Denmark has officially reached a population of six million people, marking a historic demographic milestone. According to freshly released data from Danmarks Statistik, the population now stands at precisely 6,001,008 residents—the highest figure ever recorded in the country.
The last time Denmark crossed a million-mark threshold was in 1973, when the population reached five million. The progression to six million has taken over 50 years, underlining both the demographic stability and the changing drivers of population growth in the country.
Immigration plays a key role in growth since 1973
Traditionally, population increases in Denmark have been the result of a natural surplus—more births than deaths. However, that dynamic has changed significantly over the past decades.
“Birth rates have been declining while immigration has increased, which means that immigration now has a greater impact on population growth than before,” said Jonas Schytz Juul, Director of Demographic Statistics at Danmarks Statistik.
Demographer Rune Lindahl-Jacobsen, professor at the University of Southern Denmark, confirmed that immigration has been decisive:
“We would not have reached six million without immigration.”
Currently, Denmark is home to approximately 950,000 immigrants and their descendants. Without them, the population would still be at the same level as it was in the early 1970s. The largest groups of newcomers have come from Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Germany, and Turkey.
Denmark population: a slow but steady rise
The journey to six million has been steady but slow:
- 1 million: 1811
- 2 million: 1882
- 3 million: 1919
- 4 million: 1945
- 5 million: 1973
- 6 million: 2025
This timeline reflects key moments in Denmark’s demographic development, with earlier increases tied more closely to natural growth and post-war recoveries.
Denmark future projections suggest slowdown ahead
Despite this milestone, demographers do not expect Denmark to reach seven million anytime soon. Projections indicate a population of around 6.3 million in 45 to 50 years, under current trends.
Low birth rates and an ageing population are the primary reasons behind the slower growth outlook. Many Danes born shortly after World War II are now reaching old age, contributing to a growing number of deaths and reducing the natural surplus.
“The wildcard here is immigration,” Juul noted. “It’s hard to predict future immigration trends, given how many factors influence them.”
A turning point for Denmark’s demographic narrative
Crossing the six-million threshold is more than symbolic. It reflects the transformation of Danish society, its labour market, and the role of migration in shaping population dynamics. As the country faces long-term demographic challenges, this moment offers a chance to reflect on how policy and integration will shape the next phase of Denmark’s population story.
