Denmark: crime and justice

How many crimes are reported in Denmark?

448,740 criminal offences were reported to the police in Denmark in 2025, according to Statistics Denmark. Charges were laid in 155,398 of these cases.

The figures cover offences against the Criminal Code and special laws (excluding those in the Road Traffic Act) reported to the police, and depend on how many crimes people report. Not every report leads to a charge. Statistics Denmark publishes the figures quarterly and by type of offence and region, using data from the police.

Official sources: Statistics Denmark: reported criminal offences

How many people are arrested in Denmark?

Police in Denmark made 27,140 arrests of men and 3,499 arrests of women in 2025, according to Statistics Denmark.

An arrest does not in itself mean that the person is later charged or convicted. Statistics Denmark also publishes figures on other types of detention. In the same year, 448,740 criminal offences were reported to the police.

Official sources: Statistics Denmark: detention · Statistics Denmark: reported criminal offences

What is the murder rate in Denmark?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the intentional homicide rate in Denmark at 0.8 per 100,000 in 2023. Its high point since 2010 was 2014, at 1.3 per 100,000; its low point was 2021, at 0.6 per 100,000. Europe & Central Asia median: 1.0 per 100,000; Denmark is 21st highest of 35. Worldwide: 59th of 79.

How many women are murdered in Denmark?

In 2023, the homicide rate for women in Denmark was 0.6 per 100,000, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Its high point since 2005 was 2014, at 1.1 per 100,000; its low point was 2006, at 0.4 per 100,000. It is 25th highest of 36 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 0.7 per 100,000. World rank, highest first: 60th of 78.

What is the male homicide rate in Denmark?

1.1 per 100,000: that is the homicide rate for men in Denmark for 2023, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. Since 2005 it has ranged from 0.7 per 100,000 (2006) to 1.8 per 100,000 (2017). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 1.3 per 100,000, and Denmark placed 23rd highest of 36. Worldwide: 60th of 78.