Abortion rights; Career gap; Hearing crisis
Last Week in Denmark (20.04-27.04) Episode 16 Year 5
TOP 3 News
Abortion rights expanded: limit raised to 18 weeks and self-consent age lowered to 15.
Motherhood still stalls careers, with far fewer mothers than fathers returning to full-time work in the two years following birth.
Experts call for national hearing guidelines as tinnitus among youth has more than doubled since 2010.
Illustration made by Diana Bălașa
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State of the referral competition
TOP 10 as of 27.04.2025
Milena Giunti (42) 2. Janar de Lima (5) 3. Golam Sadman (4) 4. Ramanjaneyulu Ravipati (3) 5. Vojta Mastalir (3) 6. malu (3) 7. Steph Fuccio (3) 8. Sławomira Podwojska (2) 9. Doruk Kavraz (2)
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We hope that more people will participate in the next weeks of the competition, as we have had a slow start so far. Remember that the top four will earn cash prizes, while those in 5th-10th place will get awesome merch. Read more about the competition here.
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Images of the week
🌼 Denmark wrapped in yellow. Across the country, fields of bright rapeseed flowers are turning the landscape into a sea of gold. Thanks to sunny days and warm weather, the rapeseed bloom is earlier and more vibrant than usual. See the stunning images here.
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Danish Politics HQ
New laws
🧬 Denmark expands abortion rights. Parliament has voted to raise the abortion limit from 12 to 18 weeks and to allow 15–17-year-olds to decide without parental consent. The law passed with 74 votes for and 29 against. A new national abortion board will replace regional committees. The government calls it a win for bodily autonomy and women's rights.
Law proposals
👶 Staying home with your sick child? A citizen proposal to let parents stay home and care for sick children until they recover has exploded in popularity, reaching 50,000 signatures in just three days. Several parties, including Alternativet (Greens), Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance), and SF (Socialists), support the idea, inspired by Sweden’s VAB system, where parents can get 80% salary compensation. Venstre (Liberals), Moderaterne (Social Liberals), and Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) are open to talks but worry about the billion DKK price tag and prefer to keep such matters in labor agreements rather than legislate them.
⚡ Moderaterne wants to lift Denmark’s nuclear ban. Since 1985, nuclear energy has been illegal in Denmark, but Moderaterne now wants to scrap the ban. They say it is time to let nuclear power compete with solar, wind, and biogas, even though they believe renewables are still the future. Other right-leaning parties also support ending the ban, but Socialdemokratiet remains firmly against nuclear energy.
🏫 Emergency training in Danish schools? Socialdemokratiet wants to introduce emergency preparedness as an elective subject for older students starting next school year. The idea is to teach skills like firefighting, first aid, and cyberattack handling to make the population more resilient. Danish emergency services support the plan, and the responsible minister agrees that kids need tools to handle today’s security threats without fear.
Read our article about Denmark’s growing culture of preparedness.
Political scene
💸 Who pays for Denmark’s defense boost? A bigger military bill is coming, possibly 30 billion+ DKK more per year, as NATO signals higher spending targets. But 52% say no to tax hikes, and politicians are split. The government hasn’t picked a funding model yet, as they are waiting for the final NATO demands. SF (Socialists) wants to implement higher taxes on the wealthy and proposes rolling back tax cuts to protect welfare. Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservatives) says absolutely not; they’d rather cut unemployment benefits, DR funding, and integration projects. The big question remains: who’s footing the bill for safety, and at what political cost?
🪖 More boots, more brigades. Denmark’s military is getting a major boost. A new army plan will add 5,000 permanent positions by 2033, bringing the total force to over 28,000. Bornholm will get its own regiment, and the number of conscripts will rise from 4,679 to 6,500. Jobs are spread across all regions. The aim is to be able to quickly deploy heavy brigades and reinforce Denmark’s defense. The minister is open to raising soldier salaries but also points to better gear and facilities as key to recruitment.
Could your business become a supplier to the Danish military? Read our article.
🌊 A storm is coming, and we're not ready. Denmark could face up to 282 billion DKK in damages from future storm surges if we don’t act fast. A new DTU report shows that up to 245,000 people may be affected in the next century. Despite knowing where and how to protect people and buildings, the government has moved too slowly, critics say. The climate minister admits past failures but promises a stronger plan this summer. Locals may also need to give up sea views for higher dikes.
🎩 Double duty dilemma. Pressure is mounting on Søren Gade, Speaker of Parliament, over his paid side job as chairman of Esbjerg Harbour. A new multi-party proposal aims to ban future speakers from holding paid outside positions to avoid conflicts of interest, especially now that ports are competing for multi-billion DKK naval contracts. Gade, who earns over 1.7 million DKK yearly as Speaker and 300,000 DKK from the harbor, remains silent.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
📈 Still growing strong. Denmark hit another jobs record in February 2025 with more than 3.046 million people employed, an increase of 2,400 from the month before. Employment has grown by 33,100 since last year, driven mostly by the private sector. Despite a slight increase in unemployment in March (500 more full-time jobseekers), the jobless rate remains low at 2.9%.
📉 We lose confidence despite a solid economy. Consumer confidence in Denmark has dropped to its lowest since 1980, with many worried about the future, especially due to global tensions and trade threats from Donald Trump. A new survey shows pessimism about the national economy for this coming year, hitting record lows, even though key indicators like employment, inflation, and growth remain strong. Experts say the mood is more about fear than fact, and while some may spend less, rising wages are helping maintain purchasing power.
👶 Motherhood still hits women’s careers harder. A new analysis by Dansk Industri shows that two years after having their first child, only 49% of mothers are back to full-time work compared to 83% of fathers. This gap hasn’t changed much in a decade. The result? Lower earnings, slower career growth, and reduced pensions for women. The study doesn’t yet reflect the impact of the 2022 parental leave reform, but it highlights how deeply family decisions still shape gender inequality in the job market.
State of the markets
⚓ Denmark’s warship comeback. The government has announced plans to build a fleet of larger warships at home, triggering a billion DKK battle between Esbjerg, Odense, Skagen, and Frederikshavn. The goal? To rebuild Denmark’s naval industry and strengthen defense production. Critics worry about delays and costs, but supporters say building locally boosts jobs and ensures faster delivery. The first ships are expected by 2029.
🛡️ 4 billion DKK naval upgrade. A new defense deal boosts maritime security with 21 new Home Guard ships, four environmental and mine-laying vessels, and a high-tech surveillance ship to protect undersea infrastructure. The push is largely driven by fears of Russian sabotage in case of conflict. The package includes a return to coastal missile batteries and sensor cables on the seabed to detect threats.
🎓 We’re setting records in the EU PhD boom. Danish universities and companies are taking part in 52 new European PhD programs under the EU’s Doctoral Networks scheme, 12 of them led by Danish institutions. That’s a record, along with 260 million DKK in EU funding. DTU alone leads nine programs. The initiative boosts cross-border research and talent attraction. With a 14.18% success rate (above the EU average), Denmark now ranks fifth in Europe, just behind Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK.
💊 Denmark signs life science pact with Japan. In Tokyo, the Danish business minister and Japan’s economy minister signed a new agreement to boost public-private partnerships in life science. The sector is one of Denmark’s top exports, with hopes of reaching 350 billion DKK by 2030.
🐟 Denmark secures fish deal with China. During a trade mission in China, the Danish food minister signed three new agreements to boost exports of horse feed, malt barley, and wild-caught fish. The fish deal is a game changer: instead of species-by-species approval, all wild-caught fish from Denmark and Greenland now get market access at once. Fish and seafood have overtaken pork as Denmark’s top food export to China, making up 35% of the total.
Entrepreneurship
🌱 If you dream of starting your own business in Denmark, a new 6-week free online incubator could be your perfect launchpad. Running from May 8 to June 12, 2025, the program offers weekly English-language sessions (with Ukrainian support) to help you build a business model, master finances, understand permits, find funding, prepare investor pitches, and create a strong pricing strategy. Sign up here. (Use Google Translate to sign up; the sessions will be in English, so you can follow them).
Danish Daily Life HQ
🎧 Time for healthy listening habits? Experts and politicians want national guidelines to protect our hearing, just like we have for fruit, alcohol, and exercise. Why? Because tinnitus cases among young people have more than doubled since 2010. One in ten aged 16 to 24 now reports symptoms. With screens and headphones everywhere, hearing loss is becoming a hidden epidemic. Organizations like Høreforeningen are pushing for campaigns, school materials, and official advice.
👟 No shoes, less noise. At Tollundskolen in Silkeborg, students and teachers swap their outdoor shoes for slippers or sandals as soon as they enter the building. The school is officially shoe-free, and leadership says it works: fewer distractions, cleaner floors, and a calmer learning environment. Even furniture is chosen for low noise, like wheeled desks and recycled plastic chairs.
🥩 How much meat is too much? According to new research from DTU, just 255g of white meat per week is the global limit for sustainable and healthy eating. Red meat like beef and lamb? Off the menu, if we want to stay within the planet’s limits. The average person in Denmark eats almost four times more than the recommended amount. Researchers hope these specific numbers can help people understand what a climate-friendly diet looks like.
📱 Parents tracking kids? Six out of ten children say their parents can see their location via apps like Find, Snapchat, or iSharing. For many families, it's about safety and logistics, knowing if your child made it home or caught the wrong bus. But child welfare experts warn it can harm independence and privacy. Some kids even admit to lying about where they are. While most children in a recent DR segment felt safer knowing their parents could find them, Børns Vilkår urges families to practice trust for the sake of both kids and parents.
🧨 Incel culture on the rise. A new study shows a huge surge in users on international incel forums, some growing by over 900% since 2020. These online communities promote extreme misogyny and a belief that women owe men sex. Most members are young men, often feeling rejected and isolated. Experts warn that social media spreads incel ideas subtly through viral content and slang like “looksmaxxing” and “red pill.” Danish authorities now view the radicalized side of this culture as a potential terror threat. The solution? More awareness, early conversations at home, and helping boys navigate rejection, dating, and emotions before extremist influencers do.
🐶 Watch out for heartworm. A dangerous dog disease called French heartworm is spreading fast in Denmark, especially during the warm, wet months when snails thrive. Dogs can get infected by licking or eating snails carrying the parasite. Symptoms like coughing, fatigue, stomach issues, and even behavior changes often appear months after infection, making it hard to catch early. If untreated, it can lead to lung damage, internal bleeding, or even death.
International Community HQ
The current unstable situation in Türkiye by Zehra Göknaz Engin (We are highlighting this column in the newsletter, as the Turkish community in Denmark is affected by this situation).
Since March 19, Türkiye has seen political and social unrest sparked by the annulment of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu’s university diploma, a move widely perceived as politically motivated, given his role as President Erdoğan’s main rival in the upcoming elections. This development, alongside his earlier unlawful conviction, has drawn criticism over the erosion of judicial independence and democratic norms.
Protests erupted nationwide, leading to the detention of several significant figures from the Istanbul Municipality and dozens of students. Around 57 students remain in custody without formal charges, prompting a widespread class boycott and calls for justice. Protests have expanded across university campuses and even into high schools, where demonstrations show solidarity with university peers, defend democratic values, and defend their teachers, who have been unfairly transferred to other schools.
Unlike previous demonstrations, these protests have risen above political party lines. Although the initial trigger was İmamoğlu’s case, young protesters have highlighted their commitment to the founding principles of Türkiye and its founder Atatürk’s legacy and distanced themselves from partisan affiliations. Humor and symbolism have become key elements of the movement, exemplified by the viral image of a protester dressed as Pikachu dodging police in Antalya.
The unrest has impacted cultural life as well, with artists like Ane Brun, Trevor Noah, and Muse cancelling concerts in Türkiye after their organizer, who is linked to the government, was boycotted for insulting protesters and alleged tax evasion. International support for İmamoğlu, especially from European mayors, continues to grow, framing his case as a test of Türkiye’s commitment to democracy. As political tensions mount and civil liberties come under threat, the student-led, non-partisan protest movement is emerging as a powerful and innovative model of democratic resistance in the face of authoritarian pressure.
New reporting
If you use social media, you’ll know that there’s a wealth of international content creators using the platforms to document life in Denmark. But what motivates internationals here to do this, why do they think so many people follow them, and can you really build a sustainable career from influencing? Daisy Zeijlon talks to three of Denmark’s biggest international influencers to find out.
Our latest “How to…” guide is about getting a mortgage in Denmark. Sandani Gunawardane has all you need to know.
Konfirmation season is under way in Denmark! In a guest post, Sigga Hansen, founder of online language school Lingua Danica, delves into this particularly Danish rite of passage.
Lingua Danica is offering LWID readers a 500 DKK discount on all Lingua Danica courses. Go to https://www.linguadanica.com/collaborators-store-page and use the code LASTWEEK to claim.
To celebrate reaching over 100 original articles published, each week we’re revisiting a popular recent story you might have missed:
Many internationals across the country are currently preparing to sit their citizenship exam, which takes place in June. Earlier this month, Ahmet Akkoç wrote this indispensable guide to the exams.
New columns
Denmark’s food culture is world-renowned, for good reason! Stephanie Makison’s popular “How to Live Like a Local” column is taking a closer look, starting with what Danes keep in their fridges!
And Laura Matheson is back with another installment of Tur-Retur, this week looking at “culture catch-up.” Feeling part of the culture is vital to belonging, but as an international, especially if you’ve lived in lots of countries, this can get tricky!
Did you know that Last Week in Denmark now offers the opportunity for sponsored content? If you have a business our readers should know about, let us write about it – support us while we help you! Get in touch with us here.
What does this kind of sponsored content look like? Here’s a recent example, about Mood Studio in Silkeborg.
And if you have a news or features article you think we should write about, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at reporter@lwid.dk
Announcement Board
Live in the Vejle area of Jutland? The city is a thriving, vibrant place for internationals, coordinated by Newcomer Services lead Louise Nielsen. Find out about international events in May here.
Esbjerg, May 18, 11:00 - Join World Cultures Day, a celebration of diversity and community! Engage in interactive workshops, participate in collaborative art and writing projects, and try a variety of savory and sweet dishes from world kitchens. Enjoy live music, explore crafts and art forms from different cultures, and discover the common threads that unite our different cultures.
International media about Denmark
Live like a Dane: lessons from one of the happiest places on Earth (Guardian)
The wholegrain revolution! How Denmark changed the diet – and health – of their entire nation (Guardian)
The record-breaking tunnel being built from Denmark to Germany (BBC)