Picsea and Matt Bennett Unsplash
Fewer young More elderly
Is demography destiny?
What does it mean to have fewer young people and more elderly? What consequences do changes in the age structure have for Denmark’s economy and society? And are the demographic changes we are witnessing today actually a problem?
With the help of research and data, we dive into the key questions raised by the demographic transformation that Denmark is undergoing.
Population fearsFrom Malthus to today
The numbersChanging demographics
The youngSmaller cohorts, greater investment
The elderlyLonger lives, but how healthy?
Danish demographicsA good starting position?
The view from EuropeA continent growing older
A younger worldFor now, at least
Labour and technologyToo few workers, too many robots?
Population and environmentA simple link?
What can be done?
Denmark’s population is aging, and its demographic composition is changing significantly. This is not a sudden crisis, but a slow structural challenge that is already affecting the labour market, our finances and public service delivery. Population debates always reflect concerns in society — but the fear has shifted: from worrying about having too many people to now fearing that we might have too few.
History shows that solutions exist, but they rarely emerge automatically, and there is no single silver bullet. Our policy brief is based on research and data, and presents clear recommendations for how Denmark can address this challenge.
