Life expectancy of socially-vulnerable increasing biennially by a year since 2009 – report

Both local and drug-related initiatives have certainly played a part in preventing premature deaths

Danish welfare is often lauded as some of the best in the world; the country has a reputation for looking after its own – particularly the vulnerable.

As far as the authorities are concerned, they are ‘socially-disadvantaged’, not simply homeless – even though the definition identifies somebody who is a regular user of shelters, hostels, care homes, hothouses, night cafes, and housing offers.

It’s a sign of respect and indication of how much investment they have in their well-being.

So it’s with great joy that the Danish system can celebrate a seven-year leap in the life expectancy of a ‘socially-disadvantaged’ person, from 57 to 64, since 2009, according to figures released by Statens Institut for Folkesundhed. 

Catching up, but still a long way short
Nevertheless, the life expectancy is still 17 years short of the age the general population can hope to live until: 81 – an increase of two years since 2009.

“It indicates that someone is doing something right, but it is still an insanely high difference in life expectancy,” commented Kira West, the chair of Rådet for Socialt Udsatte, the council for socially-vulnerable people, to DR.

West contends that ‘socially-disadvantaged’ people need better access to healthcare, as they only tend to be hospitalised once they have become extremely ill – and often it can be too late to save them.

“The socially disadvantaged die of diseases that the rest of us can easily live with or be cured of,” she said.

More initiatives: both local and drug-related
One area in which the authorities have seen a lot of progress is protecting socially-vulnerable people from dying prematurely from drug overdoses.

Since the introduction of mobile drug injection rooms (‘fixerum’) just over a decade ago, fatalities are rarely heard of. A sample taken in Copenhagen, Odense and Aarhus between 2012 and 2015 revealed 301 overdoses but not one single death.

Meanwhile, a great many hospitals are introducing their own initiatives to help socially-vulnerable people in their catchment areas.

For example, Bispebjerg Hospital opened a flex clinic in January that welcomes patients who do not have a GP or MitID.

READ MORE: Freeing up a room to the homeless youth of Copenhagen




  • “We’re ready to spend even more than 4% of the GPD” says Minister of Defense

    “We’re ready to spend even more than 4% of the GPD” says Minister of Defense

    At the Copenhagen Democracy Summit 2025, Danish Minister of Defense Troels Lund Poulsen emphasized Denmark’s commitment to strengthening its defense investment. In a conference on European security and defense of Ukraine, he stated that Denmark is “ready to spend even more than 4% of its GDP”, surpassing the original target set by the European Union

  • ReDI school wins Danish Diversity Award for empowering marginalized women in tech

    ReDI school wins Danish Diversity Award for empowering marginalized women in tech

    A non-profit tech school in Denmark is recognized for helping migrant women secure jobs aligned with their qualifications through digital training and networking.

  • Danish bravery in the Nanjing Massacre

    Danish bravery in the Nanjing Massacre

    Bernhard Sindberg was a Dane who saved thousands of Chinese during the Nanjing Massacre, one of the darkest episodes of the 20th century. He is often compared to Oskar Schindler. A book has told his story, and a statue in Aarhus commemorates him—yet few people know about his remarkable actions. The Copenhagen Post spoke with Sindberg’s niece, who still remembers her uncle well, to shed light on this seldom-told and incredible story

  • More Danes are uncomfortable with English replacing Danish in daily life

    More Danes are uncomfortable with English replacing Danish in daily life

    A survey from NORSTAT, commissioned by Sune Steffen Hansen and published exclusively by The Copenhagen Post, shows that around 40% of the population is uncomfortable with English replacing Danish in their daily lives. While this is not a problem for the younger generation, half of the people in older generations have an issue with it

  • Be a green tourist – get free access to Copenhagen’s attractions

    Be a green tourist – get free access to Copenhagen’s attractions

    CopenPay is back. Last year’s attempt to get guests to take a sustainable approach when visiting Copenhagen’s attractions will be back in 2025, on an even bigger scale. 90 attractions are participating across Copenhagen and running throughout the summer

  • Almost 30,000 young people are out of work and education

    Almost 30,000 young people are out of work and education

    New analysis reveals widespread mental health issues and criminal records among 25–29-year-olds outside employment and education

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