Nordic ALCOHOL and DRUG policy network
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DENMARK
The Danish government, formed on 15 December 2022, consists of a coalition between the Social Democratic Party, the Liberal Party (Venstre), and the Moderates. This government was established following the general elections held on 1 November 2022, where Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's Social Democrats emerged as the largest party, gaining two more seats and achieving their best result in two decades. Despite the Social Democrats' success, the election results initially suggested no clear majority for any bloc. However, the left-leaning parties retained a slim majority due to the results from the Faroe Islands and Greenland. The new government marks the first time since 1977 that Denmark's two main parties, the Social Democrats and the Liberal Party, are part of a coalition.
The 2022 elections were particularly significant for several reasons. Voter turnout was high in Denmark, though significantly lower in Greenland and the Faroe Islands. The elections were prompted by an ultimatum from the Social Liberals following a critical report on the government's handling of a mink cull during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the Social Democrats' electoral gains, other parties experienced mixed results. The Liberal Party suffered significant losses, losing more than 40% of its seats, while the newly formed Moderates, led by former Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen, became the third-largest party. Together with the blue bloc, the Moderates received more votes than the red bloc, but the distribution of seats, including those from Greenland, favoured the Social Democrats' coalition.
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Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, a veteran politician who has been active since her election to the Folketing in 2001, continues to lead the Danish government. In this new coalition, she has appointed political rivals to key positions, reflecting a reform-oriented bipartisan approach. Jakob Ellemann-Jensen of the Liberal Party now serves as deputy prime minister and defence minister, while Lars Løkke Rasmussen of the Moderates is the foreign minister. The coalition agreement required significant concessions from the Liberal Party and the Moderates, including dropping calls for an independent investigation into Frederiksen's role in the controversial mink cull. The new government also includes Nicolai Wammen as finance minister and introduces new ministerial roles to address climate policy and development cooperation, underscoring a broad agenda for governance and reform.
Danish government
Prime minister Metter Frederiksen
Photo: Socialdemokratiet
Alcohol consumption and trends
In Denmark, alcohol consumption remains a significant part of social life, but recent data indicates a downward trend in sales and consumption. In 2022, the average Dane over the age of 18 purchased 9.7 liters of pure alcohol, a decrease from 10.4 liters in 2021, matching the 2020 levels. This equates to an average of 12.4 alcoholic beverages per person per week in 2022, slightly down from 13.3 in 2021. In 2023, the decline continued, with sales data showing an average of 9.3 liters of pure alcohol purchased per person, or approximately 11.9 alcoholic drinks per week, according to Statistics Denmark.
Despite the reduction in sales, actual alcohol consumption is likely higher than reported figures, as these do not account for alcohol consumed abroad or purchases not recorded in official statistics. In total, 46 million liters of alcohol were sold in Danish stores in 2022, reflecting a broad but decreasing consumption pattern among the population. The Danish Health Authority's National Health Profile highlights that 15.7% of the adult population exceeds the recommended intake, consuming more than 10 drinks per week. This trend is more prevalent among men, with nearly one in four (23%) exceeding the limit, compared to 8.8% of women.
There are also concerns about alcohol misuse in Denmark. The latest figures from 2021 indicate that around 402,000 Danes show signs of moderate alcohol problems, and approximately 67,000 exhibit signs of severe issues. An earlier study from 2005 remains the most recent comprehensive estimate of harmful alcohol use and dependency, suggesting that about 620,000 Danes have a harmful level of consumption, and 147,000 are dependent on alcohol. These statistics highlight the need for continued public health interventions and awareness campaigns.
Additionally, 2023 saw a slight decline in alcohol sales across all categories: spirits decreased by 7.8%, beer by 5.3%, and wine by 0.9%. The reduction in cigarette sales has been more pronounced, dropping 5.1% compared to 2022 and down by 32% since 2018. This downward trend in alcohol and tobacco sales suggests a shift towards healthier consumption habits, but the high levels of alcohol-related health risks underscore the importance of addressing alcohol consumption more comprehensively.
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Legal age limit discussions
In recent years, Denmark has seen significant debate and legislative efforts regarding the legal alcohol age limit. Initially, the Danish government planned to raise the minimum legal age for purchasing all alcoholic beverages to 18 years, regardless of alcohol content or place of sale. As of now, individuals aged 16 and 17 can purchase alcohol products with an alcohol content below 16.5%—primarily beer and wine—from retail stores. For alcohol with a content higher than 16.5%, the minimum age is already set at 18. However, under the new proposal set forth in 2022, the age limit for all alcohol sales would become uniformly 18, aligning with the existing regulations for bars and restaurants.
Despite these proposed changes, the final agreement reached by the Danish government in November 2023 took a different approach. As part of a broader prevention plan targeting young people's use of alcohol and nicotine, the legal purchase age for alcohol products with an alcohol content above 6% was raised to 18 years. However, 16- and 17-year-olds will still be able to buy beer and alcopops with an alcohol content up to 6% from supermarkets or kiosks. This compromise was made to curb binge drinking and foster a culture less focused on excessive alcohol consumption. The prevention plan, supported by several political parties including the Social Democrats, Socialist People's Party, the Conservative People’s Party, and the Denmark Democrats, also includes raising prices on nicotine pouches and stricter controls on illegal sales.
The decision not to impose a uniform legal drinking age of 18 for all alcohol sales has sparked significant controversy. Some political parties, like the Radical Left, argue that this approach goes against evidence-based practices and the recommendations of health experts, including Denmark’s Health Authority. Surveys indicate that a majority of Danes support a stricter 18-year age limit for all alcohol sales. Still, some government officials believe that allowing controlled access to low-alcohol beverages may prevent youth from seeking riskier behaviors. As the debate continues, there remains a division between those advocating for stricter regulations to promote a healthier drinking culture and those who prefer more gradual changes paired with enhanced enforcement of existing laws.
Alcohol taxation
Denmark's alcohol taxation system is distinctively structured compared to other Nordic countries, reflecting a more liberal approach towards alcohol consumption. As of January 1st, 2020, Denmark's excise duties are notably lower than those of its Nordic neighbours. For example, the excise duty on spirits in Denmark is 20.1 euros per litre of 100% alcohol, which is significantly lower than in Norway (77 euros) and Iceland (105.5 euros). Similarly, Denmark imposes the lowest excise duty on beer among the Nordic countries, at just 6.5 euros per litre of pure alcohol, compared to Iceland's 32.2 euros. The value-added tax (VAT) on alcohol in Denmark is 25%, consistent with other Nordic countries, but unlike Finland and Iceland, Denmark does not impose a surtax on alcoholic beverages. This comparatively lenient taxation framework may contribute to lower alcohol prices in Denmark.
The latest data from the Danish Ministry of Taxation (Skatteministeriet) for 2024 reveals updated tax rates under the Spirit Tax Act (Spiritusafgiftsloven) and the Beer and Wine Tax Act (Øl- og vinafgiftsloven). The excise duty for spirits, including wine and fruit wine with an alcohol content above 22%, is set at 150 DKK per litre of 100% ethanol. For beer, the tax is 48.74 DKK per litre of pure alcohol, applicable to beverages with an alcohol content above 2.8%. Wines and fruit wines with an alcohol content between 1.2% and 22% are taxed at varying rates depending on their strength, ranging from 5.18 DKK per litre for wines with alcohol content up to 6% to 15.08 DKK per litre for fortified wines with alcohol content up to 22%. Additionally, an extra tax of 3.35 DKK per litre is imposed on sparkling wines and champagnes.
Denmark's tax policy also includes provisions to support local production. Small breweries producing up to 200,000 hectoliters annually are eligible for tax relief, provided they are legally and financially independent from other breweries.
Overall, Denmark’s alcohol tax structure, with its moderate excise duties and the absence of additional surtaxes, results in relatively lower alcohol prices compared to other Nordic countries. This approach is reflective of Denmark's more relaxed stance on alcohol consumption, balancing public health concerns with economic considerations and market competitiveness.
Alcohol availability
In Denmark, alcohol is widely perceived as easily accessible, especially by young people. A recent survey shows that 83.7% of respondents aged 15-24 believe it is "very easy" to obtain beer, with similar numbers for other low-alcohol beverages like cider. Even for stronger drinks like spirits, 65.5% of young Danes think they can access them without difficulty. This perception grows with age, as nearly all 18-24-year-olds report that acquiring alcohol is simple, compared to a lower but still significant percentage among 15-year-olds. Supermarkets are the primary source of alcohol, with 84.1% of youth purchasing it there, and only a small fraction (15.2%) turning to online retailers.
In response to these issues, Denmark has introduced a new prevention agreement, adopted in November 2023, aimed at curbing alcohol and nicotine consumption among young people. One of the most significant changes is that 16-17-year-olds will now only be able to purchase alcohol with a maximum strength of six percent. This represents a shift from the previous, more lenient policies, in a bid to reduce alcohol-related harm in this age group. Additionally, alcohol sales to people under 18 will be banned between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. in designated nightlife zones, which are areas with a high concentration of bars or during festivals.
To enforce these new regulations, the Danish government will also increase oversight and penalties. The Danish Safety Technology Authority will receive more funding to conduct age checks in shops, and young "control buyers" will be used to ensure proper enforcement. Penalties for illegal sales of alcohol and nicotine products will also be raised, with fines starting at DKK 50,000, and electronic age verification will be introduced for both online and physical stores.
These new measures also aim to reduce the appeal of alcohol and nicotine products to young people. Alcohol will no longer be displayed next to items like soft drinks or snacks in retail outlets, making it less tempting for young shoppers. By combining these restrictions with stronger enforcement, Denmark is taking a more proactive stance to limit youth access to alcohol and nicotine, creating a safer and healthier environment for future generations.
More information: Statens Institut for Folkesundhed report "A study
of young people's alcohol consumption, perception of availability and attitudes towards alcohol"
Alcohol advertising
Denmark has regulations in place to control alcohol advertising, particularly to protect children and young people. According to the Danish marketing law, any form of advertising for alcohol aimed directly or indirectly at individuals under 18 is prohibited. This includes public advertising near schools, youth centers, or other places where minors are likely to be present. Advertisements featuring alcohol cannot encourage dangerous or reckless behavior or create an association between alcohol and positive experiences like excitement or success when aimed at younger audiences.
The Alcohol Advertising Board (Alkoholreklamenævnet is self-regulatory body created by the alcohol industry) has specific guidelines to ensure responsible alcohol marketing. Alcohol ads must not promote excessive drinking, and any models or actors used in advertisements must be at least 25 years old to avoid giving the impression that young people drink alcohol. Moreover, alcohol ads are not allowed on platforms where over 30% of the audience is estimated to be under 18. These rules aim to limit the exposure of alcohol advertising to minors, although the guidelines are less restrictive than in other Nordic countries.
However, enforcement of these regulations has been a challenge. A 2017 report by Alkohol & Samfund documented that almost half of the examined nightclubs were marketing alcohol to individuals under 18. In 2023, the Danish Consumer Ombudsman filed legal complaints against six nightclubs for breaching advertising laws by targeting minors with alcohol promotions. These violations highlight the need for stricter enforcement and potential tightening of the existing rules to effectively reduce underage drinking in Denmark.