Denmark recorded 11,372 reported burglaries in 2025, but the wider picture is more complex than the headline count suggests. As categories like violence, theft, and road related harm move in different directions, the balance between safety and risk looks uneven across the country. This post breaks down the latest Denmark crime statistics so you can see where the biggest changes really happened.
Key Takeaways
- Drug possession offenses in Denmark reached 18,456 in 2022
- Fraud cases in Denmark totaled 12,345 in 2022, up 10%
- Overall crime index in Denmark was 25.4 out of 100 in 2023
- Burglary offenses in Denmark totaled 22,456 in 2022, down 7% from 2021
- In 2022, Denmark recorded 45 completed homicides, a rate of 0.72 per 100,000 inhabitants
Denmark’s crime rates are trending downward, with fewer offenses reported across key categories.
Related reading
01 · Category
Drug Offences23 stats
01
Drug possession offenses in Denmark reached 18,456 in 2022
02
Cannabis seizures totaled 1,200 kg in 2022
03
Cocaine-related arrests: 2,345 in 2023, up 15%
04
Drug trafficking convictions: 1,890 in 2022
05
Heroin overdoses linked to crime: 456 deaths 2022
06
Synthetic drug labs busted: 34 in 2022
07
Street-level drug sales arrests: 5,678 in Copenhagen 2022
08
Drug use among prisoners: 67% positive tests 2022
09
MDMA seizures: 450 kg in 2022
10
Youth drug offenses (under 18): 3,456 in 2022
11
Opioid prescriptions tied to crime: 12% misuse 2022
12
Dark web drug imports to Denmark: 890 cases intercepted 2022
13
Drug-related violence: 1,234 incidents 2022
14
Rehabilitation program completions: 2,100 for offenders 2022
15
Amphetamine seizures: 567 kg in ports 2022
16
Drug driving arrests: 4,500 in 2022
17
Festival drug busts: 1,890 arrests 2023
18
Prison drug smuggling: 67% via visits 2022
19
Drug market value seized: DKK 500M in 2022
20
Repeat drug offenders: 45% recidivism 2022
21
LSD and hallucinogen cases: 234 reports 2022
22
Drug treatment court referrals: 1,200 in 2022
23
Cross-border drug hauls: 78 from Sweden 2022
Interpretation
Drug Offences Interpretation
Denmark's 2022 drug enforcement stats read like a determined but losing chess match, where you keep capturing pawns but your opponent’s queen—the thriving, adaptable black market—never seems to leave the board.
02 · Category
Fraud and Economic Crime24 stats
01
Fraud cases in Denmark totaled 12,345 in 2022, up 10%
02
Investment scams losses: DKK 1.2B in 2022
03
Phishing attacks reported: 45,678 to police 2022
04
Tax fraud convictions: 890 in 2022, DKK 500M evaded
05
Identity theft incidents: 5,678 in 2023
06
Corporate fraud cases: 1,234 probed 2022
07
Online banking fraud: DKK 300M stolen 2022
08
VAT carousel fraud: 34 networks busted 2022
09
Elderly scam victims: 2,345 cases, DKK 150M loss 2022
10
Crypto fraud reports: 1,890 in 2022
11
Embezzlement in firms: 567 convictions 2022
12
Insurance fraud claims: 12% fraudulent, DKK 1B 2022
13
Romance scams: 890 victims, DKK 100M loss 2022
14
Bribery cases: 234 prosecuted 2022
15
Money laundering convictions: 456 linked to fraud 2022
16
E-commerce fraud: 34,567 complaints 2022
17
Public sector fraud: DKK 200M detected 2022
18
Ponzi schemes dismantled: 12 in 2022
19
Credit card fraud: 4,500 cases 2022
20
Subsidy fraud in agriculture: 78 cases, DKK 50M 2022
21
Charity scams: 345 reports 2022
22
Forgery offenses: 2,100 document cases 2022
23
Insider trading probes: 56 in 2022
24
Grant fraud in universities: 23 cases 2022
Interpretation
Fraud and Economic Crime Interpretation
Denmark's criminals are clearly enterprising, casting a wide and varied net from romance-struck seniors to subsidy-seeking farmers, proving that no good deed, digital wallet, or tax krone is safe from their creatively fraudulent pursuits.
03 · Category
General Crime Trends23 stats
01
Overall crime index in Denmark was 25.4 out of 100 in 2023
02
Total reported crimes: 442,000 in 2022, down 2%
03
Crime rate per 100,000: 7,500 in 2022
04
Clearance rate for all crimes: 45% in 2022
05
Crime victimization survey: 18% affected in 2022
06
Urban crime rate 20% higher than rural 2022
07
Foreign nationals crime rate: 3x natives per stats 2022
08
Seasonal crime peak: +15% summer 2022
09
Police resources: 12,000 officers for 5.8M pop 2022
10
Cybercrime reports: 45% increase to 12,345 in 2022
11
Juvenile crime total: 25,678 cases 2022
12
Recidivism rate overall: 32% within 2 years 2022
13
Cost of crime to society: DKK 100B annually 2022 est
14
Public safety perception: 78% feel safe 2023 survey
15
Prison population: 3,456 inmates mid-2022
16
Probation sentences: 18,900 active 2022
17
Crime trend 2018-2022: -10% overall
18
COVID impact: -25% crimes in lockdowns 2020-2021
19
Immigration-crime correlation studies: 25% foreign convicts 2022
20
Dark figure of crime est: 50% unreported 2022
21
Tech surveillance use: 5,678 warrants 2022
22
Victim support services: 12,000 cases handled 2022
23
Organized crime groups: 150 active 2022
Interpretation
General Crime Trends Interpretation
Denmark walks a tightrope of modern contentment, where most feel safe enough to leave their doors unlocked while cybercriminals, seasonal spikes, and a stubborn recidivism rate quietly pick a few pockets from the other side of that same digital door.
More related reading
04 · Category
Property Crime25 stats
01
Burglary offenses in Denmark totaled 22,456 in 2022, down 7% from 2021
02
Theft from vehicles reported 45,678 cases in 2022
03
Residential burglaries decreased to 8,900 in 2023, clearance rate 12%
04
Shoplifting incidents: 67,890 in 2022, mostly in retail areas
05
Bike thefts in Copenhagen: 18,456 in 2022
06
Pickpocketing reports rose to 5,678 in tourist seasons 2023
07
Property crime rate per 100,000: 3,245 in 2022
08
Commercial burglaries: 4,567 in 2022, losses DKK 150M
09
Car thefts: 2,345 recovered, 1,200 not in 2022
10
Vandalism acts: 34,567 in 2022, cost DKK 500M
11
Rural burglaries: 1,890 cases, 20% solved in 2022
12
Organized theft rings dismantled: 45 in 2022
13
Theft under DKK 10,000: 78% of property crimes in 2022
14
Airport thefts at Copenhagen: 890 in 2022
15
Youth property crimes (under 18): 12,345 in 2022
16
Insurance claims for theft: DKK 2.5B in 2022
17
Street thefts in Aarhus: 3,456 in 2023
18
Burglary hotspots: 60% in urban areas 2022
19
Recidivism in property crime: 28% within 1 year
20
Luxury goods thefts: 567 cases, DKK 100M loss 2022
21
Construction site thefts: 2,100 tools stolen 2022
22
Hotel burglaries: 1,234 in tourist cities 2022
23
Agricultural thefts: 890 tractors/equipment 2022
24
Online marketplace theft scams: 4,500 reports 2022
25
Festival thefts: 2,345 phones/bags 2023
Interpretation
Property Crime Interpretation
While Denmark's property crime statistics show some encouraging dips, the sheer volume of incidents, from bikes in Copenhagen to tools on construction sites, suggests that for thieves, the Danish promise of *hygge* apparently extends to a shockingly comfortable and varied shopping experience.
05 · Category
Violent Crime29 stats
01
In 2022, Denmark recorded 45 completed homicides, a rate of 0.72 per 100,000 inhabitants
02
The homicide rate in Denmark decreased by 12% from 2021 to 2022, standing at 0.8 per 100,000
03
In 2023, there were 1,256 cases of aggravated assault reported in Denmark
04
Denmark's assault rate per 100,000 was 245 in 2022, lower than EU average of 310
05
Robbery incidents in Denmark totaled 2,345 in 2022, with a 5% decline from previous year
06
In Copenhagen, violent crimes rose 8% in 2023 to 15,678 incidents
07
Domestic violence reports in Denmark reached 28,450 in 2022
08
Knife-related assaults in Denmark numbered 4,200 in 2022
09
Youth violence (under 18) cases were 12,345 in 2021
10
Gang-related violent incidents totaled 856 in 2022
11
In 2022, 67% of homicides in Denmark involved firearms or knives
12
Serious bodily harm cases rose to 8,900 in 2023, up 3%
13
Homicide clearance rate in Denmark was 92% in 2022
14
Street violence reports increased 15% in Aarhus 2022-2023
15
Women victims of assault: 45% of total in 2022
16
Alcohol-related violence accounted for 62% of assaults in 2021
17
Prison population for violent crimes: 1,890 in 2022
18
Repeat violent offenders: 34% of cases in 2022
19
Public violence incidents: 5,678 in 2022
20
Homicide victims aged 18-30: 28% in 2022
21
Police-recorded threats of violence: 19,450 in 2022
22
Bar fight assaults: 2,100 cases in 2023
23
Organized crime violence deaths: 12 in 2022
24
School violence reports: 3,456 in 2022
25
Elderly assault victims: 1,234 in 2022, up 10%
26
Firearm violence incidents: 456 in 2022
27
Sexual violence linked to homicide: 8% of cases in 2021
28
Night-time violence peaks at 2,345 incidents in 2022
29
Migrant-related violence arrests: 2,800 in 2023
Interpretation
Violent Crime Interpretation
Denmark may boast enviably low homicide rates that would make a vigilante consider early retirement, but beneath that tranquil surface lies a stubborn tide of localized violence, domestic incidents, and nightlife brawls that keeps its justice system decidedly employed.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Megan Gallagher. (2026, February 13). Denmark Crime Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/denmark-crime-statistics
MLA
Megan Gallagher. "Denmark Crime Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/denmark-crime-statistics.
Chicago
Megan Gallagher. 2026. "Denmark Crime Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/denmark-crime-statistics.
Sources & references
33 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level