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Chapter 1. Denmark: the crisis and beyond

The Danish economy has been hit by the global economic crisis and is going through a deep and protracted recession. Fortunately, strong policy frameworks mean that Denmark is well placed to steer through the worst downturn in forty years. The fiscal position is comparatively strong and sizeable fiscal stimulus is already working its way through, supplementing strong automatic stabilisers. Labour market policies, including a strong focus on activation of the unemployed, should help employment recover quickly as the economy starts to grow again. However, the depth of the recession is likely to have medium-term consequences for the Danish economy via higher structural unemployment, reduced capital accumulation and possibly lower innovative activity. This chapter first briefly situates Denmark’s longer-run economic performance. It then reviews developments in financial markets and their implications for the real economy. Next, it turns to the likely consequences of the recession on medium-term growth and points to the financial, fiscal and labour market policies required to overcome the recession and minimise its adverse long-term consequences.

Chapter 2. Why has productivity growth declined?

Labour productivity decelerated markedly over the 1990s and into the current decade. One reason is the slowdown in capital deepening related to the trend increase in employment. Greater inclusion in the labour market of workers with lower-than-average productivity may also have contributed. However, these factors do not account for the observed reduction in total factor productivity (TFP) growth. The TFP slowdown is puzzling in light of Denmark’s comparatively productivity-friendly policies and institutions. The financial crisis is likely to hold back productivity growth over the medium run, through the pace of capital deepening and, possibly, through lower investment in R&D and innovation. This chapter analyses the slowdown in productivity growth and reviews the policies that could help boost it in the future.

Chapter 3. Human capital: key to higher productivity

Human capital is a major determinant of growth in productivity and national incomes. Adopting new technologies requires a skilled workforce with capacity to adjust. In this regard, Denmark is in a relatively strong position, with gradual improvements in school outcomes and ample provisions for life-long learning. However, home-grown talent may not be sufficient for Denmark to remain a good location for firms wanting to be at the global cutting edge. This chapter first reviews labour market outcomes to assess trends in skill supply and demand. Thereafter it goes through the key policy issues, covering: compulsory education, where learning outcomes can still improve; upper secondary education, where completion rates must rise to avoid future labour market exclusion; and tertiary education, whose supply of top talent seems not to be keeping pace with demand.

The complete edition of the Economic Survey of Denmark is available from:

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• Access by password for Accredited journalists

The Policy Brief (pdf format) can be downloaded in English. It contains the OECD assessment and recommendations. 

• Economic Surveys and Country Surveillance

• Timetable of planned EDRC Meetings

• List of recent Surveys of Denmark

• OECD Denmark

• OECD Economics Department homepage

For further information please contact the Denmark Desk at the OECD Economics Department at eco.survey@oecd.org.

The OECD Secretariat's report was prepared by Stéphanie Jamet, Peter Welz and Niels-Jakob Harbo Hansen under the supervision of Vincent Koen. Research assistance was provided by Lutécia Daniel.