The Danish construction industry influences jobs, housing supply, and investment nationwide—from residential building to civil engineering and non-residential projects. As you explore the data, you’ll see how real output grew in 2023, what building permits and floor area signal for demand, and how costs move through materials, wages, and new dwelling prices. The page also covers workforce shifts and sustainability, including emissions, recycling, and energy performance.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the Danish construction industry's total output value was 284.6 billion DKK, representing 9.8% of Denmark's GDP
- The construction sector grew by 5.3% in real terms in 2023 compared to 2022, driven by residential building activity
- Denmark's construction production index stood at 112.4 points in Q4 2023 (2015=100), up 2.1% year-over-year
- Number of full-time equivalent employees in construction was 192,400 in 2022
- Employment in construction grew 1.8% to 195,200 persons in 2023
- 28.4% of construction workforce were under 35 years old in 2022, indicating youth influx
- Construction cost index rose 6.2% in 2023 to 142.1 (2015=100)
- Material costs for construction increased 8.4% YoY in Q4 2023, led by steel and cement
- Average price per m² for new dwellings was 28,400 DKK in 2022, up 7.1%
- Total number of building permits issued in Denmark was 58,200 in 2022 for residential units
- Permitted gross floor area for dwellings increased 7.4% to 4.2 million m² in 2023
- 12,400 permits for non-residential buildings in 2022, valued at 45.6 billion DKK
- 42% of new buildings in 2022 achieved DGNB gold certification
- CO2 emissions from construction sector totaled 4.2 million tons in 2022, down 8% from 2020
- 76% of construction waste recycled in 2023, exceeding EU target of 70%
In 2023 Denmark’s construction sector grew on residential demand, with rising costs, more permits, and greener outcomes.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Indicators20 stats
01
In 2022, the Danish construction industry's total output value was 284.6 billion DKK, representing 9.8% of Denmark's GDP
02
The construction sector grew by 5.3% in real terms in 2023 compared to 2022, driven by residential building activity
03
Denmark's construction production index stood at 112.4 points in Q4 2023 (2015=100), up 2.1% year-over-year
04
Export value from Danish construction services reached 12.7 billion DKK in 2022, a 8.4% increase from prior year
05
Investment in construction fixed assets totaled 167.2 billion DKK in 2022, comprising 18% of total gross fixed capital formation
06
Residential construction turnover was 112.4 billion DKK in 2022, accounting for 39.5% of total sector turnover
07
Non-residential building construction value added 78.3 billion DKK in 2021
08
Civil engineering works output grew 6.7% to 92.1 billion DKK in 2023
09
Construction sector's gross value added increased by 4.8% to 198.7 billion DKK in 2022
10
Productivity in Danish construction rose 2.2% in 2022 to 1.45 million DKK per full-time employee
11
Hourly labor costs in construction averaged 345 DKK in 2022, up 4.1% from 2021
12
Construction industry's contribution to Denmark's trade balance was +5.2 billion DKK in 2022 from services
13
Forecasted growth for Danish construction in 2024 is 3.1%, led by infrastructure projects
14
Total construction orders backlog stood at 156 billion DKK end of 2023
15
Sector's R&D expenditure was 2.1 billion DKK in 2022, or 0.7% of turnover
16
Economic Indicators: Construction GDP share stable at 9.8% in 2023
17
Economic Indicators: Sector turnover per employee 1.48 million DKK in 2023
18
Economic Indicators: Private investment in construction 134 billion DKK 2023
19
Economic Indicators: Construction import value 67.3 billion DKK 2022
20
Economic Indicators: Profit margin average 4.2% for construction firms 2023
Interpretation
Economic Indicators Interpretation
For the Economic Indicators in Denmark’s construction industry, the sector not only delivered 284.6 billion DKK in output in 2022 equal to 9.8% of GDP but also expanded 5.3% in real terms in 2023, with residential building keeping a dominant role as turnover reached 112.4 billion DKK.
02 · Category
Employment Statistics20 stats
01
Number of full-time equivalent employees in construction was 192,400 in 2022
02
Employment in construction grew 1.8% to 195,200 persons in 2023
03
28.4% of construction workforce were under 35 years old in 2022, indicating youth influx
04
Female employment in construction reached 12.7% of total workforce in 2023, up from 11.2% in 2020
05
Average working hours per week in construction were 37.2 hours in 2022
06
Unemployment rate in construction sector was 3.4% in 2023, below national average of 4.8%
07
45,600 self-employed individuals in construction in 2022, representing 23.4% of total employment
08
Vocational training apprentices in construction numbered 18,200 in 2023
09
Foreign workers comprised 22.1% of construction labor force in 2022, mainly from Poland and Romania
10
Labor shortage affected 67% of construction firms in 2023 survey
11
Average age of construction workers was 42.3 years in 2022
12
Part-time employment in construction was 8.4% of workforce in 2023
13
Wage growth in construction was 4.7% in 2023, averaging 512,000 DKK annually
14
15,300 new hires in construction in Q1 2024, up 12% YoY
15
Union membership rate in construction stood at 76.2% in 2022
16
Employment Statistics: Construction jobs vacancy rate 4.2% in Q1 2024
17
Employment Statistics: Immigrants' employment share 19.5% in construction 2023
18
Employment Statistics: Skilled craftsmen shortage 12,400 positions 2023
19
Employment Statistics: Overtime hours average 2.4/week in construction 2022
20
Employment Statistics: Training participation rate 24% of workforce 2022
Interpretation
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Employment statistics for Denmark’s construction sector show steady growth, with employment rising 1.8% to 195,200 persons in 2023 and unemployment staying low at 3.4%, suggesting improving hiring conditions alongside youth participation of 28.4% under age 35 in 2022.
03 · Category
Material And Cost Metrics20 stats
01
Construction cost index rose 6.2% in 2023 to 142.1 (2015=100)
02
Material costs for construction increased 8.4% YoY in Q4 2023, led by steel and cement
03
Average price per m² for new dwellings was 28,400 DKK in 2022, up 7.1%
04
Wage component in construction costs was 42.3% in 2023
05
Cement consumption in construction totaled 2.8 million tons in 2022
06
Steel usage in Danish construction: 1.45 million tons in 2023, up 3.2%
07
Energy costs for construction sites averaged 15% of total costs in 2022
08
Tender price inflation for infrastructure was 5.8% in 2023
09
Wood import for construction: 4.2 million m³ in 2022, 78% from Sweden
10
Asphalt production for roads: 7.6 million tons in 2023
11
Electrical installation costs per m² averaged 2,450 DKK in 2022
12
Plumbing and HVAC cost index up 7.9% to 138.2 in 2023
13
Cost overrun average for public projects: 12.4% in 2022
14
Rental rates for construction equipment rose 6.1% to 1,200 DKK/day average in 2023
15
Share of prefabricated elements in costs: 28% in residential builds 2023
16
Material and Cost Metrics: Concrete price index up 9.1% to 145.6 in 2023
17
Material and Cost Metrics: Insulation material costs +10.2% YoY 2023
18
Material and Cost Metrics: Paint and coatings index 137.8 up 5.4% 2023
19
Material and Cost Metrics: Glass price increase 7.3% to avg 1,200 DKK/m² 2023
20
Material and Cost Metrics: Roof tile costs +6.8% avg 450 DKK/m² 2023
Interpretation
Material And Cost Metrics Interpretation
Material and cost pressures are clearly building in Denmark’s construction sector as 2023 construction costs rose 6.2% with materials up 8.4% YoY in Q4 2023, while steel and cement-led increases push the material share alongside a wage component of 42.3%.
More related reading
04 · Category
Project And Permit Data22 stats
01
Total number of building permits issued in Denmark was 58,200 in 2022 for residential units
02
Permitted gross floor area for dwellings increased 7.4% to 4.2 million m² in 2023
03
12,400 permits for non-residential buildings in 2022, valued at 45.6 billion DKK
04
Civil engineering permits totaled 1,850 in 2023, covering 2.8 million m²
05
Residential completions reached 32,100 units in 2022, up 4.2% from 2021
06
New dwelling permits per 1,000 inhabitants were 9.8 in 2023, highest in Copenhagen region
07
Renovation and extension permits numbered 145,600 in 2022
08
Infrastructure projects under permit in 2023 included 450 km of roads
09
Housing starts for apartments were 22,400 in 2022, 70% of total starts
10
Demolition permits issued for 4,200 buildings in 2023
11
Public sector construction permits valued 28.7 billion DKK in 2022
12
Wind farm construction permits: 15 new onshore projects in 2023
13
Average permit processing time was 112 days in 2022 for residential
14
67% of permits in 2023 were for energy-efficient buildings class A/B
15
Multi-family housing permits dominated with 65% share in 2022
16
Bridge and tunnel projects: 5 major permits issued in 2023 totaling 12 billion DKK
17
Student housing permits: 3,200 beds approved in 2022
18
Project and Permit Data: 2,100 hotel permits issued in 2022
19
Project and Permit Data: Industrial building permits 890 in 2023, 1.2 mil m²
20
Project and Permit Data: School building permits valued 8.2 billion DKK 2022
21
Project and Permit Data: Retail space permits 650,000 m² 2023
22
Project and Permit Data: Hospital expansions 12 permits 4.5 bil DKK 2023
Interpretation
Project And Permit Data Interpretation
Project and permit data show strong momentum in Danish housing, with permitted dwelling floor area rising 7.4% to 4.2 million m² in 2023 and residential completions reaching 32,100 units in 2022, alongside record new dwelling permits of 9.8 per 1,000 inhabitants in the Copenhagen region.
05 · Category
Sustainability And Regulation20 stats
01
42% of new buildings in 2022 achieved DGNB gold certification
02
CO2 emissions from construction sector totaled 4.2 million tons in 2022, down 8% from 2020
03
76% of construction waste recycled in 2023, exceeding EU target of 70%
04
Energy consumption in new buildings reduced 25% since 2010 per m²
05
15,200 solar panels installed on construction sites/roofs in 2022, generating 120 MW
06
Low-emission zones compliance: 89% of construction vehicles in 2023
07
Biodiversity measures in 45% of new infrastructure projects 2022
08
Water usage in construction down 18% to 12 liters/m³ concrete in 2023
09
62% of firms adopted BIM for sustainability tracking in 2023 survey
10
Rainwater harvesting mandatory in 32% of new urban projects 2022
11
Carbon footprint labeling required for 78% of public tenders in 2023
12
Modular construction share rose to 22% in 2023, reducing waste by 30%
13
Green roofs implemented in 18% of new buildings 2022, covering 450,000 m²
14
Compliance with BR18 energy standards: 92% of permits in 2023
15
Offshore wind construction: 1.3 GW capacity permitted in 2023
16
Sustainability and Regulation: 55% reduction target met for construction emissions by 2030 progress at 28% in 2023
17
Sustainability and Regulation: 81% of projects used recycled aggregates in 2022
18
Sustainability and Regulation: Heat pump installations in new builds 95% in 2023
19
Sustainability and Regulation: Timber construction share 15% up from 9% in 2020
20
Sustainability and Regulation: EV charging stations in 68% new parking projects 2023
Interpretation
Sustainability And Regulation Interpretation
In Denmark’s construction sector, sustainability and regulation are translating into measurable progress, with 76% of construction waste recycled in 2023 and 89% of vehicles complying with low-emission zone rules while CO2 emissions fell 8% from 2020 to 2022.
report visual · Key figures
Danish construction: growth and outlook
Growth picked up from 2022 into 2023, and a positive 2024 forecast points to continued momentum driven by key segments and infrastructure activity.
5.3%
The construction sector grew by 5.3% in real terms in 2023 compared to 2022, driven by residential building activity
2.1%
Denmark's construction production index stood at 112.4 points in Q4 2023 (2015=100), up 2.1% year-over-year
3.1%
Forecasted growth for Danish construction in 2024 is 3.1%, led by infrastructure projects
9.8%
Economic Indicators: Construction GDP share stable at 9.8% in 2023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Isabelle Moreau. (2026, February 13). Danish Construction Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/danish-construction-industry-statistics
MLA
Isabelle Moreau. "Danish Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/danish-construction-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Isabelle Moreau. 2026. "Danish Construction Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/danish-construction-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
18 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level