Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Denmark
Denmark: Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas was 2.0% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Denmark, 1991–2023
Source: ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Denmark is 2.0%, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 33 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.5% on the previous year and down 22.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Denmark peaked at 5.4% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 2.0%, in 2023.
Denmark ranks 161st of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 33 years of available data.
Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Denmark, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 5.4% | — |
| 1992 | 5.3% | -3.0% |
| 1993 | 5.1% | -2.6% |
| 1994 | 5.0% | -1.9% |
| 1995 | 4.4% | -12.9% |
| 1996 | 3.9% | -11.8% |
| 1997 | 3.7% | -3.6% |
| 1998 | 3.7% | -0.8% |
| 1999 | 3.3% | -10.4% |
| 2000 | 3.7% | +10.4% |
| 2001 | 3.5% | -3.3% |
| 2002 | 3.2% | -9.5% |
| 2003 | 3.3% | +2.6% |
| 2004 | 3.3% | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 3.2% | -2.7% |
| 2006 | 3.1% | -3.0% |
| 2007 | 3.0% | -4.0% |
| 2008 | 2.7% | -8.7% |
| 2009 | 2.8% | +2.0% |
| 2010 | 2.5% | -7.8% |
| 2011 | 2.4% | -5.9% |
| 2012 | 2.6% | +10.1% |
| 2013 | 2.6% | -1.7% |
| 2014 | 2.5% | -4.4% |
| 2015 | 2.5% | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 2.3% | -6.3% |
| 2017 | 2.1% | -9.6% |
| 2018 | 2.2% | +3.8% |
| 2019 | 2.2% | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 2.1% | -4.9% |
| 2021 | 2.0% | -3.3% |
| 2022 | 2.1% | +3.5% |
| 2023 | 2.0% | -4.5% |
Denmark compared with similar countries
- Denmark's 2.0% is below the median for high income countries, which is 2.6%, 77% of the median. (62 countries reporting)
- Denmark's 2.0% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 4.9%, 42% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 4.4% | 3.3% | 5.4% | 9 |
| 2000s | 3.2% | 2.7% | 3.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.4% | 2.1% | 2.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.1% | 2.0% | 2.1% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Denmark
- 158 Cyprus 2.4% compare
- 159 Australia 2.1% compare
- 160 French Polynesia 2.1% compare
- 162 Kuwait 1.9% compare
- 163 Netherlands 1.9% compare
- 164 Switzerland 1.9% compare
More agriculture & rural data for Denmark
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), annual 37.33 % change on previous year (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 0.0117 current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added (current US$), per 900.07 current US$ per person (2025)
- Rural population, annual growth rate -0.7939 % change on previous year (2025)
- Rural population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Rural population, per capita 0.1115 units per person (2025)
- Share of GDP from agriculture 1.2% (2025)
- Agriculture as a share of GDP vs. GDP per capita 1.2% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 1.4% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 1.9% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Denmark?
- Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas in Denmark was 2.0% in 2023, according to ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas recorded in Denmark?
- The highest recorded value was 5.4% in 1991.
- What is the lowest share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas recorded in Denmark?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.0% in 2023.
- How does Denmark rank for share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas?
- Denmark ranks 161st out of 186 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Denmark?
- Over the last ten years it is down 22.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Denmark data come from?
- The figures come from ILO via World Bank – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of employment in agriculture vs. share of population living in rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The share of people employed in agriculture includes working-age people with a job in farming, forestry, fishing, and related activities, including those temporarily absent.