Greenland saga continues; Nuclear energy comeback; Housing prices in your municipality
Last Week in Denmark (12.01-19.01) Episode 2 Year 5
TOP 3 News
Potential trade war between the US and Denmark over Greenland.
55% of people in Denmark support the removal of the nuclear energy ban.
5.2% average housing price increase in 2024.
Starting January 25, the Last Week in Denmark podcast is back! This time, it’s a 30-minute audio series where two co-hosts dive into the top three news stories from the newsletter.
Editor HQ
State of Denmark
“We can no longer think of ourselves as being in a time of peace.” Mette Frederiksen, Denmark’s Prime Minister
We are only in the third week of January, yet somehow it feels like the holidays took place ages ago. The world clearly isn’t slowing down just because it’s January. Events surrounding Greenland continue to unfold, potentially posing serious challenges for the Danish economy. Meanwhile, sabotage incidents involving data cables in the Baltic Sea are a stark reminder that we are, in many ways, already seeing signs of war.
Over the last two months, there have been multiple acts of sabotage in the Baltic Sea. Data cables connecting Lithuania and Sweden, Germany and Finland, and most recently Estonia and Finland, have been damaged by a Russian “shadow"fleet"—vessels operating without the Russian flag. In response, NATO plans to deploy swarms of drones, frigates, and maritime patrol aircraft to protect these critical lines of communication.
Despite these troubling developments, Greenland has become perhaps the world’s hottest topic right now. Major global influencers are producing content about—and directly from—Greenland. On one hand, this sudden attention could benefit the Greenlandic economy if the island moves closer to full independence. On the other hand, the financial boost that Greenland truly needs isn’t a few hundred U.S. dollars from enthusiastic Trump supporters handing out cash on the streets of Nuuk. It’s the billions of DKK that Denmark currently provides to support Greenland’s infrastructure and public services.
Interestingly, Greenland isn’t the first autonomous region within the Kingdom of Denmark to explore going its own way. The Faroe Islands attempted to secede around the year 2000. But after a candid conversation with then Prime Minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, the Faroese independence delegation realized the plan wasn’t financially feasible. Much like Greenland, the Faroe Islands rely heavily on Danish subsidies and would struggle to replace that support on their own.
Meanwhile, relations between the United States and Greenland have taken a new turn. American officials are meeting directly with Greenlandic politicians, and Greenlandic ministers are publishing opinion pieces in American newspapers, seeking closer ties. Prime Minister Múte B. Egede recently appeared on Fox News, reiterating Greenland’s position: “Greenlanders do not want to be Danes or Americans; they want to be [Greenlanders]... We will always be part of NATO; we will always be a strong partner for the United States. We are close neighbors, and we have cooperated for the last 80 years.”
At the same time, Danish-American relations have become frostier than ever. A phone call between Mette Frederiksen and Trump made it clear that a trade war might be looming. The U.S. is unwilling to back down from its threat to raise tariffs on Danish goods. In response, Frederiksen has already alerted Danish business leaders working with the U.S. market to prepare for the possibility of an exit from American trade.
In these tense circumstances, Greenland’s bid for greater autonomy or full independence intersects with broader geopolitical struggles. As global powers vie for influence in the Arctic—and as Denmark wrestles with potential economic fallout—Greenland's strategic importance only grows. The coming months may prove pivotal in shaping relationships across the North Atlantic. One thing is certain: it may be early in the year, but these developments are already making 2025 feel extraordinarily eventful.
“There are no alternatives to the USA.” Peter Viggo Jakobsen, Associate Professor Danish Defence Academy
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Danish Politics HQ
New laws
Starting in May 2025, municipalities will no longer be permitted to use psychological tests when evaluating Greenlandic parents in child placement cases. Although the Ministry of Social Affairs instructed municipalities in November 2024 to discontinue the use of these tests, some chose to persist. With the new legislation soon in effect, these tests will be officially prohibited.
Why are these psychological tests considered problematic? First, they are administered in Danish, which may not be the parents’ primary language. In addition, they rely on facial expression analyses and figures originally created for Western culture - a methodology that has been criticized for neglecting Greenlandic cultural considerations.
A specialized unit with expertise in Greenlandic language and culture will be established to assist municipalities in such cases. This unit will also review current child placements where these tests were used and may recommend reopening cases if assessments are deemed unfair. 460 Greenlandic children are currently forcibly placed with other families.
If you’re over 60, you have the right to opt out of resuscitation attempts in case of cardiac arrest. To do so, you can register your decision on sundhed.dk or submit a paper form to the Danish Health Data Agency. You can also change your mind and withdraw your opt-out at any time. This right has been advocated by key stakeholders, including the Danish Elderly Affairs Association (Ældre Sagen), the Danish Medical Association, and the Danish Ethics Council.
Goodbye, wasted energy! Denmark just axed the price cap on surplus heat, making it easier for local district heating companies to tap into the heat humming away in data centers, factories, and other industrial facilities. This long-awaited move means less energy “going to the sparrows” and more warming Danish homes.
Law proposals
Denmark’s nuclear nerves are fading fast! According to a Megafon survey, 55% of people in Denmark now support lifting the 1985 ban on nuclear energy—a big jump from 46% in 2022. It seems the atom isn’t as scary as it used to be. But don’t expect any reactor construction here anytime soon; the government remains firmly pro-wind, calling it Denmark’s true energy future. Meanwhile, over in the EU, nuclear power already accounts for a solid 26% of energy production. Guess we’ll stick to turbines while others embrace the glow.
Elon Musk stirring Danish politics? Not so fast. After Musk’s dabbling in European politics, Danish politicians across the spectrum are uniting to keep foreign influence out of elections. Moderaterne (Social Liberals), Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats), and Venstre (Liberals) want stricter laws to ban foreign donations, citing the need to protect democracy. While the Liberal Alliance (Libertarian Conservatives) prefers transparency over regulation, the consensus is clear: Denmark’s elections won’t be swayed by billionaire wallets.
Political scene
The first reign year for King Frederik. The Danish royal family has had a busy year. First, Margrethe’s abdication document accidentally leaked online. Then Egypt’s President al-Sisi received Denmark’s highest honor, the Order of the Elephant, during a surprise state visit. King Frederik also found himself in the spotlight as Greenland dominated public debate; coinciding with Trump’s renewed talk of “buying” the territory, King Frederik revised the royal coat of arms, giving Greenland more prominence and sparking international speculation.
Greenlandic MPs to Denmark: do better. The government’s action plan against racism is facing heat from Greenlandic MPs Aaja Chemnitz (IA) and Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam (Siumut), who say it falls short of addressing daily discrimination faced by Greenlanders in Denmark. The draft includes a discrimination fund, a state unit for equal treatment, and dialogue with educational institutions. Immigration Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek admits there’s room for improvement and promises to incorporate their suggestions.
Trump and Musk vibes hit Denmark. Morten Messerschmidt (DF - Nationalist Conservative) made a pilgrimage to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, only to find the man himself was out. Meanwhile, Lars Boje Mathiesen, Denmark’s own far-right social media provocateur, took to X to openly ask Elon Musk for financial support, brushing off concerns about foreign political interference. Recently approved by the Ministry of the Interior, Mathiesen’s new Citizens’ Party (Borgernes Parti) is on the ballot, with plans to “shake up” Christiansborg. With 700 members and ambitions to disrupt Danish politics, Mathiesen is borrowing a page straight from the Trump-Musk playbook.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
Denmark vs. Brussels: The wage wars continue. Denmark scored a win today as the EU Advocate General sided with the government’s challenge to the EU's minimum wage directive. Employment Minister Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen called the news “huge,” emphasizing that while fair wages are vital, Brussels has no business setting pay rates in Denmark. The Confederation of Danish Industry, notoriously skeptical of EU interference in labor policies, admitted they didn’t dare hope for such a positive outcome. The case will see a final verdict in 2025.
608 million DKK to strengthen the Emergency Response Agency (Beredskabsstyrelsen). A first political agreement led by the new minister for Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness has allocated 608 million DKK for urgent initiatives in 2025-2026 and 1.9 billion DKK for initiatives over the next five years. Among the 2025 initiatives, you can find:
Increased emergency response staff to support municipal emergency services and address urgent challenges in the Emergency Response Agency’s infrastructure.
Investment in specialized climate equipment such as high-capacity pumps and mobile dams.
Strengthening chemical and nuclear emergency preparedness.
Enhanced training for severe weather events and hybrid attack scenarios (e.g., sabotage or cyberattacks on critical infrastructure).
Expanded advisory services on emergency planning for municipalities, authorities, and companies.
Strengthened cybersecurity measures with continuous advice for citizens, companies, and authorities.
State of the markets
Sorø’s housing market is on fire. Over the past year, square meter prices in Sorø have skyrocketed by 34.5%, reaching an average of 15,135 DKK/m², far outpacing the regional average of 11.5% increase. Mayor Gert Jørgensen attributes the surge to the area’s post-pandemic charm, remote work opportunities, and a wave of young families fleeing Copenhagen’s escalating prices. Curious about the housing price increase in your municipality? Check the map here. Besides Sorø, Langeland, Lolland, and Syddjurs are in demand.
House and apartment prices increased nationwide in 2024, with house prices rising by 5.2% and apartment prices by 7%, compared to December 2023. Additionally, sales times have also increased, with houses taking an average of 134 days to sell (a 0.8% increase compared to December 2023), reflecting a slower market despite rising prices.
Greenland’s rare earth treasure trove: potential or peril? Greenland’s untapped reserves of rare earth minerals could play a huge role in the green transition, reducing the West’s reliance on China. Resource Minister Naaja H. Nathanielsen is eager to kick-start mining but says progress has been stalled by a lack of funding and infrastructure. While the minerals could boost Greenland’s economy, experts warn of inflation and disruption to local communities, especially for indigenous populations.
Bitcoin: from nerdy niche to global superbrand. Once dismissed as “dangerous” by Denmark’s National Bank, Bitcoin has defied the odds to hit a unit value of $100,000, cementing its place as a financial heavyweight. Mainstream finance is finally caving, with big players like JP Morgan and Tesla jumping on the crypto train, while Trump now calls for the U.S. to become the “world’s crypto hub.” Despite repeated crashes, Bitcoin has risen stronger each time, evolving into a paradoxical safe haven in a chaotic world.
Entrepreneurship
Two years of free membership for startups at Dansk Industri. What do you get? Access to events and conferences, networking opportunities, and legal support. Sign up here.
If you live in the area serviced by the energy company Norlys, you can apply for their Growth Fund until February 1. The fund is to support projects about green innovation, climate improvements, energy renovation, increased digitalization, innovative ideas, ideas that create new jobs, associations, and education. For inspiration, check projects supported before.
Do you have a manufacturing startup? Apply for the “Future Manufacturers” program until February 10 here.
Danish Daily Life HQ
The Danish Food Agency (Fødevarestyrelsen) sent a warning to throw away dietary supplements acquired from the TikTok profile mpower_dk. They contain illegal and harmful substances.
More people survive a cancer diagnosis than ever before. The latest figures from 2022 show that, for example, 73% of men with cancer diagnoses are alive after five years. Compared to the data from 2000, when the survival rate was at 47%, this is a significant improvement. Why? Four cancer plans were implemented in the last 25 years.
Cancer Plan I (2000). Implemented because the survival rate in Denmark was way behind other Nordic countries. It involved more scanners, more medical and surgical treatment, and created a more uniform and effective treatment.
Cancer Plan II (2005). Cancer was designated as an acute disease, and cancer packages (intended to ensure patients received uniform, high-quality treatment) were introduced.
Cancer Plan III (2010). It gave all people in Denmark ages 50-75 the opportunity to be screened for bowel cancer. The focus was now more on patients with increased screening, rehabilitation, and palliative care.
Cancer Plan IV (2016). The patients' cancer plan. Now patients wishes had to be taken into account, treatment had to be done on the patient's terms, and treatment could be done at home.
Bean burrito, Denmark’s new national recipe. In an effort to reduce meat consumption and increase legume consumption, nine grocery store chains, together with Forbrugerrådet Tænk and the Foundation for Plant-Based Foods, will promote a recipe for a bean burrito.
A new type of minced meat can be found in grocery stores. To make it more climate-friendly, they combined chicken with beef. Check it out here.
Queen Margrethe designed a porcelain mug for Royal Copenhagen. It costs 799 DKK. The mug is painted with blue fish, which the Queen first painted in France many years ago on another occasion.
Record number of museum visitors in 2024. The high count reflects how the museums have reinvented themselves and their functions. How? Just by being open when people have time off, holding various events and talks, and regularly changing exhibitions.
Incels meet their match: femcels. The internet’s latest phenomenon, femcels, are women rejecting modern feminism for pushing them into “masculine roles,” thereby scaring men away from pursuing them. Influencers in the so-called "femosphere" promote abandoning equality in favor of finding traditional, financially supportive men. While incels lash out at women, femcels blame feminism. Both groups share a view of dating as a battle, but femcels emphasize their “vulnerability” in wanting to be cared for.
Nature’s therapy for men: no gym required. In the forests of Kalø Vig, men struggling with stress, anxiety, or loneliness are finding solace through Hel i Skoven — a 12-week nature therapy course. With activities like quiet forest walks, fire cooking, and cloud-gazing from hammocks, the program trades therapy rooms for campfire huts. Exclusively for men, the course creates a space where participants can be vulnerable without the pressure of performing “manhood” in mixed groups.
The time of ”micro-influencers.” In Ejstrupholm, aspiring influencer Vivi Friis is turning everyday moments into paid partnerships. With 4,200 Instagram followers, Vivi’s journey into micro-influencing has seen her earn both products and cash, like 500 DKK for a hairbrush review. Read her story here.
A worrying trend is happening at the Glyptotek. Visitors get undressed and crawl around on the ancient art objects for pictures.
Guest column
We are looking for original content writers for a monthly column (400–500 words) to be published in this section. The themes are pre-established, so if you’re interested and can write about any of the four topics, send an email to lastweekdk@gmail.com with a writing sample.
Topics
Danish values - cultural principles and societal norms that define life in Denmark.
Lessons from Danish history - events, people, and cultural moments that have shaped Denmark over the centuries.
Democracy in Danish life - explore how democratic principles permeate not just Denmark’s political system but also its culture, institutions, and daily life.
Quirky Denmark - a lighthearted column revealing the oddities and surprises of Danish life.
International Community HQ
Imran Rashid wins major DR TV Award. Imran Rashid, world expert on the impact of screen time on young people and architect of the Danish Public Health Agency recommendations on healthy screen use, has won a major award in communication from DR TV. The award is in recognition of his tireless work in raising public awareness of these complex issues and potential solutions.
New columns
Rasna Kaur Mistry is back with a new installment of From Denmark to London via Covid: A Mother’s Musings. In this episode, she writes about grief and returning “home” as an international.
Personally, I wish it had been more Four Weddings and a Funeral, but such is the nature of expat life I suppose. Mourning while juggling the practical chaos of two small children left me wondering: how do other expats manage to grieve while living abroad? The emotional weight of loss feels compounded by distance, logistics, and the sense of being caught between two worlds.
I vividly remember, just before leaving for the Land of Hygge, a conversation I had with a friend:
Me: “I am so lucky. Denmark is barely a two-hour flight from home; I’ll be back all the time!”
Friend: “Well, of course, we’d love to see you, but another expat friend of mine says they only really come home for weddings or funerals, no matter where in the world they are.”
Me: “Oh no, no, no… that won’t be me!”
Famous. Last. Words.
Announcement Board
All over Denmark, January 30 - February 28: Vinter Jazz by Copenhagen Jazz Festival is a national music festival lasting three weeks during the winter period and featuring over 600 concerts across 150 venues. It includes performances from international stars, new Danish projects, and curated themes. The festival spans cities like Aalborg, Esbjerg, and Copenhagen and highlights a national collaboration between venues, musicians, and audiences, bringing together both urban and rural areas of Denmark.
Copenhagen, January 31 - February 23: Copenhagen Light Festival is an annual event that transforms the city into a vibrant celebration of light art and design. The festival showcases a variety of light-based works—including sculptures, installations, projection mapping, and illuminations—created by established and emerging artists, designers, and organizations.
Online, January 23, 16:00-17:00: The digital world of Denmark by International House Copenhagen. This session explores the evolution of Denmark's digital society, tracing its development from the introduction of the CPR system in 1968 to modern digital services like NemID/MitID and borger.dk. It highlights the decades of innovation, collaboration, and hard work that have shaped Denmark into a world leader in digital technology.