Poverty and living standards in Kobenhavn, Denmark: official figures
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.
How many people get housing benefit in Copenhagen?
In 2025, 12.6% of adults in the municipality of Copenhagen received housing benefit to help with rent, 2nd lowest of 7 large municipalities covered here.
Source: Statistics Denmark (Danmarks Statistik) · saved copyHow many people are unemployed in Copenhagen?
Unemployment benefit (dagpenge) went to 6.9% of adults in the municipality of Copenhagen during 2025 (the highest of 7 large municipalities covered here; national figure 4.6%).
Source: Statistics Denmark (Danmarks Statistik) · saved copyHow many people live on benefits in Copenhagen?
Public transfers accounted for 11.8% of residents' total income in the municipality of Copenhagen in 2025, 2nd lowest of 7 large municipalities covered here (Denmark: 16.7%).
Source: Statistics Denmark (Danmarks Statistik) · saved copyHow many pensioners live in Copenhagen?
In 2025 the state old-age and disability pensions were paid to 14.7% of adults in the municipality of Copenhagen, the lowest of 7 large municipalities covered here.
Source: Statistics Denmark (Danmarks Statistik) · saved copyHow Kobenhavn compares with other cities in Denmark
Share of people aged 15+ receiving cash benefits (kontanthjælp) during the year (%) (2025)
Kobenhavn ranks 6 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | City | Share of people aged 15+ receiving cash benefits (kontanthjælp) during the year (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ålborg | 4.5% |
| 2 | Odense | 4.0% |
| 3 | Århus | 3.5% |
| 4 | Vejle | 3.3% |
| 5 | Esbjerg | 3.2% |
| 6 | Kobenhavn | 3.1% |
| 7 | Frederiksberg | 2.6% |
Share of people aged 15+ receiving housing benefit (%) (2025)
Kobenhavn ranks 6 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | City | Share of people aged 15+ receiving housing benefit (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ålborg | 21.2% |
| 2 | Århus | 20.6% |
| 3 | Odense | 20.5% |
| 4 | Esbjerg | 15.8% |
| 5 | Vejle | 14.2% |
| 6 | Kobenhavn | 12.6% |
| 7 | Frederiksberg | 12.4% |
Share of people aged 15+ receiving unemployment benefit during the year (%) (2025)
Kobenhavn ranks 1 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | City | Share of people aged 15+ receiving unemployment benefit during the year (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kobenhavn | 6.9% |
| 2 | Århus | 6.2% |
| 3 | Odense | 5.9% |
| 4 | Ålborg | 5.8% |
| 5 | Frederiksberg | 5.7% |
| 6 | Vejle | 4.3% |
| 7 | Esbjerg | 4.2% |
Public transfer income as a share of total pre-tax income (%) (2025)
Kobenhavn ranks 6 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | City | Public transfer income as a share of total pre-tax income (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Odense | 20.0% |
| 2 | Esbjerg | 19.3% |
| 3 | Ålborg | 18.3% |
| 4 | Århus | 16.8% |
| 5 | Vejle | 16.1% |
| 6 | Kobenhavn | 11.8% |
| 7 | Frederiksberg | 11.1% |
More on Kobenhavn: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · all cities in Denmark
Sources
- 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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