Denmark
The Kingdom of Denmark, colloquially the Community of the Realm, extends to two autonomous regions—Greenland and the Faroe Islands. Denmark performs in the high-range across all categories of the Global State of Democracy Framework and in the top 25 per cent of countries across all factors, without experiencing any significant change between 2019-2024. Denmark has a high-income, regulated, and service-based market economy based on a social welfare model—despite recent reforms in the name of efficiency that attract various criticisms.
After the Viking Age, the Kalmar Union united the kingdoms of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway (including Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and the Northern Isles) under the Danish crown from 1397 until 1523. In 1849, the country transitioned from an absolute to constitutional monarchy as Denmark’s first democratic constitution was signed, establishing a bicameral parliament. Further constitutional reform led to women’s enfranchisement in 1915 and later unicameralism, with contemporary Danish politics characterized by consensus, decentralization, and the prevalence of minority coalition governments. In spite of the latter, Denmark is distinguished by its comparative stability and ability to pass legislation. Political power has tended to oscillate between center-left and center-right, although the 2022 legislative elections brought Denmark its first bipartisan government in over four decades.
This structure of national political competition was previously driven largely by class relations and an urban-rural divide, but today includes new issue areas such as immigration the depth of relations with the European Union (EU), and the environment. A paradigm shift in immigration policy has ensued in Denmark’s multicultural landscape, evident in its tightening of migration restrictions, an increasing focus on repatriation rather than integration, and the controversial ‘ghetto law,’ which has been deemed discriminatory. Denmark has transitioned from having the “most people friendly” immigration policies to designating areas as “parallel societies,” depending on their percentage of “non-Westerners.” The securitization of migration has occurred in part under Tryghed—a unique Danish discourse where political leaders frame security issues in a way that goes beyond mere fearmongering. Nonetheless, minority groups are significantly more pessimistic than their counterparts with regards to satisfaction with government, the credibility of election process, and the workings of the judicial system, according to International IDEA’s Perceptions of Democracy. Despite recent progress, systemic historical injustice against the Greenlandic Inuit also remains a political issue, drawing attention particularly as Greenland takes steps towards independence.
Despite gender-based disparities in perceptions of democracy, Gender Equality in Denmark is at its highest recorded level, with changes to parental leave and an increase in abortion time limits as positive developments. Legal protections for the LGBTQIA+ community are considered strong, with Denmark adopting amendments to the Discrimination Act and the Gender Equality Act to expand safeguards against discrimination.
With stability in its democratic performance over the past five years and above average levels of political trust, democracy in Denmark remains well-functioning, at least in terms of the state-citizen relationship. Given differences in perceptions of democracy amongst women, low-income, and minority groups, however, Social Group Equality will be an important sub-factor to watch in the coming years—especially as the Danish government has put forward its anticipated action plan against racism and welfare reforms take effect. More fundamentally, how Denmark manages challenges and potential changes to its territories will be intertwined with its future democratic performance.
Last updated: May 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
January 2025
Authorities revoke controversial “parenting competency” test used on Greenlanders
On 17 January, the Danish and Greenlandic governments agreed to revoke the use of the controversial psychometric “parenting competency” test (FKU) in child protection cases involving Greenlanders, effective from 1 May 2025. The test has long been criticized by activists and human rights bodies as discriminatory and for failing to reflect the Greenlandic language, culture and societal norms. In November 2024, the test sparked outrage when a baby was taken from a Greenlandic mother hours after birth.
Sources: Social- og Boligministeriet, Euronews, Politiken, Sermitasq, Danish Broadcasting Corporation
May 2024
New law expands time limit for abortion
The Danish government has reached an agreement with the Socialist Left Party, the Red Green Alliance, the Social Liberal Party and the Alternative Party to raise the limit on abortions from 12 to 18 weeks of pregnancy. The 12-week limit was in place since abortion was made legal in Denmark in 1973 and the new limit is justified as a way to give women more time to receive all information and make a decision. The new law would also allow teenagers from the age of 15, which is also the age of consent, to have an abortion without needing parental permission. The new law will take effect in June 2025, following the government's amendments to the Health Act with the new regulations.
Source: Politico, The Local, the Danish Ministry for the Interior and Health
December 2023
Parliament passes amendments against inappropriate treatment of religiously significant writings
Following Quran-burning incidents and protests, the parliament passed amendments against inappropriate treatment of writings with religious significance for any recognized religious communities, including banning the burning of the Quran. The aim of the new law is to protect national security. Individuals found in violation of this law may be subject to imprisonment for up to two years. The change garnered approval from 94 out of 179 members of the Danish parliament, with 77 votes against. Public acts such as burning, tearing, or defiling religious texts could lead to fines or imprisonment. Additionally, individuals who destroy a holy text on video and share the footage online may also face imprisonment. Critics contend that the legislation restricts freedom of expression.
Sources: Danish joint state legal information system (Retsinformation), Nyheder, Politico, Deutsche Welle, Reuters, International IDEA
September 2023
Presidium allows use of Greenlandic and Faroese in Parliament
On 21 September, the Presidium of the Parliament announced that speeches in Greenlandic and Faroese are permitted in the Parliament’s chamber, if the speech is translated to Danish afterwards. To facilitate the translation, funds will be provided for parliamentarians to hire interpreters. Further, the Parliament website alongside records of relevant debates will be translated and all parliamentary staff will receive training in the two regions’ histories, cultures and politics. The decision comes after Danish-Greenlandic parliamentarian Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam spoke in Greenlandic during a debate in May, sparking discussion on the language policy of the Parliament. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are autonomous territories within the Kingdom of Denmark, which classifies Danish, Greenlandic and Faroese as official languages. The decision is widely supported among lawmakers, although some hoped for the introduction of simultaneous interpretation, as is done in the Greenlandic parliament.
Sources: DR, Euractiv, Danish Parliament
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