Denmark: public finances

Does Denmark have a budget deficit?

Denmark's general government had a surplus of 2.9% of GDP in 2025, according to Statistics Denmark. This EMU balance is the measure used by the European Commission under the Excessive Deficit Procedure.

A positive balance means government revenue was higher than spending. The EMU balance covers central government, regions, municipalities and social security funds, using EU accounting rules. It can differ from the state budget balance prepared by the Ministry of Finance.

Official sources: Statistics Denmark: EMU debt and EMU balance

What is Denmark's national debt?

Denmark's EMU debt was 27.9% of GDP at the end of 2025, according to Statistics Denmark. EMU debt is the gross debt of general government measured under EU rules.

The EU reference value for government debt is 60% of GDP. EMU debt is gross, so it does not subtract the financial assets the government holds. Statistics Denmark publishes it once a year with the EMU balance, and quarterly in StatBank table EDP5.

Official sources: Statistics Denmark: EMU debt and EMU balance

What is Denmark's national debt?

In 2025, general government gross debt in Denmark was 27.4% of GDP, according to the IMF. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 46.9% of GDP; Denmark is 42nd highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 161st of 185.

What is Denmark's budget deficit?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 2.9% of GDP. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 5.3% of GDP; its low point was 2012, at -3.2% of GDP. Europe & Central Asia median: -2.4% of GDP; Denmark is 4th highest of 51. Worldwide: 17th of 188.

How much revenue does Denmark's government raise?

50.1% of GDP: that is general government revenue in Denmark for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 48.5% of GDP (2022) to 56.5% of GDP (2014). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 41.3% of GDP, and Denmark placed 6th highest of 50. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 16th highest.

What is Denmark's government spending?

The IMF puts general government spending in Denmark at 47.2% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 57.9% of GDP in 2012 and the low 45.1% of GDP in 2022. It is 17th highest of 50 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 43.3% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 29th of 186.

What is Denmark's tax to GDP ratio?

According to the IMF, central government tax revenue in Denmark was 33.4% of GDP in 2024. The peak was 36.6% of GDP in 2014 and the low 30.7% of GDP in 2022. It is 1st highest of 42 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 20.8% of GDP. Worldwide: 3rd of 92.

What is Denmark's military budget as a share of GDP?

The latest figure from SIPRI, for 2025, is 3.3% of GDP. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 2.0% of GDP; Denmark is 9th highest of 46. Worldwide: 19th of 149.