In 2021 the Church of Denmark registered the lowest number of people leaving in 15 years. 

But the tide has once again turned across the nation.

During the first half of 2022, 5,824 people registered to leave the church so far this year –  a 23 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

READ ALSO: Church minister keen to follow up on DR study that revealed toxic working environments in Danish churches

Pinching pennies now
The trend had actually been marching in the opposite direction in recent years. 

In 2016, some 25,000 people left the church, while that figure fell to about 15,000 in 2017. 

Ole Rasmussen, a provost in Lemvig, contended there could be several reasons for the exodus. 

“It could be down to finances or whether one disagrees with the basis of the idea,” he told DR Nyheder.

In Denmark, you automatically become a member of the church when you are christened and members pay a church tax – an amount that is dependent on your income.

The church hit the news recently following an exposé that shed light on toxic work environments existing in churches in Denmark.