Editing Denmark (section)

== Economy ==
{{further|Economy of Denmark|List of companies of Denmark|List of largest Danish companies}}
{{Hatnote|Also related: [[Economy of the Faroe Islands]] and [[Economy of Greenland]]}}
[[File:Lego Shop 02.jpg|thumb|right|[[The Lego Group|Lego]], world's largest toy company by revenue, headquartered in [[Billund, Denmark|Billund]]]]
Denmark has a [[developed economy|developed]] [[mixed economy]] that is classed as a [[World Bank high-income economy|high-income economy]] by the [[World Bank]].<ref>[http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-and-lending-groups#High_income Country and Lending Groups.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702131322/http://data.worldbank.org/about/country-and-lending-groups#High_income |date=2 July 2014 }} World Bank. Accessed on 14 March 2016.</ref> In 2022, it ranked 8th in the world in terms of [[List of countries by GNI (PPP) per capita|gross national income (PPP) per capita]] and 10th in [[List of countries by GNI (nominal, Atlas method) per capita|nominal GNI per capita]].<ref name=wb>{{Cite web |url=http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GNIPC.pdf |title=Gross national income per capita 2017, Atlas method and PPP. World Development Indicators database, World Bank, 21 September 2018. Retrieved 6 December 2018. |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912071238/http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GNIpc.pdf |archive-date=12 September 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref> Denmark's economy stands out as one of the most free in the [[Index of Economic Freedom]] and the [[Economic Freedom of the World]].<ref>{{unfit|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20170916153902/http://www.heritage.org/index/ranking "Country Ratings"]}}, 2012 Index of Economic Freedom. Retrieved 12 January 2012.</ref><ref name="2011-09-20_fraserinstitute">{{cite web | url = http://www.freetheworld.com/2011/reports/world/EFW2011_complete.pdf | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110926213117/http://www.freetheworld.com/2011/reports/world/EFW2011_complete.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-date = 26 September 2011 | title = Economic Freedom of the World: 2011 Annual Report Complete Publication (2.7 MB) | website = [[freetheworld.com]] | publisher = [[Fraser Institute]] | year = 2011 | access-date =20 September 2011 }}</ref> It is the 10th most competitive economy in the world, and 7th in Europe and North America, according to the [[World Economic Forum]] in its ''Global Competitiveness Report 2019''.<ref name="wefcomp">{{cite web |url=http://reports.weforum.org/global-competitiveness-report-2018/competitiveness-rankings/ |title=Global Competitiveness Report 2018 |publisher=World Economic Forum |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208123549/http://reports.weforum.org/global-competitiveness-report-2018/competitiveness-rankings/ |archive-date=8 December 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Denmark has the fourth highest ratio of [[tertiary education|tertiary degree]] holders in the world.<ref>[http://www.uis.unesco.org/Library/Documents/ged09-en.pdf UNESCO 2009 Global Education Digest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128145810/http://www.uis.unesco.org/Library/Documents/ged09-en.pdf |date=28 November 2011 }}, Shared fourth with Finland at a 30.3% ratio. Graph on p. 28, table on p. 194.</ref> The country ranks highest in the world for [[labor rights|workers' rights]].<ref>Kevin Short (28 May 2014). [https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/28/worst-countries-workers_n_5389679.html The Worst Places On The Planet To Be A Worker] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528214143/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/28/worst-countries-workers_n_5389679.html |date=28 May 2014 }}. ''[[The Huffington Post]].'' Retrieved 28 May 2014.</ref> GDP per hour worked was the 16th highest in 2022. The country has a market income inequality close to the [[OECD]] average,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oecd.org/eco/public-finance/TacklingincomeinequalityTheroleoftaxesandtransfers.pdf |title=Tackling income inequality. The role of taxes and transfers. |first1=Isabelle|last1=Joumard|first2=Mauro|last2=Pisu|first3=Debbie|last3=Bloch |publisher=OECD |date=2012 |access-date=10 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228060612/http://www.oecd.org/eco/public-finance/TacklingincomeinequalityTheroleoftaxesandtransfers.pdf |archive-date=28 December 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbs.dk/files/cbs.dk/new_papers_4.pdf |title=Sources and impact of rising inequality in Denmark |first1=Ioana|last1=Neamtu|first2=Niels|last2=Westergaard-Nielsen|date=March 2013 |access-date=10 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211011217/http://www.cbs.dk/files/cbs.dk/new_papers_4.pdf |archive-date=11 February 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref> but after taxes and public cash transfers the income inequality is [[List of countries by income equality|considerably lower]]. According to [[Eurostat]], Denmark's [[Gini coefficient]] for disposable income was the 7th-lowest among EU countries in 2017.<ref name=eurostat>{{Cite web |url=http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/submitViewTableAction.do |title=Gini coefficient of equivalised disposable income – EU-SILC survey. Eurostat, last data update 20 November 2018, retrieved 6 December 2018. |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006122431/http://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/submitViewTableAction.do |archive-date=6 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
According to the [[International Monetary Fund]], Denmark has [[List of minimum wages by country|the world's highest minimum wage]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2010/02/weodata/index.aspx |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2010 Edition |publisher=IMF |date=6 October 2010 |access-date=5 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222101150/http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2010/02/weodata/index.aspx |archive-date=22 February 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref> As Denmark has no minimum wage legislation, the high wage floor has been attributed to the power of [[trade union]]s. For example, as the result of a collective bargaining agreement between the [[Fagligt Fælles Forbund|3F trade union]] and the employers group [[:da:Horesta|Horesta]], workers at [[McDonald's]] and other [[fast food chain]]s make the equivalent of [[United States dollar|US$]]20 an hour, which is more than double what their counterparts earn in the United States, and have access to paid vacation, [[parental leave]] and a pension plan.<ref>Liz Alderman and Steven Greenhouse (27 October 2014). [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/business/international/living-wages-served-in-denmark-fast-food-restaurants.html Living Wages, Rarity for U.S. Fast-Food Workers, Served Up in Denmark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028002802/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/business/international/living-wages-served-in-denmark-fast-food-restaurants.html |date=28 October 2014 }}. ''[[The New York Times]].'' Retrieved 28 October 2014.</ref> Union density in 2015 was 68%.<ref>On Sweden and Denmark, see Anders Kjellberg and Christian Lyhne Ibsen [https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/ws/files/21682547/Kjellberg_og_Ibsen_2016_ur_Due_og_Madsen.pdf "Attacks on union organizing: Reversible and irreversible changes to the Ghent-systems in Sweden and Denmark"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309062312/https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/ws/files/21682547/Kjellberg_og_Ibsen_2016_ur_Due_og_Madsen.pdf |date=9 March 2017 }} in Trine Pernille Larsen and Anna Ilsøe (eds.)(2016) ''Den Danske Model set udefra (The Danish Model Inside Out) – komparative perspektiver på dansk arbejdsmarkedsregulering'', Copenhagen: Jurist- og Økonomforbundets Forlag (pp. 292)</ref>

Once a predominantly [[agriculture|agricultural]] country on account of its [[arable land|arable]] landscape, since 1945 Denmark has greatly expanded its [[industrial base]] and [[service sector]]. By 2017 services contributed circa 75% of GDP, manufacturing about 15% and agriculture less than 2%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statistikbanken.dk/nabp10 |title=StatBank Denmark, Table NABP10: 1-2.1.1 Production and generation of income (10a3-grouping) by transaction, industry and price unit. Retrieved on December 6, 2018. |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117022122/http://statistikbanken.dk/NABP10 |archive-date=17 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Major industries include [[wind turbine]]s, [[pharmaceutical industry|pharmaceuticals]], [[medical equipment]], [[machinery]] and transportation equipment, [[food processing]], and [[construction]].<ref name="factbook2">{{cite web|date=3 December 2018|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/denmark/|title=Denmark|work=The World Factbook|publisher=CIA|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705032013/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/denmark/|url-status=live}}</ref> Circa 60% of the total export value is due to export of goods, and the remaining 40% is from service exports, mainly sea transport. The country's main export goods are: wind turbines, pharmaceuticals, machinery and instruments, meat and meat products, dairy products, fish, furniture and design.<ref name="factbook2" /> Denmark is a net exporter of food and energy and has for a number of years had a [[balance of payments]] surplus which has transformed the country from a net debitor to a net creditor country. By 1 July 2018, the [[net international investment position]] (or [[net foreign assets]]) of Denmark was equal to 64.6% of GDP.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-datasets/-/TIPSII40 |title=Eurostat: Net international investment position – quarterly data, % of GDP. Last update 24 October 2018, retrieved December 6 2018. |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126221506/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-datasets/-/TIPSII40 |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

[[File:Svin ved Tarm, Jylland aug 2015 (20871345365).jpg|thumb|Denmark is a major producer and exporter of [[pork]] products.<!--http://www.worldstopexports.com/pork-exports-by-country/ no longer the largest exporter in the EU as of 2019.<ref>[http://www.cecmanitoba.ca/resource/hearings/22/21.pdf ''An Overview of Danish Pork Industry: Integration and Structure''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065103/http://www.cecmanitoba.ca/resource/hearings/22/21.pdf |date=4 March 2016 }} by Karen Hamann – The Institute for Food Studies & Agroindustrial Development. Access date: 23 July 2012.</ref>-->]]
Denmark is part of the [[European Union]]'s [[European Single Market|internal market]], which represents more than 508 million consumers. Several domestic commercial policies are determined by agreements among European Union (EU) members and by EU legislation. Support for [[free trade]] is high among the Danish public; in a 2016 poll 57% responded saw globalisation as an opportunity whereas 18% viewed it as a threat.<ref>{{in lang|da}} [https://finans.dk/finans/okonomi/ECE9155832/danskerne-og-lo-elsker-globalisering/?ctxref=ext  Danskerne og LO elsker globalisering. Newspaper article 17 November 2016 on finans.dk. Retrieved 6 December 2018.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181206192549/https://finans.dk/finans/okonomi/ECE9155832/danskerne-og-lo-elsker-globalisering/?ctxref=ext |date=6 December 2018 }}</ref> 70% of trade flows are inside the European Union. {{As of|2017}}, Denmark's largest export partners are Germany, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.<ref name="factbook" />

Denmark's currency, the ''[[Danish krone|krone]]'' (DKK), is [[Fixed exchange rate|pegged]] at approximately 7.46 kroner per euro through the [[European Exchange Rate Mechanism|ERM II]]. Although a [[2000 Danish euro referendum|September 2000 referendum]] rejected adopting the [[euro]],<ref name=denmarkandtheeuro>{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalbanken.dk/DNUK/Euro.nsf/side/Denmark_and_the_euro!OpenDocument |title=Denmark and the euro |access-date=3 February 2007 |date=17 November 2006 |publisher=[[Danmarks Nationalbank]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116210231/http://nationalbanken.dk/DNUK/Euro.nsf/side/Denmark_and_the_euro!OpenDocument |archive-date=16 November 2006 }}</ref> the country follows the policies set forth in the [[Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union]] (EMU) and meets the economic [[Euro convergence criteria|convergence criteria]] needed to adopt the euro. The majority of the political parties in the Folketing support joining the EMU, but since 2010 opinion polls have consistently shown a clear majority against adopting the euro. In March 2018, 29% of respondents from Denmark in a [[Eurobarometer]] opinion poll stated that they were in favour of the EMU and the euro, whereas 65% were against it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2180|title=Standard Eurobarometer 89 – Spring 2018 – Factsheets Denmark|publisher=Eurobarometer|date=June 2018|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116220555/https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/2180|archive-date=16 January 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The exact same poll conducted in November 2023, was almost unchanged with 31% in favour and 63% against.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3053|title=Standard Eurobarometer 100 – Autumn 2023 – Country Factsheets in English – Denmark|publisher=Eurobarometer|date=December 2023|access-date=7 March 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305111429/https://europa.eu/eurobarometer/surveys/detail/3053|archive-date=5 March 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>

Ranked by turnover in Denmark, the largest Danish companies are: [[A.P. Møller-Mærsk]] (international shipping), [[Novo Nordisk]] (pharmaceuticals), [[ISS A/S]] (facility services), [[Vestas]] ([[wind turbine]]s), [[Arla Foods]] (dairy), [[DSV (company)|DSV]] (transport), [[Carlsberg Group]] (beer), [[Salling Group]] (retail), [[Ørsted (company)|Ørsted A/S]] (power), [[Danske Bank]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The largest companies by turnover in Denmark|url=http://www.largestcompanies.com/toplists/denmark/largest-companies-by-turnover|website=largestcompanies.com|publisher=Nordic Netproducts AB|access-date=18 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106204016/http://www.largestcompanies.com/toplists/denmark/largest-companies-by-turnover|archive-date=6 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Danish government focused into methods to increase [[taxes]] on [[energy]] dealers in 2023.<ref>{{cite web|date=4 May 2023|title=Denmark mulls higher taxes for energy traders|url=https://www.montelnews.com/news/1497581/denmark-mulls-higher-taxes-for-energy-traders|access-date=5 May 2023|archive-date=20 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231120104957/https://www.montelnews.com/news/1497581/denmark-mulls-higher-taxes-for-energy-traders|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Public policy ===
{{See also|Flexicurity|Taxation in Denmark}}
{{Hatnote|Also related: [[Taxation in the Faroe Islands]] and [[Taxation in Greenland]]}}

Danes enjoy a high standard of living and the Danish economy is characterised by extensive government [[welfare state|welfare provisions]]. Denmark has a [[corporate tax]] rate of 22% and a special time-limited tax regime for expatriates.<ref>[http://www.investindk.com/Establishing-a-business-in-Denmark Business Environment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221130914/http://www.investindk.com/Establishing-a-business-in-Denmark |date=21 February 2012 }}, Invest in Denmark</ref> The Danish taxation system is broad based, with a 25% [[value-added tax]], in addition to excise taxes, income taxes and other fees. The overall level of taxation (sum of all taxes, as a percentage of GDP) was 46% in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://statistikbanken.dk/sktryk |title=StatBank Denmark, SKTRYK: Tax level by national account groups. Retrieved December 6 2018. |access-date=6 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125073944/http://statistikbanken.dk/sktryk |archive-date=25 November 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The tax structure of Denmark (the relative weight of different taxes) differs from the OECD average, as the Danish tax system in 2015 was characterised by substantially higher revenues from taxes on personal income and a lower proportion of revenues from taxes on corporate income and gains and property taxes than in OECD generally, whereas no revenues at all derive from social security contributions. The proportion deriving from payroll taxes, VAT, and other taxes on goods and services correspond to the OECD average<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oecd.org/tax/revenue-statistics-denmark.pdf |title=OECD Revenue Statistics 2018 – Denmark. Retrieved 18 December 2018. |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180908202458/http://www.oecd.org/tax/revenue-statistics-denmark.pdf |archive-date=8 September 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

{{As of|2022}}, 6.5% of the population was reported to live below the [[poverty line]], when adjusted for taxes and transfers. Denmark had the 2nd lowest relative poverty rate in the [[OECD]] after Czech Republic, below the 11.4% OECD average.<ref name=OECD1>{{cite web|title=Society at a Glance 2014 Highlights: Denmark OECD Social Indicators|url=http://www.oecd.org/denmark/OECD-SocietyAtaGlance2014-Highlights-Denmark.pdf|publisher=OECD|access-date=23 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121312/http://www.oecd.org/denmark/OECD-SocietyAtaGlance2014-Highlights-Denmark.pdf|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The 6% of the population reporting that they could not afford to buy sufficient food was less than half of the OECD average.<ref name=OECD1 />

=== Labour market ===
Like other Nordic countries, Denmark has adopted the [[Nordic Model]], which combines [[free market]] capitalism with a comprehensive [[welfare state]] and strong [[worker protection]].<ref name="Nordic Model">{{cite web |url=http://www.iea.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/files/Sweden%20Paper.pdf |title=The surprising ingredients of Swedish success – free markets and social cohesion |date=25 June 2013 |publisher=[[Institute of Economic Affairs]] |access-date=13 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102084545/http://www.iea.org.uk/sites/default/files/publications/files/Sweden%20Paper.pdf |archive-date=2 November 2013 |url-status=live  }}</ref> As a result of its acclaimed "[[flexicurity]]" model, Denmark has the freest [[labour economics|labour market]] in Europe, according to the World Bank. Employers can hire and fire whenever they want (flexibility), and between jobs, [[unemployment]] compensation is relatively high (security). According to OECD, initial as well as long-term net replacement rates for unemployed persons were 65% of previous net income in 2016, against an OECD average of 53%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.oecd.org/els/benefits-and-wages.htm |title=Tax and Benefit Systems: OECD Indicators. Benefit generosity. Data retrieved 18 December 2018. |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227040716/http://www.oecd.org/els/benefits-and-wages.htm |archive-date=27 December 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> No restrictions apply regarding overtime work, which allows companies to operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investindk.com/Why-Denmark/10-good-reasons |title=10 Good Reasons to Invest in Denmark |publisher=Investindk.com |access-date=12 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216124310/http://www.investindk.com/Why-Denmark/10-good-reasons |archive-date=16 February 2016 |url-status=live  }}</ref> With an employment rate in 2017 of 74.2% for people aged 15–64-years, Denmark ranks 9th highest among the OECD countries, and above the OECD average of 67.8%.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=LFS_SEXAGE_I_R |title=LFS by sex and age – indicators. OECD Statistics, data retrieved 18 December 2018. |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217130806/https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=LFS_SEXAGE_I_R |archive-date=17 December 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The unemployment rate was 5.7% in 2017,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/lfs/data/database |title=Eurostat Employment and Unemployment Database, Table une_rt_a. Unemployment by sex and age – annual average. Last update 31 October 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018. |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223155807/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/lfs/data/database |archive-date=23 December 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref> which is considered close to or below its structural level.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/2018-european-semester-convergence-programme-denmark_en.pdf |title=The Danish Government: Denmark's Convergence Programme 2018, p. 8. Publication date April 2018, retrieved 18 December 2018. |access-date=18 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226233059/https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/2018-european-semester-convergence-programme-denmark_en.pdf |archive-date=26 December 2018 |url-status=live  }}</ref>

The level of [[unemployment benefits]] is dependent on former employment and normally on membership of an unemployment fund, which is usually closely connected to a trade union, and previous payment of contributions. Circa 65% of the financing comes from earmarked member contributions, whereas the remaining third originates from the central government and hence from general taxation.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.information.dk/indland/2018/10/ny-undersoegelse-dag-statens-udgifter-dagpenge-tre-gange-mindre-1995|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227040753/https://www.information.dk/indland/2018/10/ny-undersoegelse-dag-statens-udgifter-dagpenge-tre-gange-mindre-1995|url-status=dead|title=Ny undersøgelse: I dag er statens udgifter til dagpenge tre gange mindre end i 1995 &#124; Information|archivedate=27 December 2018}}</ref>

===Business===
Establishing a business in Denmark can be undertaken in a matter of hours and at very low costs.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.investindk.com/Why-Denmark |title=The world's best business environment |publisher=Investindk.com |access-date=5 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701080756/http://www.investindk.com/Why-Denmark |archive-date=1 July 2012 |url-status=live  }}</ref> The Danish government operates a "Danish Business Authority", and launched a series of initiatives in 2012 aiming to simplify business rules, making it easier to run a business without jeopardising the intended goals of relevant legislation.<ref>Danish Business Authority, [https://danishbusinessauthority.dk/better-business-regulation Better business regulation], accessed on 1 September 2024</ref>

=== Science and technology ===
{{See also|Internet in Denmark}}
[[File:Denmark Confirms Participation in E-ELT.jpg|thumb|With an investment of 8.5 million euros over the ten-year construction period, Denmark confirms participation in [[E-ELT]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Denmark Confirms Participation in E-ELT|url=http://www.eso.org/public/announcements/ann13033/|access-date=17 April 2013|newspaper=ESO Announmentes|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416044926/http://www.eso.org/public/announcements/ann13033/|archive-date=16 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
Denmark has a long tradition of scientific and technological invention and engagement, and has been involved internationally from the very start of the [[scientific revolution]]. In current times, Denmark is participating in many high-profile international science and technology projects, including [[CERN]], [[ITER]], [[ESA]], [[International Space Station|ISS]] and [[E-ELT]]. Denmark was ranked 10th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2024, down from 6th in 2020 and from 7th in 2019.<ref>{{Cite book |author=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2024 |title=Global Innovation Index 2024: Unlocking the Promise of Social Entrepreneurship |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=www.wipo.int |page=18 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.50062 |isbn=978-92-805-3681-2 |archive-date=10 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210002031/https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=WIPO |title=Global Innovation Index 2022|edition=15th |url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2022/index.html |access-date=16 November 2022 |website=www.wipo.int |year=2022 |publisher=World Intellectual Property Organization |doi=10.34667/tind.46596 |isbn=9789280534320 |language=en |archive-date=3 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203061259/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2022/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Release of the Global Innovation Index 2020: Who Will Finance Innovation?|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2020/index.html|access-date=2 September 2021|work=World Intellectual Property Organization|language=en|archive-date=3 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603121259/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2020/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Innovation Index 2019|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|access-date=2 September 2021|work=World Intellectual Property Organization|language=en|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101818/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 20th century, Danes have also been innovative in several fields of the technology sector. Danish companies have been influential in the shipping industry with the design of the largest and most energy efficient container ships in the world, the [[Maersk Triple E class]], and Danish engineers have contributed to the design of [[MAN Diesel]] engines. In the software and electronic field, Denmark contributed to design and manufacturing of [[Nordic Mobile Telephone]]s, and the now-defunct Danish company [[DanCall]] was among the first to develop [[GSM]] mobile phones.

[[Life science]] is a key sector with extensive research and development activities. Danish engineers are world-leading in providing [[diabetes]] care equipment and medication products from Novo Nordisk and, since 2000, the Danish [[biotech]] company [[Novozymes]], the world market leader in enzymes for first generation starch-based [[bioethanol]], has pioneered development of enzymes for converting waste to [[cellulosic ethanol]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&Itemid=132&id=3101|title=Novozymes, the world's leading provider of enzymes to the biofuels industry|work=Canadian Biomass Magazine|access-date=7 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010095027/http://www.canadianbiomassmagazine.ca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&Itemid=132&id=3101|archive-date=10 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Medicon Valley]]'', spanning the [[Øresund Region]] between Zealand and Sweden, is one of Europe's largest life science [[business cluster|clusters]].

Danish-born computer scientists and software engineers have taken leading roles in some of the world's programming languages: [[Anders Hejlsberg]] ([[Turbo Pascal]], [[Delphi (programming language)|Delphi]], [[C Sharp (programming language)|C#]]); [[Rasmus Lerdorf]] ([[PHP]]); [[Bjarne Stroustrup]] ([[C++]]); [[David Heinemeier Hansson]] ([[Ruby on Rails]]); [[Lars Bak (computer programmer)|Lars Bak]], a pioneer in virtual machines ([[V8 (JavaScript engine)|V8]], [[Java virtual machine|Java VM]], [[Dart (programming language)|Dart]]). Physicist [[Lene Vestergaard Hau]] is the first person to stop light, leading to advances in [[quantum computing]], [[nanoscale engineering]], and [[linear optics]].

=== Energy ===
{{Main|Energy in Denmark}}
{{See also|Energy in the Faroe Islands|Energy in Greenland}}
[[File:DanishWindTurbines.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|[[Middelgrunden wind farm|Middelgrunden]], an offshore wind farm near Copenhagen]]

Denmark has considerably large deposits of oil and natural gas in the [[North Sea]] and ranks as number 32 in the world among net exporters of [[Petroleum|crude oil]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=DA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304094837/http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/country/country_energy_data.cfm?fips=DA |archive-date=4 March 2010 |title=EIA – International Energy Data and Analysis for Denmark |publisher=Tonto.eia.doe.gov |date=15 May 2009 |access-date=29 May 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and was producing 259,980 barrels of crude oil a day in 2009.<ref>[http://www.indexmundi.com/energy.aspx?country=dk Denmark Crude Oil Production and Consumption by Year (Thousand Barrels per Day)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204011430/http://www.indexmundi.com/energy.aspx?country=dk |date=4 December 2011 }} – indexmundi.</ref> Denmark is a long-time leader in [[wind power]]: In 2015 [[wind turbine]]s provided 42.1% of the total electricity consumption.<ref>[http://cphpost.dk/news/business/wind-energy-in-denmark-breaking-world-records.html Wind energy in Denmark breaking world records] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160119022407/http://cphpost.dk/news/business/wind-energy-in-denmark-breaking-world-records.html |date=19 January 2016 }} The Copenhagen Post, Retrieved 17 January 2016.</ref> {{As of|2011|05|alt=In May 2011}} Denmark derived 3.1% of its gross domestic product from renewable (clean) energy technology and energy efficiency, or around €6.5&nbsp;billion ($9.4&nbsp;billion).<ref>[http://news.yourolivebranch.org/2011/05/10/denmark-invests-the-most-in-clean-energy-per-gdp/ Denmark Invests the Most in Clean Energy per GDP] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516123405/http://news.yourolivebranch.org/2011/05/10/denmark-invests-the-most-in-clean-energy-per-gdp/ |date=16 May 2012 }} – yourolivebranch.org. Retrieved 3 January 2012</ref> Denmark is connected by [[electric transmission lines]] to other European countries.

[[Electricity sector in Denmark|Denmark's electricity sector]] has integrated energy sources such as wind power into the national grid. Denmark now aims to focus on intelligent battery systems ([[Vehicle-to-grid|V2G]]) and [[Electric vehicle|plug-in vehicles]] in the transport sector.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.energymap.dk/Technology-Areas/Intelligent-Energy/Plug-in-and-Electrical-Vehicles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719122621/http://www.energymap.dk/Technology-Areas/Intelligent-Energy/Plug-in-and-Electrical-Vehicles |archive-date=19 July 2011 |title=Plug-in and Electrical Vehicles |publisher=EnergyMap.dk |access-date=10 October 2009}}</ref> The country is a member nation of the [[International Renewable Energy Agency]] (IRENA).<ref name="IRENAstates">{{cite news|title=Global support for International Renewable Energy Agency growing fast|url=http://www.irena.org/Menu/index.aspx?PriMenuID=13&mnu=Pri|date=10 September 2014|access-date=10 September 2014|publisher=IRENA|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924015929/http://www.irena.org/menu/index.aspx?mnu=Pri&PriMenuID=13|archive-date=24 September 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Denmark exported roughly 460 million [[Gigajoule|GJ]] of energy in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dst.dk/da/Statistik/emner/geografi-miljoe-og-energi/groent-nationalregnskab/energi-og-emissioner|title=Energi og emissioner|website=www.dst.dk|language=da|access-date=12 April 2020|archive-date=12 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412122714/https://www.dst.dk/da/Statistik/emner/geografi-miljoe-og-energi/groent-nationalregnskab/energi-og-emissioner|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Transport ===
{{Main|Transport in Denmark}}
{{See also|Transport in the Faroe Islands|Transport in Greenland}}
[[File:Denmark passenger and freight railway network.png|thumb|Denmark railway network]]
[[File:Copenhagen airport from air.jpg|thumb|[[Copenhagen Airport]] is the largest airport in Scandinavia and the [[List of the busiest airports in Europe|15th-busiest in Europe]]<ref name="cph" />]]
Significant investment has been made in building road and rail links between regions in Denmark, most notably the [[Great Belt Fixed Link]], which connects [[Zealand]] and [[Funen]]. It is now possible to drive from [[Frederikshavn]] in northern [[Jutland]] to [[Copenhagen]] on eastern Zealand without leaving the motorway. The main railway operator is [[DSB (railway company)|DSB]] for passenger services and [[DB Cargo]] for freight trains. The railway tracks are maintained by [[Banedanmark]]. The North Sea and the Baltic Sea are intertwined by various, international ferry links. Construction of the [[Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link]], connecting Denmark and Germany with a second link, Started in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Menteth|first=Thames|date=13 May 2022|title=Construction of Fehmarnbelt tunnel portal begins in Denmark|url=https://www.geplus.co.uk/news/construction-of-fehmarnbelt-tunnel-portal-begins-in-denmark-13-05-2022/|access-date=4 December 2022|website=Ground Engineering (GE)|language=en|archive-date=19 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519023729/https://www.geplus.co.uk/news/construction-of-fehmarnbelt-tunnel-portal-begins-in-denmark-13-05-2022/|url-status=live}}</ref> Copenhagen has a [[rapid transit]] system, the [[Copenhagen Metro]], and an extensive electrified suburban railway network, the [[S-train]]. In the four largest cities – [[Copenhagen]], [[Aarhus]], [[Odense]], [[Aalborg]] – [[light rail]] systems are planned to be in operation around 2020.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ring 3 summary report |url=http://www.ringtre.dk/fileadmin/filer/freesites/ringtre/filer/Letbane/Dokumenter/Resume_UK_final03.pdf |access-date=12 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413131909/http://www.ringtre.dk/fileadmin/filer/freesites/ringtre/filer/Letbane/Dokumenter/Resume_UK_final03.pdf |archive-date=13 April 2014 }}</ref>

[[Cycling in Denmark]] is a very common form of transport, particularly for the young and for city dwellers. With a network of bicycle routes extending more than 12,000&nbsp;km<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitdenmark.dk/danmark/da-dk/menu/turist/inspiration/aktivferie/cykel/cykel-ruter-og-regioner.htm |title=Cykelruter og regioner |publisher=Visitdenmark.com |language=da |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315171238/http://www.visitdenmark.dk/danmark/da-dk/menu/turist/inspiration/aktivferie/cykel/cykel-ruter-og-regioner.htm |archive-date=15 March 2012 }}</ref> and an estimated 7,000&nbsp;km<ref name="vcta">{{cite web |url=http://www.vcta.dk/OmVCTA.aspx |title=Vi cykler til arbejde 2011 |access-date=16 August 2011 |publisher=[[Dansk Cyklist Forbund]] |language=da |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724113337/http://www.vcta.dk/OmVCTA.aspx |archive-date=24 July 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref> of [[Segregated cycle facilities|segregated dedicated bicycle paths and lanes]], Denmark has a solid [[cycling infrastructure|bicycle infrastructure]].

Private vehicles are increasingly used as a means of transport. Because of the [[car taxation|high registration tax]] (150%), [[VAT]] (25%), and one of the world's highest income tax rates, new cars are very expensive. The purpose of the tax is to discourage car ownership.
In 2007, an attempt was made by the government to favour environmentally friendly cars by slightly reducing taxes on high mileage vehicles. However, this has had little effect, and in 2008 Denmark experienced an increase in the import of fuel inefficient old cars,<ref>{{cite news |title=Tyske miljøzoner sender gamle biler til Danmark |date=9 January 2009 |url=http://politiken.dk/indland/ECE626918/tyske-miljoezoner-sender-gamle-biler-til-danmark/ |work=Politiken.dk |access-date=29 November 2010 |language=da |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430200435/http://politiken.dk/indland/ECE626918/tyske-miljoezoner-sender-gamle-biler-til-danmark/ |archive-date=30 April 2011 |url-status=live  }}</ref> as the cost for older cars—including taxes—keeps them within the budget of many Danes.
{{As of|2011}}, the average car age is 9.2 years.<ref>{{cite book |chapter=Transport |title=Statistical Yearbook 2012 |publisher=dst.dk |chapter-url=http://www.dst.dk/pukora/epub/upload/16251/13tra.pdf |access-date=3 September 2012 |archive-date=19 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519023727/http://www.dst.dk/pukora/epub/upload/16251/13tra.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

With Norway and Sweden, Denmark is part of the [[Scandinavian Airlines]] [[flag carrier]]. [[Copenhagen Airport]] is Scandinavia's busiest passenger airport, handling almost 30 million passengers in 2024.<ref name="cph">{{cite web |title=Group Annual Report 2024 |url=https://www.cph.dk/494193/globalassets/8.-om-cph/04_investor/arsrapporter/2024/copenhagen_airports_as_group_annual_report_2024.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616072050/http://www.cph.dk/globalassets/om-cph/investor/publikationer/arsraporter_uk/cph_uk_ar_report_2015_03_18_final.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2015 |access-date=27 March 2025 |website=cph.dk |publisher=Copenhagen Airports A/S}}</ref> Other notable airports are [[Billund Airport]], [[Aalborg Airport]], and [[Aarhus Airport]].