Life expectancy by sex in Denmark
Denmark: Life expectancy by sex was 83.85 years in 2023. ▲ Rising
Latest (2023)
83.85 years
Change on year
up 0.8%
World rank
39th
of 236 countries
All-time high
83.85 years
in 2023
All-time low
39.87 years
in 1853
Years of data
189
1835–2023
Life expectancy by sex in Denmark, 1835–2023
Source: Human Mortality Database (2025); UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in years.
Analysis
Denmark recorded 83.85 years for life expectancy by sex in 2023. That is the highest value across all 189 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.8% on the previous year and up 1.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, life expectancy by sex in Denmark peaked at 83.85 years in 2023 and was at its lowest, 39.87 years, in 1853.
Denmark ranks 39th of 236 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 189 years of available data.
Life expectancy by sex in Denmark, year by year
| Year | years | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1835 | 40.25 years | — |
| 1836 | 41.65 years | +3.5% |
| 1837 | 43.11 years | +3.5% |
| 1838 | 44.41 years | +3.0% |
| 1839 | 42.71 years | -3.8% |
| 1840 | 42.39 years | -0.7% |
| 1841 | 43.56 years | +2.8% |
| 1842 | 44.11 years | +1.3% |
| 1843 | 45.16 years | +2.4% |
| 1844 | 45.19 years | +0.1% |
| 1845 | 44.65 years | -1.2% |
| 1846 | 41.67 years | -6.7% |
| 1847 | 41.69 years | +0.0% |
| 1848 | 42.32 years | +1.5% |
| 1849 | 41.61 years | -1.7% |
| 1850 | 45.18 years | +8.6% |
| 1851 | 46.22 years | +2.3% |
| 1852 | 44.43 years | -3.9% |
| 1853 | 39.87 years | -10.3% |
| 1854 | 46.27 years | +16.1% |
| 1855 | 47.12 years | +1.8% |
| 1856 | 47.84 years | +1.5% |
| 1857 | 43.41 years | -9.3% |
| 1858 | 41.06 years | -5.4% |
| 1859 | 45.63 years | +11.1% |
| 1860 | 45.96 years | +0.7% |
| 1861 | 49.01 years | +6.6% |
| 1862 | 48.5 years | -1.0% |
| 1863 | 48.52 years | +0.0% |
| 1864 | 41.47 years | -14.5% |
| 1865 | 40.78 years | -1.7% |
| 1866 | 43.64 years | +7.0% |
| 1867 | 45.82 years | +5.0% |
| 1868 | 46.45 years | +1.4% |
| 1869 | 46.77 years | +0.7% |
| 1870 | 46.98 years | +0.4% |
| 1871 | 46.98 years | +0.0% |
| 1872 | 48.12 years | +2.4% |
| 1873 | 48.18 years | +0.1% |
| 1874 | 47.4 years | -1.6% |
| 1875 | 45.45 years | -4.1% |
| 1876 | 46.83 years | +3.0% |
| 1877 | 48.34 years | +3.2% |
| 1878 | 48.33 years | -0.0% |
| 1879 | 47.34 years | -2.0% |
| 1880 | 45.75 years | -3.4% |
| 1881 | 49.28 years | +7.7% |
| 1882 | 47.63 years | -3.3% |
| 1883 | 49.58 years | +4.1% |
| 1884 | 49.37 years | -0.4% |
| 1885 | 50.84 years | +3.0% |
| 1886 | 49.8 years | -2.0% |
| 1887 | 49.65 years | -0.3% |
| 1888 | 47.63 years | -4.1% |
| 1889 | 49.13 years | +3.1% |
| 1890 | 48.43 years | -1.4% |
| 1891 | 47.88 years | -1.1% |
| 1892 | 48.84 years | +2.0% |
| 1893 | 48.3 years | -1.1% |
| 1894 | 50.55 years | +4.7% |
| 1895 | 52.2 years | +3.3% |
| 1896 | 54.56 years | +4.5% |
| 1897 | 53.38 years | -2.2% |
| 1898 | 54.59 years | +2.3% |
| 1899 | 52.43 years | -4.0% |
| 1900 | 53.57 years | +2.2% |
| 1901 | 54.56 years | +1.8% |
| 1902 | 56.22 years | +3.0% |
| 1903 | 56.39 years | +0.3% |
| 1904 | 57.43 years | +1.8% |
| 1905 | 55.78 years | -2.9% |
| 1906 | 57.99 years | +4.0% |
| 1907 | 57.49 years | -0.9% |
| 1908 | 56.38 years | -1.9% |
| 1909 | 58.87 years | +4.4% |
| 1910 | 59.64 years | +1.3% |
| 1911 | 58.68 years | -1.6% |
| 1912 | 59.36 years | +1.2% |
| 1913 | 60.12 years | +1.3% |
| 1914 | 60.11 years | -0.0% |
| 1915 | 59.89 years | -0.4% |
| 1916 | 58.54 years | -2.3% |
| 1917 | 58.49 years | -0.1% |
| 1918 | 57.28 years | -2.1% |
| 1919 | 57.71 years | +0.8% |
| 1920 | 58.47 years | +1.3% |
| 1921 | 62.44 years | +6.8% |
| 1922 | 61.36 years | -1.7% |
| 1923 | 62.06 years | +1.1% |
| 1924 | 62.08 years | +0.0% |
| 1925 | 62.68 years | +1.0% |
| 1926 | 62.55 years | -0.2% |
| 1927 | 61.88 years | -1.1% |
| 1928 | 62.76 years | +1.4% |
| 1929 | 62.77 years | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 63.19 years | +0.7% |
| 1931 | 62.9 years | -0.5% |
| 1932 | 63.44 years | +0.9% |
| 1933 | 64.45 years | +1.6% |
| 1934 | 65.17 years | +1.1% |
| 1935 | 63.86 years | -2.0% |
| 1936 | 64.54 years | +1.1% |
| 1937 | 65.16 years | +1.0% |
| 1938 | 66.07 years | +1.4% |
| 1939 | 66.93 years | +1.3% |
| 1940 | 67.23 years | +0.4% |
| 1941 | 67.06 years | -0.3% |
| 1942 | 68.14 years | +1.6% |
| 1943 | 68.42 years | +0.4% |
| 1944 | 67.4 years | -1.5% |
| 1945 | 67.21 years | -0.3% |
| 1946 | 68.15 years | +1.4% |
| 1947 | 69.65 years | +2.2% |
| 1948 | 71.47 years | +2.6% |
| 1949 | 71.4 years | -0.1% |
| 1950 | 71.53 years | +0.2% |
| 1951 | 72.15 years | +0.9% |
| 1952 | 72.15 years | -0.0% |
| 1953 | 72.47 years | +0.5% |
| 1954 | 72.81 years | +0.5% |
| 1955 | 73.46 years | +0.9% |
| 1956 | 73.71 years | +0.3% |
| 1957 | 73.48 years | -0.3% |
| 1958 | 74.03 years | +0.7% |
| 1959 | 73.88 years | -0.2% |
| 1960 | 73.99 years | +0.2% |
| 1961 | 74.38 years | +0.5% |
| 1962 | 74.44 years | +0.1% |
| 1963 | 74.48 years | +0.1% |
| 1964 | 74.8 years | +0.4% |
| 1965 | 74.65 years | -0.2% |
| 1966 | 74.79 years | +0.2% |
| 1967 | 75.36 years | +0.8% |
| 1968 | 75.58 years | +0.3% |
| 1969 | 75.7 years | +0.2% |
| 1970 | 75.92 years | +0.3% |
| 1971 | 76.16 years | +0.3% |
| 1972 | 76.22 years | +0.1% |
| 1973 | 76.53 years | +0.4% |
| 1974 | 76.82 years | +0.4% |
| 1975 | 77.01 years | +0.2% |
| 1976 | 76.7 years | -0.4% |
| 1977 | 77.67 years | +1.3% |
| 1978 | 77.43 years | -0.3% |
| 1979 | 77.4 years | -0.0% |
| 1980 | 77.18 years | -0.3% |
| 1981 | 77.36 years | +0.2% |
| 1982 | 77.65 years | +0.4% |
| 1983 | 77.55 years | -0.1% |
| 1984 | 77.63 years | +0.1% |
| 1985 | 77.48 years | -0.2% |
| 1986 | 77.54 years | +0.1% |
| 1987 | 77.79 years | +0.3% |
| 1988 | 77.64 years | -0.2% |
| 1989 | 77.76 years | +0.2% |
| 1990 | 77.73 years | -0.0% |
| 1991 | 77.98 years | +0.3% |
| 1992 | 77.97 years | -0.0% |
| 1993 | 77.77 years | -0.3% |
| 1994 | 78.09 years | +0.4% |
| 1995 | 77.84 years | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 78.26 years | +0.5% |
| 1997 | 78.47 years | +0.3% |
| 1998 | 78.88 years | +0.5% |
| 1999 | 78.89 years | +0.0% |
| 2000 | 79.12 years | +0.3% |
| 2001 | 79.21 years | +0.1% |
| 2002 | 79.34 years | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 79.74 years | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 80.11 years | +0.5% |
| 2005 | 80.44 years | +0.4% |
| 2006 | 80.51 years | +0.1% |
| 2007 | 80.53 years | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 80.91 years | +0.5% |
| 2009 | 81.03 years | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 81.34 years | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 81.82 years | +0.6% |
| 2012 | 82.04 years | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 82.3 years | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 82.66 years | +0.4% |
| 2015 | 82.68 years | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 82.79 years | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 83.12 years | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 82.96 years | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 83.42 years | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 83.5 years | +0.1% |
| 2021 | 83.3 years | -0.2% |
| 2022 | 83.17 years | -0.2% |
| 2023 | 83.85 years | +0.8% |
Denmark compared with similar countries
- Denmark's 83.85 years is above the median for high income countries, which is 83.13 years, 1.0× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- Denmark's 83.85 years is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 82.57 years, 1.0× the median. (56 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1830s | 42.43 years | 40.25 years | 44.41 years | 5 |
| 1840s | 43.23 years | 41.61 years | 45.19 years | 10 |
| 1850s | 44.7 years | 39.87 years | 47.84 years | 10 |
| 1860s | 45.69 years | 40.78 years | 49.01 years | 10 |
| 1870s | 47.39 years | 45.45 years | 48.34 years | 10 |
| 1880s | 48.87 years | 45.75 years | 50.84 years | 10 |
| 1890s | 51.12 years | 47.88 years | 54.59 years | 10 |
| 1900s | 56.47 years | 53.57 years | 58.87 years | 10 |
| 1910s | 58.98 years | 57.28 years | 60.12 years | 10 |
| 1920s | 61.9 years | 58.47 years | 62.77 years | 10 |
| 1930s | 64.57 years | 62.9 years | 66.93 years | 10 |
| 1940s | 68.61 years | 67.06 years | 71.47 years | 10 |
| 1950s | 72.97 years | 71.53 years | 74.03 years | 10 |
| 1960s | 74.81 years | 73.99 years | 75.7 years | 10 |
| 1970s | 76.79 years | 75.92 years | 77.67 years | 10 |
| 1980s | 77.56 years | 77.18 years | 77.79 years | 10 |
| 1990s | 78.19 years | 77.73 years | 78.89 years | 10 |
| 2000s | 80.1 years | 79.12 years | 81.03 years | 10 |
| 2010s | 82.51 years | 81.34 years | 83.42 years | 10 |
| 2020s | 83.46 years | 83.17 years | 83.85 years | 4 |
Countries ranked near Denmark
- 36 Belgium 84.33 years compare
- 37 Austria 84.32 years compare
- 38 United Arab Emirates 84.2 years compare
- 40 Saint Martin (French part) 83.84 years compare
- 41 Luxembourg 83.84 years compare
- 42 New Zealand 83.77 years compare
More population data for Denmark
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1645 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.1264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.61 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.1264 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.1% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 261,283 people (2100)
- Population density 146.58 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.1% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2287 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 0.4223 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is life expectancy by sex in Denmark?
- Life expectancy by sex in Denmark was 83.85 years in 2023, according to Human Mortality Database (2025); UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest life expectancy by sex recorded in Denmark?
- The highest recorded value was 83.85 years in 2023.
- What is the lowest life expectancy by sex recorded in Denmark?
- The lowest recorded value was 39.87 years in 1853.
- How does Denmark rank for life expectancy by sex?
- Denmark ranks 39th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is life expectancy by sex rising or falling in Denmark?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Denmark data come from?
- The figures come from Human Mortality Database (2025); UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Life expectancy by sex. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Period life expectancy at birth among females, in a given year.