Fewer victims of violence in Denmark

Just over 28,000 victims of violence were registered in 2020, which is a slight decrease compared to the year before

According to new figures from the national statistics keeper Danmark Statistik, 28,186 victims of violence were registered nationwide in 2020.

That’s a 4 percent decline compared to 2019 and it is largely down to a significant decrease in simple violence cases.

Simple violence cases can involve anything from punches and kicks to pushes and more atypical occurrences like mushing a cake into someone’s face.

It is the first time since 2012 that the number of registered victims of violence has declined.

Between 2012 and 2019, theannual figure had increased by 71 percent from 17,200 to 29,300.

READ ALSO: Parliament looking to crack down on psychological violence

Psychological violence, blackmail up
Typically, men make up the  majority of simple violence victims – a development that was again reflected in 2020, as 6,264 men made reports compared to 4,769 women.

Both figures decreased compared to 2019 – by 14 percent for men and 8 percent for women.

Nationally, however, there were increases in other types of violence, including threats, attempted manslaughter, illegal use of force and psychological violence (a new law in 2019 has allowed psychological violence to be registered).

There was also a 44 percent in the number of victims of blackmail in 2020 compared to the previous year.

Check out the figures here (in Danish).




  • Ryanair cancels all flights to and from Billund 

    Ryanair cancels all flights to and from Billund 

    Ryanair has increased its cuts from the Billund-Aalborg route to encompass its entire operation to and from Billund Airport. The airline’s scarce communication is leaving both the airport and passengers scrambling for answers.

  • What do Danes do for “Vinterferie”?

    What do Danes do for “Vinterferie”?

    As tradition has it, many Danes take a week off for Vinterferie next week. Or the week after. It’s a bit confusing, especially since Christmas and New Year’s Holiday are not far away. What’s going on?

  • The educational options for internationals in Denmark

    The educational options for internationals in Denmark

    Denmark offers free public education, but private schools and universities for non-EU students require tuition. Language is a barrier, with international schools available for children and limited English-taught university programs. In 2024, Denmark expanded university seats for internationals and introduced an HF-international program in Aarhus.

  • Aarhus Gymnasium is launching Denmark’s first HF program for internationals

    Aarhus Gymnasium is launching Denmark’s first HF program for internationals

    Aarhus Gymnasium is launching Denmark’s first HF-international program in August, offering young adult internationals an alternative to IB programs with a focus on career-oriented education and Danish language learning. Unlike IB, it reduces academic pressure while providing access to vocational schools and professional bachelor’s degrees

  • Top Danish companies report strong financial performance

    Top Danish companies report strong financial performance

    Some of Denmark’s leading companies reported solid financial results for 2024, with Lundbeck, Demant, and Vestas seeing growth, while Pandora tackled rising production costs with price increases and cost-saving measures.

  • Greenland restricts foreign property purchases and election donations

    Greenland restricts foreign property purchases and election donations

    These days, the Greenlandic institutions are approving two new norms to restrict, reduce, or ban the possibility for foreign citizens to buy real estate on the island, as well as for political parties to receive large amounts of money from foreign donors.