Kobenhavn: population and official figures
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Kobenhavn: In 2024 the average resident of Copenhagen aged 15+ had DKK 295,836 to spend after tax, 2nd highest of 7 large municipalities covered here and above the national figure of DKK 287,682, up 41% from DKK 209,991 in 2015.
- Health in Kobenhavn: Hospitals treated 42.6% of the population of Copenhagen in 2025, 2nd lowest of 7 large municipalities covered here and below the national figure of 48.4%, down from 43.1% in 2017.
- Education in Kobenhavn: In 2025, 66.8% of 25-64 year-olds in the municipality of Copenhagen held a higher education degree (2nd highest of 7 large municipalities covered here; Denmark: 46.9%), up from 55.0% in 2015.
- Poverty and living standards in Kobenhavn: 3.1% of people aged 15 and over in Copenhagen received cash benefits (kontanthjælp), the means-tested social assistance, at some point in 2025, level with the national figure; that is 2nd lowest of 7 large municipalities covered here, down from 7.3% in 2015.
What is the population of Kobenhavn?
Kobenhavn, the capital of Denmark, had 638,790 inhabitants (city proper) on 1 July 2021, according to an official estimate (usual residents) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Kobenhavn rank among cities in Denmark?
Of the 7 cities the UN table lists for Denmark (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is the largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Kobenhavn?
Women and girls made up 50.7% of residents (323,633 female, 315,157 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow big is Kobenhavn?
It covers 90 km², about 7,090 people per km².
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyNotes from the UN table: Population statistics are compiled from registers. Population statistics are compiled from registers. Population statistics are compiled from registers.
Who runs Kobenhavn?
In Denmark, cities and towns are run by municipalities: Municipal council elected every four years; council elects the mayor (borgmester) from its members. Schools, childcare, elderly care, social services, job centres, local roads, planning. They set local income tax rates.
How local power works in Denmark
Cities of a similar size in Denmark
Up a level: all cities in Denmark · Denmark · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- Statistics Denmark (Danmarks Statistik): Hospital utilisation in the population by municipality, hospital stays, age and sex (StatBank table SBR01), 2017-2025, read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c9ba6dfacefd…)
- Statistics Denmark (Danmarks Statistik): Educational attainment of 15-69 year-olds by region and municipality, highest education completed, age and sex (StatBank table HFUDD11), 2015-2025, read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9d33b2e294ed…)
- Statistics Denmark (Danmarks Statistik): Income of persons by province and municipality, sex and type of income (StatBank table INDKP101), 2015-2025, read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6677ce260d4f…)
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