News

More people leaving the Church of Denmark

For the first half of 2022, over 5,800 people have signed out – a 23 percent increase compared to the same period last year

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.

TOP STORIES

  • Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    In the internal Danish waters, Russia will be able to attack underwater infrastructure from all types of vessels. The target could be cables with data, electricity and gas, assesses the Danish Defense Intelligence Service

  • Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    A few weeks after Alex Vanopslagh’s comments about “right values,” the government announced that an expert committee would be established to examine the feasibility of screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic attitudes.

  • The Future Copenhagen

    The Future Copenhagen

    The municipality plan encompasses building 40,000 houses by 2036 in order to help drive real estate prices down. But this is not the only huge project that will change the shape of the city: Lynetteholmen, M5 metro line, the Eastern Ring Road, and Jernbanebyen will transform Copenhagen into something different from what we know today

  • It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    It’s not you: winter depression is affecting many people

    Many people in Denmark are facing hard times marked by sadness, anxiety, and apathy. It’s called winter depression, and it’s a widespread phenomenon during the cold months in Nordic countries.

  • Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime rates are rising, but people are safer

    Crime in Denmark is increasing for the second consecutive year, but it is more focused on property, while people appear to be safer than before. Over the past year, there were fewer incidents of violence

  • Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Novo Nordisk invests 8.5 billion DKK in new Odense facility

    Despite Novo’s announcement that its growth abroad will be larger than in Denmark, the company announced this morning an 8.5 billion DKK investment for a new facility in Odense. This is the first time the company has established a new production site in Denmark this century.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs