Every ninth Dane has immigrant background

Some 22.3 percent of 29-year-old Danes are immigrants or their descendants

The percentage of immigrants and their descendants in Denmark continues to rise, according to the latest population figures from Danmarks Statistik.

At the beginning of 2014, 11.1 percent – one in nine – of the Danish population were immigrants or descendants of immigrants – a figure that is expected to rise to 17.6 percent by 2050.

“It is particularly the descendants’ share that is rising quickly,” Danmarks Statistik wrote.

“Their share will more than double by 2050 from 2.7 percent now to 6.1 percent. Concerning the number of persons, it will be the descendants of non-western immigrants who will increase the most.”

READ MORE: Immigration outpaces new births

Narrowing gap
In some age groups, immigrants and their descendants make up more than the average. Among 21 to 37-year-olds, they make up 15 percent, while they make up 22.3 percent among  29-year-olds.

And the gap between ethnic and non-ethnic Danes will continue to narrow. In 25 years the number of ethnic Danes aged 16-64 will shrink by 346,000 people, while the number of immigrants and their descendants is expected to increase by 243,000.

“Today, 13 percent of the 16 to 64-year-olds are immigrants or descendants. That number will rise to 21 percent in 25 years,” Danmarks Statistik wrote.

In total, the Danish population consists of 5,627,000 people today, but that will increase by 10 percent by 2050, according to the statistics keepers.




  • Greenland, Danish life science, and the future of US-Danish relations

    Greenland, Danish life science, and the future of US-Danish relations

    The US is the biggest market for the Danish life science industry, the country’s currently most important. Despite the situation, Denmark is not alone. There is also room for compromise, and promises of such jobs and additional investments are likely to at least reduce the tensions in US-Danish trade relations.

  • The internationals who created an app to make friends in Denmark  

    The internationals who created an app to make friends in Denmark  

    A team of young internationals has created an app that is helping their peers connect and build friendships in Denmark, addressing the challenges of social integration.

  • New documentary stirs debate in Denmark and Greenland 

    New documentary stirs debate in Denmark and Greenland 

    The documentary Greenland’s White Gold, reveals the worth of cryolite mining in Greenland to be in the billions. Over the years its value has been undermined, despite it acting like a gold mine for the Danish state. 

  • Today is 10 years from Copenhagen terrorist attack

    Today is 10 years from Copenhagen terrorist attack

    On February 14 and 15, the last terrorist attack took place in Denmark. Another episode occurred in 2022, but in that case, there was no political motive behind it

  • Enter Christiania: how the Freetown works

    Enter Christiania: how the Freetown works

    We all know Christiania and have been there at least once. But how does the Freetown work? How are decisions made? Can a person move there? Is there rent or bills to pay? British journalist Dave Wood wrote a reportage on Christiania for The Copenhagen Post.

  • The struggles of Asian women in Denmark’s labour market

    The struggles of Asian women in Denmark’s labour market

    Isha Thapa unfolds her research “An Analysis on the Inclusivity and Integration of South Asian Women in High-Skilled Jobs within the Danish Labor Market”. Thapa describes the systemic and social challenges these women face, ranging from barriers in social capital to cultural integration.