68 km
- total
- 68 km
Land use
- 52.59% 0.19% 47.22% (2005)
- arable land
- 52.59%
- other
- 47.22% (2005)
- permanent crops
- 0.19%
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)
Map references
Europe
Maritime claims
- 12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
- contiguous zone
- 24 nm
- continental shelf
- 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 12 nm
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
Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, fish, salt, limestone, chalk, stone, gravel and sand
Terrain
low and flat to gently rolling plains
Total renewable water resources
6.1 cu km (2003)
People and Society
Age structure
- 17.6% (male 500,265/female 474,829) 65.3% (male 1,811,198/female 1,798,507) 17.1% (male 417,957/female 527,132) (2011 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 17.6% (male 500,265/female 474,829)
- 15-64 years
- 65.3% (male 1,811,198/female 1,798,507)
- 65 years and over
- 17.1% (male 417,957/female 527,132) (2011 est.)
Birth rate
10.29 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
Death rate
10.19 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
Drinking water source
- urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)
- rural
- 100% of population
- total
- 100% of population (2008)
- urban
- 100% of population
Education expenditures
7.8% of GDP (2007)
Ethnic groups
Scandinavian, Inuit, Faroese, German, Turkish, Iranian, Somali
Health expenditures
7% of GDP (2009)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.2% (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
5,300 (2009 est.)
Hospital bed density
3.57 beds/1,000 population (2008)
Infant mortality rate
- 4.24 deaths/1,000 live births 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births 4.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
- female
- 4.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)
- total
- 4.24 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority) English is the predominant second language
Life expectancy at birth
- 78.63 years 76.25 years 81.14 years (2011 est.)
- female
- 81.14 years (2011 est.)
- total population
- 78.63 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 99% 99% 99% (2003 est.)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 99% (2003 est.)
- male
- 99%
- total population
- 99%
Major cities - population
COPENHAGEN (capital) 1.174 million (2009)
Maternal mortality rate
5 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
Median age
- 40.9 years 40 years 41.8 years (2011 est.)
- female
- 41.8 years (2011 est.)
- male
- 40 years
- total
- 40.9 years
Nationality
- Dane(s) Danish
- adjective
- Danish
- noun
- Dane(s)
Net migration rate
2.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
11.4% (2006)
Physicians density
3.419 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
Population
5,529,888 (July 2011 est.)
Population growth rate
0.251% (2011 est.)
Religions
Evangelical Lutheran (official) 95%, other Christian (includes Protestant and Roman Catholic) 3%, Muslim 2%
Sanitation facility access
- urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population (2008)
- rural
- 100% of population
- total
- 100% of population (2008)
- urban
- 100% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 17 years 16 years 18 years (2008)
- female
- 18 years (2008)
- male
- 16 years
- total
- 17 years
Sex ratio
- 1.055 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
- 15-64 years
- 1.01 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.78 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.055 male(s)/female
- total population
- 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
- under 15 years
- 1.05 male(s)/female
Total fertility rate
1.74 children born/woman (2011 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
- 11.2% 12.4% 9.9% (2009)
- female
- 9.9% (2009)
- total
- 11.2%
Urbanization
- 87% of total population (2010) 0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- urban population
- 87% of total population (2010)
Government
Administrative divisions
metropolitan Denmark - 5 regions (regioner, singular - region); Hovedstaden, Midtjylland, Nordjylland, Sjaelland, Syddanmark an extensive local government reform merged 271 municipalities into 98 and 13 counties into five regions, effective 1 January 2007
Capital
- Copenhagen 55 40 N, 12 35 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October applies to continental Denmark only, not to its North Atlantic components
- daylight saving time
- +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
- geographic coordinates
- 55 40 N, 12 35 E
- name
- Copenhagen
- time difference
- UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
5 June 1953; note - constitution allowed for a unicameral legislature and a female chief of state
Country name
- Kingdom of Denmark Denmark Kongeriget Danmark Danmark
- conventional long form
- Kingdom of Denmark
- conventional short form
- Denmark
- local long form
- Kongeriget Danmark
- local short form
- Danmark
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador Laurie S. FULTON Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen PSC 73, APO AE 09716 [45] 33 41 71 00 [45] 35 43 02 23
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Laurie S. FULTON
- embassy
- Dag Hammarskjolds Alle 24, 2100 Copenhagen
- FAX
- [45] 35 43 02 23
- mailing address
- PSC 73, APO AE 09716
- telephone
- [45] 33 41 71 00
Diplomatic representation in the US
- Ambassador Peter TAKSOE-JENSEN 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 234-4300 [1] (202) 328-1470 Chicago, New York
- chancery
- 3200 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Peter TAKSOE-JENSEN
- consulate(s) general
- Chicago, New York
- FAX
- [1] (202) 328-1470
- telephone
- [1] (202) 234-4300
Executive branch
- Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born on 26 May 1968) Prime Minister Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT (since 3 October 2011) Council of State appointed by the monarch the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch
- cabinet
- Council of State appointed by the monarch
- chief of state
- Queen MARGRETHE II (since 14 January 1972); Heir Apparent Crown Prince FREDERIK, elder son of the monarch (born on 26 May 1968)
- elections
- the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch
- head of government
- Prime Minister Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT (since 3 October 2011)
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 the shifted design element was subsequently adopted by the other Nordic countries of Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden
Government type
constitutional monarchy
Independence
ca. 965 (unified and Christianized under HARALD I Gormson); 5 June 1849 (became a constitutional monarchy)
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation
ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EIB, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Judicial branch
Supreme Court (judges are appointed for life by the monarch)
Legal system
civil law; judicial review of legislative acts
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) last held on 15 September 2011 (next to be held by September 2015) percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.7%, Social Democrats 24.9%, Danish People's Party 12.3%, Social Liberal Party 9.5%, Socialist People's Party 9.2%, Unity List 6.7%, Liberal Alliance 5%, Conservative People's Party 4.9%, other 0.8%; seats by party - Liberal Party 47, Social Democrats 44, Danish People's Party 22, Social Liberal Party 17, Socialist People's Party 16, Unity List 12, Liberal Alliance 9, Conservative People's Party 8; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands
- election results
- percent of vote by party - Liberal Party 26.7%, Social Democrats 24.9%, Danish People's Party 12.3%, Social Liberal Party 9.5%, Socialist People's Party 9.2%, Unity List 6.7%, Liberal Alliance 5%, Conservative People's Party 4.9%, other 0.8%; seats by party - Liberal Party 47, Social Democrats 44, Danish People's Party 22, Social Liberal Party 17, Socialist People's Party 16, Unity List 12, Liberal Alliance 9, Conservative People's Party 8; note - does not include the two seats from Greenland and the two seats from the Faroe Islands
- elections
- last held on 15 September 2011 (next to be held by September 2015)
National anthem
- "Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Land); "Kong Christian" (King Christian) Adam Gottlob OEHLENSCHLAGER/Hans Ernst KROYER; Johannes EWALD/unknown Denmark has two national anthems with equal status; "Der er et yndigt land," adopted 1844, is a national anthem, while "Kong Christian," adopted 1780, serves as both a national and royal anthem; "Kong Christian" is also known as "Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast" (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast) and "Kongesangen" (The King's Anthem); within Denmark, the royal anthem is played only when royalty is present and is usually followed by the national anthem; when royalty is not present, only the national anthem is performed; outside Denmark, the royal anthem is played, unless the national anthem is requested
- lyrics/music
- Adam Gottlob OEHLENSCHLAGER/Hans Ernst KROYER; Johannes EWALD/unknown
- name
- "Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Land); "Kong Christian" (King Christian)
National holiday
none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day
National symbol(s)
lion; mute swan
Political parties and leaders
Christian Democrats [Bjarne Hartung KIRKEGAARD] (was Christian People's Party); Conservative People's Party [Lars BARFOED]; Danish People's Party [Pia KJAERSGAARD]; Liberal Alliance [Anders SAMUELSEN]; Liberal Party; Social Democratic Party [Helle THORNING-SCHMIDT]; Social Liberal Party [Margrethe VESTAGER]; Socialist People's Party [Villy SOEVNDAL]; Unity List [collective leadership] (bloc includes Left Socialist Party, Communist Party of Denmark, Socialist Workers' Party)
Political pressure groups and leaders
- Confederation of Danish Employers or DA [President Jorn Neergaard LARSEN]; Principal DA member organizations: Confederation of Danish Industries [CEO Karsten DYBVAD]; Confederation of Danish Labor Unions [President Harald BORSTING]; Danish Bankers Association [CEO Joergen HORWITZ]; DaneAge Association [President Bjarne HASTRUP]; Danish Society for Nature Conservation [President Ella Maria BISSCHOP-LARSEN] humanitarian relief; development assistance; human rights NGOs
- Confederation of Danish Employers or DA [President Jorn Neergaard LARSEN]; Principal DA member organizations
- Confederation of Danish Industries [CEO Karsten DYBVAD]; Confederation of Danish Labor Unions [President Harald BORSTING]; Danish Bankers Association [CEO Joergen HORWITZ]; DaneAge Association [President Bjarne HASTRUP]; Danish Society for Nature Conservation [President Ella Maria BISSCHOP-LARSEN]
- other
- humanitarian relief; development assistance; human rights NGOs
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
barley, wheat, potatoes, sugar beets; pork, dairy products; fish
Budget
- $171.7 billion $180.7 billion (2010 est.)
- expenditures
- $180.7 billion (2010 est.)
- revenues
- $171.7 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-2.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
Central bank discount rate
0.75% (31 December 2010 est.) 1% (31 December 2009 est.)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
4.3% (31 December 2010 est.) 5.3% (31 December 2009 est.)
Current account balance
$17.08 billion (2010 est.) $11.07 billion (2009 est.)
Debt - external
$626.9 billion (30 June 2011) $559.5 billion (30 June 2010)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
29 (2007) 24.7 (1992)
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 among the highest standards of living in the world 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. 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 GDP by 0.9% in 2008 and 5.2% in 2009. Historically low levels of unemployment rose sharply with the recession but remain below 5%, based on the national measure, about half the level of the EU; harmonized to OECD standards the unemployment rate was about 8% at the end of 2010. Denmark made a modest recovery in 2010 in part because of increased government spending. 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 during 2009-10. Nonetheless, Denmark's fiscal position remains among the strongest in the EU. 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.
Electricity - consumption
33.41 billion kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - exports
10.88 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports
333 million kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - production
34.15 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Exchange rates
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.624 (2010) 5.361 (2009) 5.0236 (2008) 5.4797 (2007) 5.9468 (2006)
Exports
$96.58 billion (2010 est.) $92.24 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities
machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, pharmaceuticals, furniture, windmills
Exports - partners
Germany 17.6%, Sweden 13.8%, UK 8.1%, US 5.9%, Norway 5.6%, Netherlands 4.8%, France 4.7% (2010)
GDP - composition by sector
- 1.2% 22.1% 76.7% (2010 est.)
- agriculture
- 1.2%
- industry
- 22.1%
- services
- 76.7% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$36,600 (2010 est.) $35,900 (2009 est.) $38,000 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
2.1% (2010 est.) -5.2% (2009 est.) -1.1% (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$310.8 billion (2010 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$201.7 billion (2010 est.) $197.7 billion (2009 est.) $208.5 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 1.9% 28.7% (2007)
- highest 10%
- 28.7% (2007)
- lowest 10%
- 1.9%
Imports
$87.44 billion (2010 est.) $84.16 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities
machinery and equipment, raw materials and semimanufactures for industry, chemicals, grain and foodstuffs, consumer goods
Imports - partners
Germany 21.1%, Sweden 13.7%, Netherlands 7.3%, China 6.8%, UK 6.1%, Norway 5.5% (2010)
Industrial production growth rate
1.6% (2010 est.)
Industries
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)
2.3% (2010 est.) 1.3% (2009 est.)
Investment (gross fixed)
16.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
Labor force
2.852 million (2010 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 2.5% 20.2% 77.3% (2005 est.)
- agriculture
- 2.5%
- industry
- 20.2%
- services
- 77.3% (2005 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$231.7 billion (31 December 2010) $186.9 billion (31 December 2009) $131.5 billion (31 December 2008)
Natural gas - consumption
4.948 billion cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - exports
3.52 billion cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - imports
138 million cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - production
8.171 billion cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
58.13 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
Oil - consumption
167,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Oil - exports
266,700 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Oil - imports
173,900 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Oil - production
247,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Oil - proved reserves
812 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
Population below poverty line
12.1% (2007)
Public debt
43.7% of GDP (2010 est.) 41.8% of GDP (2009 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$76.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $76.65 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of broad money
$174.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $197.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$183 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $180.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$139.7 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $140.4 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$672.9 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $713 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$146.8 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $158.1 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
55.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
Unemployment rate
6% (2010 est.) 4.7% (2009 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
strong public-sector television 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 are operational (2007)
Internet country code
.dk
Internet hosts
4.145 million (2010)
Internet users
4.75 million (2009)
Telephone system
- excellent telephone and telegraph services buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, multiple cellular mobile communications systems 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)
- domestic
- buried and submarine cables and microwave radio relay form trunk network, multiple cellular mobile communications systems
- general assessment
- excellent telephone and telegraph services
- 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 - main lines in use
2.623 million (2010)
Telephones - mobile cellular
6.905 million (2010)
Transportation
Airports
92 (2010)
Airports - with paved runways
- 3 (2010)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 4
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 7
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 12
- over 3,047 m
- 2
- total
- 28
- under 914 m
- 3 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 61 (2010)
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 3
- total
- 64
- under 914 m
- 61 (2010)
Merchant marine
- bulk carrier 4, cargo 56, carrier 1, chemical tanker 104, container 87, liquefied gas 4, passenger/cargo 40, petroleum tanker 38, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 6, specialized tanker 3 32 (Germany 10, Greece 1, Iceland 3, Norway 2, Sweden 16) 592 (Antigua and Barbuda 20, Bahamas 59, Belgium 4, Brazil 3, Cyprus 6, Egypt 1, France 12, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 6, Hong Kong 41, Isle of Man 26, Italy 4, Jamaica 1, Liberia 4, Lithuania 8, Malaysia 1, Malta 41, Marshall Islands 7, Mexico 2, Netherlands 36, former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 11, Panama 46, Portugal 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 19, Singapore 125, South Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 15, UK 46, Uruguay 1, US 34, Venezuela 1, unknown 3) (2010)
- foreign-owned
- 32 (Germany 10, Greece 1, Iceland 3, Norway 2, Sweden 16)
- registered in other countries
- 592 (Antigua and Barbuda 20, Bahamas 59, Belgium 4, Brazil 3, Cyprus 6, Egypt 1, France 12, Georgia 1, Gibraltar 6, Hong Kong 41, Isle of Man 26, Italy 4, Jamaica 1, Liberia 4, Lithuania 8, Malaysia 1, Malta 41, Marshall Islands 7, Mexico 2, Netherlands 36, former Netherlands Antilles 1, Norway 11, Panama 46, Portugal 4, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 19, Singapore 125, South Africa 1, Spain 2, Sweden 15, UK 46, Uruguay 1, US 34, Venezuela 1, unknown 3) (2010)
- total
- 347
Pipelines
gas 2,858 km; oil 107 km (2010)
Ports and terminals
Aalborg, Aarhus, Copenhagen, Ensted, Esbjerg, Fredericia, Kalundborg
Railways
- 2,667 km 2,667 km 1.435-m gauge (640 km electrified) (2008)
- total
- 2,667 km
Roadways
- 73,197 km 73,197 km (includes 1,111 km of expressways) (2008)
- total
- 73,197 km
Waterways
400 km (2010)
Military and Security
Manpower available for military service
- 1,236,337 1,224,182 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 1,224,182 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 1,236,337
Manpower fit for military service
- 1,014,560 1,003,921 (2010 est.)
- females age 16-49
- 1,003,921 (2010 est.)
- males age 16-49
- 1,014,560
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
- 37,913 35,865 (2010 est.)
- female
- 35,865 (2010 est.)
- male
- 37,913
Military branches
- Defense Command: Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Arctic Command, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2010)
- Defense Command
- Army Operational Command, Admiral Danish Fleet, Arctic Command, Tactical Air Command, Home Guard (2010)
Military expenditures
1.3% of GDP (2007 est.)
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)
Transnational Issues
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