Carbon inequality; Rent crisis; Sleep epidemic
Last Week in Denmark (13.04-20.04) Episode 15 Year 5
TOP 3 News
Society's richest 1% emits 8x more CO2 than the lowest earners. Should they be carbon taxed?
There are now 680k+ rental properties owned by companies - a figure that's tripled in 15 years, alongside rising rent. Could public housing drive down costs?
A silent bedroom epidemic: sleep apnea. More than 400k suffer, lowering quality of life.
Illustration made by Diana Bălașa
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Editor HQ
State of Denmark
It’s Easter. A time of renewal, reflection, and —let’s be honest — a few extra lamb roasts and flights to southern sunshine. So it feels like the right moment to take a closer look at how we live and what it costs.
New numbers dropped this week, and they tell a story that’s hard to ignore: if you want to find Denmark’s biggest climate sinners, look to the top. The richest 1% emit 28 tons of CO₂ per year per person from private consumption. That’s eight times more than people in the lowest income group. And yet, nearly 6 in 10 people underestimate the size of this gap.
Why? Maybe because emissions from imported goods and international flights don’t count in Denmark’s official climate goals. Or maybe because wealth tends to buy invisibility.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about flying first class or living in a big house. It’s about the systemic imbalance where those who consume the most are often the least affected by climate policies. A standard CO₂ tax hits harder at the bottom. But for the wealthy, it’s just the cost of convenience.
Some politicians want to fix that. Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) is pushing for progressive flight taxes that go up the more you travel. Venstre (Liberals) says targeting income groups is “unfair and bureaucratic.” Most parties agree the current system doesn’t fully reflect reality but disagree on what to do next.
And maybe that’s the real problem. We’re trying to solve a global emergency with polite politics. Meanwhile, climate disasters aren’t waiting. From floods in Pakistan to fires in southern Europe, we’re already seeing what happens when emissions become someone else’s problem.
This Easter, while the country slows down to eat, rest, and gather with family, it’s worth asking: who’s paying the environmental bill for the way we live? And are we really okay with the answer?
Because this isn’t about guilt. It’s about fairness. It’s about courage. And maybe, in the spirit of Easter, it’s about choosing to live differently, even if we don’t have to. Yet.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Images of the week
🌸 Spring bloom explosion. Denmark’s dry but sunny spring has brought an early riot of colors to the landscape, with trees, flowers, and plants bursting into life. See the images here.
📸 Gaza boy wins global hearts. This year’s World Press Photo went to Samar Abu Elouf for her powerful portrait of 9-year-old Mahmoud Ajjour, who lost both arms in an airstrike in Gaza. The image, taken after Mahmoud’s relocation to Qatar, captures him learning to use his feet for daily tasks. The jury called it a “thoughtful” photo that challenges dehumanization and media restrictions in the region.
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Aalborg, April 23, 18:00: Join the Romanian movie night with English subtitles. If you ever wondered about the struggles of an average family during the early communist times, this is the movie to watch.
Aalborg, April 25, 17:00: Join our event with AMIS, where we will discuss how we can prepare for crisis, learn about the current security situation in Europe, and enjoy a nice networking event with food and drinks. Participation is free, but you need to sign up.
Read our article Prepping and Preppers in Denmark: A Growing Trend of Preparedness - Last Week in Denmark
Did you know you can read Last Week in Denmark in seven other languages?
Romanian - Polish - Spanish - Turkish - Italian - German - Hungarian
Danish Politics HQ
New laws
👮♂️ Denmark sets up crime prevention commission. A broad political majority has agreed to launch a new commission focused on stopping crime before it starts, especially among children and youth. It will look at early interventions in schools and kindergartens and how family violence or ethnic minority environments affect crime trends. The justice minister says punishment alone won’t reduce crime; prevention is key. The commission, led by economist Torben Tranæs, includes experts from police, social work, psychiatry, and integration. The goal: tackle root causes and stop young people from entering a criminal path.
Political scene
🚁 Danish drone training stirs Russian warnings. Denmark might send soldiers to Ukraine — not to fight, but to learn how Ukraine uses attack drones. Russia’s ambassador calls it a provocation and warns it could lead to “unpredictable consequences,” even threatening that training camps could be targeted. Military leaders stress the soldiers would be unarmed and far from the frontlines, and political parties like Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals) and Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservative) support the idea, saying the war offers crucial lessons for Denmark’s defense. There’s no final decision yet, and the defense minister remains silent.
🛡️ Denmark's 'Plan B' for defense. Liberal Alliance (Liberal Conservative) wants Europe to prepare for a future where the US might not back NATO's Article 5, the core promise of mutual defense. Their proposal? A new alliance including Nordic and Baltic countries, Poland, the UK, and the Netherlands. Not a NATO exit, just a backup. But Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) call it irresponsible, saying the US remains committed to NATO. Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals) already floated the idea of an EU army.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
💸 Interest rate cut. The National Bank lowered its key interest rate to 1.85%, right after the European Central Bank (ECB) made its third rate cut of 2025. The move was widely expected as inflation continues to ease. Experts predict more cuts ahead, especially if inflation stays low. For homeowners with adjustable-rate loans, the change could mean monthly savings of up to 1,000 DKK per million borrowed.
🧠 ADHD and personal assistants. A Frederiksberg influencer sparked a national debate after sharing online that she applied for a publicly funded personal assistant to help manage her ADHD. While she praised the support, critics questioned whether successful entrepreneurs should receive taxpayer-funded help. Supporters argue the right to assistance is based on need, not income, and point out that even high earners pay taxes and deserve access to public services. With ADHD diagnoses rising, some warn the system can't afford to fund assistants for everyone.
💸 Last call for old banknotes. Got a stash of old Danish banknotes or 1,000 DKK bills lying around? You have until May 31, 2025, to hand them in before they lose their value. Despite reminders and campaigns, 4.6 billion DKK worth of outdated cash is still out there. After the deadline, you’ll only be able to exchange them at Nationalbank branches in Aarhus, Odense, or Copenhagen until May 2026.
🏘️ From owners to renters. Around 682,000 people in Denmark now rent homes owned by companies, up from just 246,000 in 2010. Cities like Aarhus and Copenhagen are seeing huge growth in company-owned rentals, often with sky-high rents. Local mayors warn this turns cities into VIP clubs for the wealthy and pushes out families with regular incomes. They’re calling for national reforms to decide what type of housing is built: owner-occupied, rental, or social.
Check the map to see the situation in your municipality.
💸 Renting means no nest egg. A homeowner who buys a 2.4 million DKK house can build approx. 550,000 DKK in wealth in just five years. Renters, on the other hand, just watch their money disappear in monthly payments. Experts warn this growing divide could lead to big differences in pension life quality. Many say owning has never been realistic, especially for single people with normal jobs.
State of the markets
💼 Stress on the rise, but few get compensation. A record 4,000 people reported stress as a work injury in 2023, most of them women. Yet men are more likely to receive financial compensation, even though far fewer report stress in the first place. Experts warn the numbers reveal both a gender gap and a cultural taboo, with men often hiding symptoms and women facing lower success rates when seeking recognition. Stress remains hard to prove as a workplace illness, and many cases go unreported altogether, making the true scale of the problem much bigger.
🧠 Mental health injuries don’t count unless they involve war. In Denmark, psychological work injuries like anxiety, depression, or burnout are rarely recognized. The current rules only accept PTSD and war-related depression, making it nearly impossible for people affected by poor leadership, bullying, or long-term pressure to get compensation. Even with thousands of new cases reported each year, most are rejected unless they stem from a single, extreme incident. Experts say the system is outdated and doesn't match today’s workplace realities, where mental strain is a growing issue across all sectors.
📉 A new Megafon poll shows over half of us expect the economy to worsen in the next year, mirroring a sharp drop in consumer confidence. The main culprit? Trump’s escalating trade war with China and renewed tensions with the EU. Though tariffs haven’t yet made everyday goods more expensive, economists say market uncertainty is already hitting pension savings and investment. On the upside, overproduction in China might push prices down in Europe, but a global downturn could still mean job losses, stalled wages, and a rocky road ahead.
🏅 Gold rush in uncertain times. Gold prices have hit a record high in Denmark — over 680,000 DKK per kilo — as investors seek shelter from global economic storms. With the US dollar wobbling, bond markets jittery, and central banks stocking up, gold’s reputation as a “safe haven” is shining brighter than ever. Experts say it’s not a get-rich-quick investment but more like a financial life jacket when other markets sink.
🐄 Despite growing demand for organic products, the amount of organic farmland has shrunk for three years in a row. To reverse the trend and reach the 2030 goal of doubling organic farmland, the government just increased subsidies. Experts say switching to conventional farming has simply been more profitable lately, especially with milk prices up.
Entrepreneurship
🛡️ Countdown to cyber compliance. Thousands of companies with critical societal functions must meet stricter cybersecurity rules by July 1. But many still don’t know exactly how. While the law is based on an EU directive from 2022, guidance on who’s affected and what to do is only now arriving, far too late, say critics. The government promises no immediate fines and insists the delay allowed for business consultations. Affected companies include utilities, hospitals, food producers, banks, and more. They’ll soon need to register and implement plans, training, backups, and secure supply chains, an opportunity for cybersecurity start-ups.
Danish Daily Life HQ
🇩🇰 What makes Denmark… Denmark? From more than 10,000 suggestions, 20 cultural gems are now in the running to become part of Denmark’s official bid for UNESCO’s intangible heritage list. The finalists, including folk high schools, communal singing, and (possibly) wienerbrød, were handpicked by a committee featuring national icons like Søren Ryge and Ghita Nørby. The shortlist celebrates living traditions that bring us together and have deep historical roots. You can vote for your favorite until May 14 on folkehøringen.dk.
What are the 20 Danish traditions? Andelsbevægelsen (The Cooperative Movement); Bournonville-ballet; Cycling; Dannebrog (The Danish flag); Efterskoler (Gap year boarding schools); Associations; Forsamlinghuskultur (Community Assembly Halls); Fællessang (Communal singing); Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales; Hygge; Højskoler (High schools for adults); Handball; Kolonihaver (Allotment Gardens); Pølsevogne (Hot Dog Stands); Revy (Cabaret Theatre); Røgerier (Smokehouses); Sankthans (Midsummer Celebration); Smørrebrød; Wienerbrød; Tillidssamfundet (Society of Trust).
Read our article The (brief) story of legally flying national flags in Denmark - Last Week in Denmark
😴 A silent epidemic in the bedroom. Around 400,000 people in Denmark may suffer from sleep apnea, a chronic condition where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, yet most have no idea. Only 100,000 have been diagnosed, despite serious health risks like heart problems, poor concentration, and even car accidents due to daytime fatigue. Diagnosis often takes over a decade, and the condition remains taboo, wrongly seen as something only older, overweight men experience. Experts warn the rising number of cases demands more awareness, earlier detection, and better treatment options across the healthcare system.
Here are five common signs that you might have sleep apnea:
Loud snoring and pauses in breathing during sleep.
Constant fatigue and daytime sleepiness.
Frequent nighttime urination.
Memory and concentration problems.
Irritability, mood swings, or low sex drive.
🎁 What teens want in 2025. With over 230,000 wishes logged on the digital wishlist site Ønskeskyen, this year’s confirmation gift trends give a revealing peek into the teenage brain. Boys are asking for Ralph Lauren clothes, AirPods, and high-end perfumes. Girls lean toward digital cameras, jewelry, and beauty kits, with a TikTok-driven focus on glowy skin and perfect lashes. Experts say kids are swapping toys for trends earlier than ever, driven by social media and influencer culture.
🌿 Aarø is turning into a nature island. The small island of Aarø in Southern Jutland, known for its scenic coast and migrating starlings (yes, the “black sun” phenomenon), will soon be upgraded with new trails, birdwatching towers, and better parking on the mainland to make it accessible year-round. The goal is to attract visitors outside the summer season and support local businesses. The 20 million DKK project runs until 2027.
🎵 Music over laughing gas. Aalborg’s maternity ward is turning down the climate-unfriendly laughing gas and turning up the volume on music therapy. As part of a green healthcare push, expecting mothers can now try calming music sessions to ease stress and pain during labor. The goal is to offer more choices while welcoming new life into the world without harming the planet they’ll grow up on.
🛡️ New safety patrols hit the streets. In Greve, two cheerful women in grey t-shirts are the newest addition to the public space, not just to chat, but to keep watch. As part of a new municipal initiative, “tryghedsvagter” (security guards) now patrol hotspots like transport stations, shopping centers, and beaches to deter unrest and offer reassurance. Trained in conflict management and linked directly to police, they aim to ease community concerns, especially around youth behavior near stations and libraries.
International Community HQ
New reporting
This week, Daniel Schneider takes a closer look at the growth of “prepping culture” in Denmark, the growth of communities and organisations focused on being prepared for emergency situations.
Remember you can join our event with AMIS Aalborg, April 25, 17:00, where we will discuss how we can prepare for crisis, learn about the current security situation in Europe, and enjoy a nice networking event with food and drinks. Participation is free, but you need to sign up.
And Daniel Sfita finds out how an increased focus on defense in Denmark is creating opportunities for international businesses to supply the armed forces.
We recently published our 100th Last Week in Denmark article! Our dedicated reporting team has gone from strength to strength over the past few years and we’re really proud of all their work. To celebrate, in each newsletter we’ll revisit one of our most popular original stories! First up, Laura Matheson’s article Shop European: how it’s getting easier to avoid buying US products and services - Last Week in Denmark, originally published at the start of March.
New columns
This week we’re pleased to launch a new column by Alicja Peszkowska: Life, Shared: Danish Democracy in Practice. In each episode, Alicja, a journalist and communications specialist who has lived here for eight years, will examine how democratic values inform an aspect of Danish society. This week, Alicja looks at the history of andelsboliger, or cooperative housing units.
And Adrienn Ravn brings us the fifth episode of Inside Out, the column that explores self-awareness, growth and life’s traditions. This week she explores how Home doesn’t always have to be a place.
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.
And if you have a news or features story you think we should write about, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us at reporter@lwid.dk
Announcement Board
Massachusetts Dreaming: The Surrealistic World of Rhea Mack is a brand new exhibition at the Kyst Gallery in Dragor, Amager. This is Mack’s first European solo exhibition. Known for her whimsical coloured pencil drawings, Mack creates a tender, offbeat universe populated by skeletons, wizards, and celestial beings. Until 8th May. Find out more.