The war on bicycle theft; Buy an electric car before it’s too late; Make reading great again.
Last Week in Denmark (19.01-26.01) Episode 3 Year 5
TOP 3 News
Tougher punishments for petty crimes from February 1.
Electric cars are getting more expensive due to the gradual phase-in of the registration tax.
The love for reading is dying in Denmark—only 14% of 4th graders enjoy reading.
Listen to the Last Week in Denmark podcast here. New episode out. Spotify. Apple Podcasts. Amazon Music.
Editor HQ
State of Denmark
“The most serious foreign policy crisis in decades” – Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Foreign Minister
The race for the Arctic is officially underway. What we’re witnessing is the early phase of a geopolitical conflict that historians and analysts have warned about for decades. As the ice melts, the Arctic’s once-inaccessible treasures are becoming fair game; resources that could reshape global power dynamics. The newly navigable Northwest Passage and Northern Sea Route are just the beginning.
The stakes are monumental. The Arctic is believed to contain 30% of the world’s undiscovered natural gas and 13% of its untapped oil reserves. Greenland, in particular, sits on a treasure trove of rare earth minerals—essential components for the modern technologies powering everything from smartphones to fighter jets. Unsurprisingly, this has turned Greenland into a geopolitical hotspot, with global powers eyeing its resources to secure their supply chains.
Now, with Donald Trump inaugurated as President of the United States on January 20, the starting gun has been fired. In his first hours in office, he scrapped the green transition agenda and brought fossil fuels back to center stage. His rallying cry, “drill, baby, drill,” leaves no doubt about the United States’ ambitions: to dominate Arctic resource extraction.
But the U.S. isn’t the only player in this icy theater. The other contenders include:
Denmark and the European Union, oddly positioned to defend their territory against an ally.
Greenland’s own people, who dream of independence but have delayed autonomy for years, are caught between their aspirations and harsh economic realities.
Russia, which has spent years preparing for this moment, is building up a robust military presence in the Arctic.
China, whose Polar Silk Road initiative signals its intent to claim a stake in the region’s future.
The first round of this race? The U.S. appears poised to fuel Greenland’s independence movement, calculating that it’s easier to negotiate with a nation of 56,000 people than the 450 million citizens of the European Union. However, any Greenlandic declaration of independence would ignite a geopolitical firestorm. The superpowers, Russia and China chief among them, won’t stand idly by while the U.S. attempts to dominate the Arctic.
This is no mere game of chess; it’s a multi-layered struggle with global ramifications. The Arctic, once a frozen frontier, is now a proving ground for 21st-century power plays. And as this race unfolds, one thing is certain: the world is watching.
Our lead reporter, Ali Lewis, has spent this week speaking to some of our American readers living here about their response to the turmoil. Read what they had to say here.
Mert Sungurlu has also written this short history of Greenland’s relationship with Denmark.
Thank you for reading and sharing Last Week in Denmark!
Images of the week
A 7,000-year-old axe casually sitting in a family’s closet (because why not?), wolves making a surprise guest appearance in a quiet neighborhood (yes, there’s a video!), and a Swedish minister using satellite images to shine a light on Russia’s economic woes.
🪓 Ancient axe discovery
🐺 Wolves caught on camera
📷 Satellite proof from Moscow
Illustration made by Diana Bălașa
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Danish Politics HQ
New laws
The parliament declared war on petty crimes (shoplifting, pickpocketing, bicycle theft, and burglary). A new law will bring tougher punishments for petty crimes from February 1.
Higher fines for shoplifting and pickpocketing (from 500 DKK to 1,000 DKK). In cases of repeat offences, the fine will be higher. Also, the fine will always be higher than the value of the stolen object.
Random checks on cyclists to check if the bike has been reported stolen.
Financial control of 18-25 year olds who commit burglary or theft. This is a special condition that limits the use of a bank account (e.g. a limit on financial transactions). Plus, regular reporting to the Danish Probation Service about the person’s finances.
The law on wiretapping has been amended so that stores are allowed to make audio recordings. However, customers and employees need to be informed via clear signage. Two trade unions, IDA and HK Handel, criticize the amendment as they argue it will have consequences for employees’ mental health.
Less bureaucracy for people with disabilities. The model for additional expenditure benefits (merudgiftsydelse) has been simplified by a majority agreement in Parliament. A fixed amount of 1,105 DKK per month has been introduced.
Reform of the Danish Social Inspectorate (Socialtilsynet). In recent years, the specialized social area costs have increased by one billion DKK every year. Unfortunately, it was not the service quality that increased, but supervision, control, documentation, and bureaucracy. The government reached a majority agreement in Parliament to reform the specialized social area, starting with three initiatives:
The Danish Social Inspectorate will no longer be required to do an annual inspection of all services. Instead, it will be every three years, with an exception for foster families, which will be visited at least every two years.
Limits on the right to freely choose residential care or residential-care-like services. You can only choose an alternative offer to the one presented by the municipality if it is less than 10% more expensive. Until now it was at 25%.
If you live in a housing facility provided under Section 108 and your spouse (who needed the care of the facility) dies, you have three months to move out. Until now, you could stay as long as you wanted.
Law proposals
The Ministry of Culture sent an application to add Hanklit (Morsø) and Knude Klint (Fur, Skive) to the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is the second attempt, after a failed application in 2012. A decision will be made in 2026. Why? The black basaltic ash layers contain unique fish fossils dated to the last mass extinction (55 million years ago). Other places in Denmark on the UNESCO World Heritage List? Christiansfeld (unique city planning), Jellinge Monuments (burial mounds and runestones), Kronborg Castle (preserved Renaissance castle from 1574), Stevns Klint (documents the meteor that killed the dinos), and many others.
A howl for fairness. A member of Parliament wants to move some of the wolves from Jylland to Fyn and Sjælland. Wolves are protected in Denmark, and it is illegal to shoot them. There are 60-80 wolves in Central and West Jylland.
His colleagues from Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) are not happy with the idea.
The municipalities will no longer be allowed to change speed limits on busy roads (defined as having more than 4,000 cars daily). The Ministry of Transport proposed a reform of the road administration, which is seen as an attack on municipal autonomy.
Danish Members of the EU Parliament are open to banning TikTok in Denmark.
The law on taxation of crypto assets has been postponed until autumn this year. The government would like more dialogue with the different stakeholders in the crypto industry before presenting the new taxation rules. Around 300,000 people in Denmark own crypto assets (like bitcoin).
Denmark is doubling down on its efforts to restore streams and lakes, aiming for good ecological status by restoring over 7,500 km of watercourses and removing 1,500 barriers to allow fish to roam freely again. For lakes, the plan includes creating 1,000 hectares of phosphorus wetlands, planting trees along 500 km of streams, acquiring 30 fish farms, and restoring 77 lakes. The cost? 2.5 billion DKK. The plan has been sent into consultation.
Political scene
Latest opinion poll (compared to August 2024)
Government parties: Socialdemokratiet (Social Democrats) 19.7% (+0.5%); Venstre (Liberals) 8.6% (-0.3%); Moderaterne (Social Liberals) 4.4% (-1.9%)
Red (left-wing) opposition parties: SF (Socialists) 15.8% (-0.2%); Enhedslisten (Red-Green Alliance) 6.8% (-0.1%); Radikale Venstre (Social Liberals) 4.1% (-); Alternativet (Greens) 2.4% (+0.7%)
Blue (right-wing) opposition parties: Liberal Alliance (Libertarian Conservatives) 11.6% (-1.2%); DD (Nationalist Populists) 11.5% (-); Konservative (Conservatives) 6.8% (+0.2%); DF (Nationalist Conservatives) 4.9% (-)
New party (which is below the 2% threshold to enter Parliament): Borgernes Parti (Trump-style movement) 1.8%
300 billion DKK extra is needed to reinforce the military capabilities of Denmark, says the Minister of Defense, Troels Lund Poulsen. 200 billion DKK has already been allocated to upgrade the defense capacity. Now there is just a question of where this money will be taken from.
Local government in Hedensted refuses to implement a new law regarding waste supervision. Municipalities are required to organise more waste inspections for companies, and companies need to bear the cost of the visit. The local politicians find the law too bureaucratic and not supportive of the business environment.
A 20 km motorway in Aalborg called “the third Limfjord connection” will be built between 2027 and 2034. The motorway itself represents one of the most intensely debated local issues in the history of the city. There have been two options: to build it through where the rich people live (Hasseris) or to build it where the poorer people live (Aalborg East), and unfortunately for the rich, their side was chosen. Now, there is a movement against the decision and a significant amount of money collected to sue the Danish State.
Danish Economics HQ
Our money
From March 24, MobilePay will take a 1% fee from private transfers above 4,000 DKK. Why? To cover the current deficit. The company has not made a profit since its launch in 2013.
163 million DKK to fight the development of the underground crime industry (crime-as-a-service). The money will mainly go to the Copenhagen Police Investigation Unit and the NSK (National Unit for Serious Crimes). The police should strengthen capabilities to access criminal communications on encrypted messaging services and support complicated investigations that require special interventions in the digital area. In the same law, 110 million DKK has been allocated to increase the number of police officers.
What is crime-as-a-service? Since April 2024, there have been 32 cases of crimes ordered via encrypted messaging services. Mainly, young people from Sweden have been hired to carry out crimes in Denmark. The price for an assassination? 400,000 to 500,000 DKK. To blow up a place? 50,000 to 100,000 DKK.
137 million DKK to fund 22 initiatives against negative social control. What to expect? Shelters for families with children who have been exposed to honor-related conflicts. More security consultants to advise municipalities and individuals. More rights counselors deployed at youth institutions to help students exposed to negative social control. First cousin marriages are outlawed. Awareness campaign about re-education trips and involuntary stays abroad.
67.4 million DKK to fund 15 projects aimed at the protection of drinking water. The largest project is in Grenå (Norddjursland), where 26.4 million DKK will be used to clean 662 hectares of nitrates and pesticides. Also, 231 unused wells and boreholes will be closed. You can see the other projects funded here.
State of the markets
2,700 more employees in November 2024 compared to the previous month. A new record in employment has been achieved with 3,035,400 people that have a job.
142,592 houses have installed solar panels. A decade ago, there were around 90,000 houses with solar panels. Most of the 52,000+ new systems were installed between 2022-2024. Why? Rising electricity costs.
Due to the gradual phase-in of the car registration tax, electric cars will become more expensive. In fact, the price will jump at least 8% every year until 2030. The auto industry is pushing to scrap the car registration tax entirely, proposing instead a road usage tax to replace it.
Ørsted, a green energy company partly owned by the Danish State (50.1% of the shares), is already feeling the effects of the new U.S. president’s decision to switch focus away from solar and wind power to oil and gas. The share value dropped 20% since Monday (January 20). However, the company is doing well on the European and Asian markets, so their value might still recover.
Vestas, another green energy company, will build 64 wind turbines in Ukraine. The value of the order is 3.6 billion DKK. Once completed, they will provide energy to 700,000 houses. The reconstruction of Ukraine presents a significant opportunity for Danish companies, and many aren’t waiting for the war to end—they're already leading the charge in this new gold rush.
The Franco-Dutch airline KLM was reported to the police by the Consumer Ombudsman. Why? The Marketing Act. Companies in Denmark need to be able to prove any claims they make in public. Otherwise, they are misleading. So what did KLM do? They used the words “a big step towards travelling a little more sustainably” while adding only 1% sustainable fuel to the planes.
Entrepreneurship
Free business course opportunity: Join “Business Economics for Entrepreneurs,” organized by Aalborg Institute for Development and Iværksætterdanmark. When? Every Tuesday 17:00-20:00 (February 4-25). Sign up here.
Danish Daily Life HQ
The first Dane to reach the South Pole alone. Rasmus Kragh traveled on skis 1,130 km from the coast of Antarctica to the South Pole. It took 63 days. In 2019, he was the first Dane to climb Mount Everest without the use of artificial oxygen.
Another Dane is conquering the stratosphere. Billionaire Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen has built a stratospheric platform called “Sceye,” an unmanned flying vessel of sorts that is able to go higher than planes. Read the story here.
The Danish movie “The Girl with the Needle” has been nominated for Oscars in the category “Best International Film.” The Oscars will take place on March 2.
Romantasy, a fusion of romance and fantasy, dominates the bestseller lists for books in Denmark. More specifically, the series of books “Empyrian” written by Rebecca Yarros, which some dubb as the new Harry Potter.
Only 14% of Denmark's 4th grade students enjoy reading. Just five years ago, the figure was at 20%. Are your children reading? Do they enjoy it? If not, here are some tips from experts: Read together with your child or put on an audiobook; do not force the child to read alone, as it could lead to reading hatred. Drop the 20-minute reading requirement; focus on shorter intervals. Read anything, from comics to the back of the cereal box. More here.
People in Denmark are writing wills like never before. A record number of people (86,000 last year) are putting pen to paper, ensuring their wishes are clear for the future. The surge in wills reflects growing awareness about securing assets, family dynamics, and charitable giving. Planning for tomorrow? It’s officially trending in Denmark. 🖋️📜
Denmark is bracing for a tough flu season, with infection rates expected to peak at a “high level,” warns the Statens Serum Institut (SSI). Hospitals are already seeing an uptick in cases, and health officials are urging vulnerable groups to get vaccinated.
Animal shelters across Denmark are seeing a surge in supply as more families decide to give up their dogs. The waitlist for rehoming pets is growing rapidly, with shelters attributing the trend to rising living costs, time constraints, and changing lifestyles.
The risk of cyberattacks targeting Danish waterworks is at an all-time high, warns the Center for Cybersecurity. Hackers could disrupt water supplies, posing serious risks to public health and infrastructure.
In Denmark, farmers and municipalities have just one year to collaborate on transforming farmland into protected nature areas under the EU’s nature restoration plan. The tight deadline has sparked concerns over feasibility, but it’s also driving innovative partnerships to balance agriculture and conservation.
In December, over 120,000 people in Denmark agreed to become organ donors—a record-breaking surge. The increase follows a nationwide campaign encouraging citizens to register their wishes. Health officials hope this momentum will reduce wait times and save lives, proving that awareness can truly make a difference. 💓🩺
Guest column
The column “Insights into the Danish Way of Life” has ended. After a weekly serialization for almost 12 months during 2024, the writer Catalina Anapios will take a much-needed break. Her words have brought humor, heart, and a deeper understanding of Denmark’s unique culture to our audience. We’re incredibly grateful for her dedication and storytelling talent. Thank you, Catalina, and good luck in your next writing adventure.
International Community HQ
In a story fit for a movie, an African prince has traded his royal heritage for a quiet life in Stevns, Denmark. Rejecting the throne, he’s embraced Danish culture and community, proving that sometimes simplicity beats sovereignty. The tale of royalty meets rural Denmark is capturing hearts far and wide. 👑
An 18-year-old girl’s looming deportation has left her friends and community reeling. Despite spending most of her life in Denmark, immigration rules are forcing her to leave the country. Her story highlights the emotional toll of strict residency laws, sparking debate over the human impact of immigration policies.
Read an interview with the international founder of “Even Founders,” Ana Andonovska, written by Kalpita Bhosale.
Our writing team has grown significantly since our call for new volunteers a few weeks ago! It’s an exciting start to 2025!
Ahmet Akkoç has some very useful advice on biking in Denmark in the winter.
This week, we have a new monthly column from Emily Ritchie, whose series “The Little Viking Saga” centres on how it feels when your two-year-old is more confidently navigating Denmark and the Danish language than you!
We’re also launching a new monthly column called Tur-Retur from Laura Matheson, about returning to Denmark as an international after several years living abroad.
We also have new columns by regulars Florin Lungu, who delves into leading remote teams across borders effectively, and Stephanie Makison on how to entertain a teenager on a rainy January day in Copenhagen.
Announcement Board
Copenhagen, Christiania Loppen, February 1: Join the event “Reggae Month: A Tribute to the Legends.” Read more here.
International media about Denmark
Trump Triggers a Crisis in Denmark — And Europe (The Atlantic)
Denmark has the ‘happiest city in the world.’ I spent a week there in search of their secret (Yahoo News)
Hi there,
I noticed that the article mentions lower quality standards, but I couldn’t find this specific reference in the text:
“Animal shelters across Denmark are seeing a surge in supply as more families decide to give up their dogs. The waitlist for rehoming pets is growing rapidly, with shelters attributing the trend to rising living costs, time constraints, and changing lifestyles.”
Is this mentioned elsewhere that I can check? Thanks a lot!
Hi - I’m a big fan of Last Week in Denmark and have been a subscriber for a long time, but the bit about the “3. Limfjordsforbindelse” is either written by someone who doesn’t know much about the conflict or it has been researched very insufficiently.
To claim, that it is somehow a conflict between rich and poor, where the poor won and the rich now have to contend with a motorway through their neighborhood, is simply not true. The reason why there’s so much controversy surrounding the building of said motorway, lies in its destruction of nature, habitats for endangered species, potential loss of clean drinking water depots and a threat of digging up asbestos, that could become harmful for all citizens - no matter whether they are poor or rich.
Plus the fact that Aalborg will be surrounded by two motorways, if it comes to pass. I can only hope that the lawsuit will end in victory!