Average years of schooling in Denmark
Denmark: Average years of schooling was 11.69 years in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
11.69 years
World rank
25th
of 111 countries
All-time high
11.97 years
in 2010
All-time low
2.45 years
in 1870
Years of data
31
1870–2020
Average years of schooling in Denmark, 1870–2020
Source: Barro and Lee (2015); Lee and Lee (2016) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in years.
Analysis
Denmark recorded 11.69 years for average years of schooling in 2020.
The figure is down 2.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, average years of schooling in Denmark peaked at 11.97 years in 2010 and was at its lowest, 2.45 years, in 1870.
Denmark ranks 25th of 111 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Average years of schooling in Denmark, year by year
| Year | years | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 2.45 years | — |
| 1875 | 2.5 years | +2.0% |
| 1880 | 2.56 years | +2.4% |
| 1885 | 2.63 years | +2.7% |
| 1890 | 2.71 years | +3.0% |
| 1895 | 2.78 years | +2.6% |
| 1900 | 2.84 years | +2.2% |
| 1905 | 2.91 years | +2.5% |
| 1910 | 3.17 years | +8.9% |
| 1915 | 3.39 years | +6.9% |
| 1920 | 3.64 years | +7.4% |
| 1925 | 3.93 years | +8.0% |
| 1930 | 4.26 years | +8.4% |
| 1935 | 4.59 years | +7.7% |
| 1940 | 4.89 years | +6.5% |
| 1945 | 5.34 years | +9.2% |
| 1950 | 5.63 years | +5.4% |
| 1955 | 4.78 years | -15.1% |
| 1960 | 5.3 years | +10.9% |
| 1965 | 6.06 years | +14.3% |
| 1970 | 7.19 years | +18.6% |
| 1975 | 8.01 years | +11.4% |
| 1980 | 8.85 years | +10.5% |
| 1985 | 9.59 years | +8.4% |
| 1990 | 10.48 years | +9.3% |
| 1995 | 11.04 years | +5.3% |
| 2000 | 11.5 years | +4.2% |
| 2005 | 11.81 years | +2.7% |
| 2010 | 11.97 years | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 11.67 years | -2.5% |
| 2020 | 11.69 years | +0.2% |
Denmark compared with similar countries
- Denmark's 11.69 years is below the median for high income countries, which is 11.82 years, 99% of the median. (41 countries reporting)
- Denmark's 11.69 years is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 11.77 years, 99% of the median. (28 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1870s | 2.48 years | 2.45 years | 2.5 years | 2 |
| 1880s | 2.59 years | 2.56 years | 2.63 years | 2 |
| 1890s | 2.75 years | 2.71 years | 2.78 years | 2 |
| 1900s | 2.88 years | 2.84 years | 2.91 years | 2 |
| 1910s | 3.28 years | 3.17 years | 3.39 years | 2 |
| 1920s | 3.79 years | 3.64 years | 3.93 years | 2 |
| 1930s | 4.42 years | 4.26 years | 4.59 years | 2 |
| 1940s | 5.12 years | 4.89 years | 5.34 years | 2 |
| 1950s | 5.21 years | 4.78 years | 5.63 years | 2 |
| 1960s | 5.68 years | 5.3 years | 6.06 years | 2 |
| 1970s | 7.6 years | 7.19 years | 8.01 years | 2 |
| 1980s | 9.22 years | 8.85 years | 9.59 years | 2 |
| 1990s | 10.76 years | 10.48 years | 11.04 years | 2 |
| 2000s | 11.66 years | 11.5 years | 11.81 years | 2 |
| 2010s | 11.82 years | 11.67 years | 11.97 years | 2 |
| 2020s | 11.69 years | 11.69 years | 11.69 years | 1 |
Countries ranked near Denmark
More education data for Denmark
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 50,935 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 2,888 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 94,481 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 88,072 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 522,143 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 432,238 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.8558 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0723 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is average years of schooling in Denmark?
- Average years of schooling in Denmark was 11.69 years in 2020, according to Barro and Lee (2015); Lee and Lee (2016) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest average years of schooling recorded in Denmark?
- The highest recorded value was 11.97 years in 2010.
- What is the lowest average years of schooling recorded in Denmark?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.45 years in 1870.
- How does Denmark rank for average years of schooling?
- Denmark ranks 25th out of 111 countries with data for 2020.
- Is average years of schooling rising or falling in Denmark?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Denmark data come from?
- The figures come from Barro and Lee (2015); Lee and Lee (2016) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Average years of schooling. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Average years of formal education for individuals aged 15-64.