Denmark is a tiny nation in northern Europe consisting mostly of islands and a mainland attached to Germany. If you only listen to their endless self-bragging you could easily think that Denmark is heaven on earth. But facts and stories of people who have moved there tell a very different story.
Most Danes live in the illusion that Denmark is the best place on earth. However, most people who think so are those who haven’t been much outside the gates of their tiny kingdom. To illustrate that, let me give you an example. Once, Denmark was rated the happiest people in the world. Most Danes celebrated that despite the nation having a very low expectancy in Europe and very high consumption of both alcohol and anti-depressive medication. Fortunately, a local university got curious about how the Danes top the list of the happiest people in the world, despite the sad statistical facts. They researched it in depth and found that the Danes topped the list because they had the lowest expectations of life. They don’t expect to live long and healthy and don’t care about good food. They don’t care about having a great healthcare sector as they have the second lowest hospital capacity in the entire EU.
Don’t fall for Danish self-bragging
Most Danes still brag about their country. Mostly because they are brainwashed by media and politicians that Denmark is the best place on earth. Danish media are never critical of the Danish conditions. And politicians never look abroad to see if things could become better with inspiration from other countries.
Often, when I meet Danes at conferences around the world, they usually talk a lot about how things are done in Denmark. But they have no interest in listening to how things are done in other countries. That is because they assume Denmark and the Danes are doing things the only right way already.
Denmark and the EU
Denmark is a member of the EU. Not because they want to be a part of and learn from a big community. But only to get as much money out of the EU as possible. They have absolutely no problem with taking the money and at the same time complain about how bad the EU is. Danes love democracy, but they don’t understand why the EU isn’t run and ruled by the Danes.
I was (unfortunately) born in Denmark. I never liked being there, not even in my childhood. I think I realised at a pretty early age, that the danish self-perception was based on a scam that can only exist in tribal cultures.
Later in life, when I made it a career to study and change cultures and wrote my doctoral dissertation on that topic. I realised that Denmark actually is a typical tribal culture. Churchill came to the same conclusion 70 years earlier when he said that “Denmark is not a nation but a tribe”.
Are considering moving to Denmark after having listened to the self-bragging Danes? Then here are my 10 reasons why you shouldn’t move there.
10 reasons why you don’t want to live in Denmark
You will struggle to enter Danish social circles. Danes mostly spend time with long-term friends they’ve known for years.
They might be polite in public, but deeper connections are rare. Expect friendly distance, not inclusion or intimacy.
It’s easy to feel lonely, especially if you don’t drink as much alcohol as Danes typically do.
Alcohol is their main social lubricant. If you don’t join in, you risk being excluded very quickly.
Don’t expect Danes to show genuine interest in your background or values. Curiosity is not a strong trait here.
They might ask where you’re from, but only to assert how much better Denmark and Danes supposedly are.
Don’t expect them to listen to your perspective or learn from your experiences. Most aren’t open to that.
Danes often claim to love freedom. In practice, they prefer state control and widespread regulation in everyday life.
Over half the adult population works in the public sector. Most of them are involved in regulation and control. They love their digital infrastructure. Not for efficiency, but because it allows for detailed surveillance of all citizens.
Your CPR number is used for everything. This makes it easy to track all your personal activities in Denmark. Danes don’t mind this. In fact, many seem to love it. Outsiders often find it oppressive or disturbing.
Good luck!!
The most accurate description of Denmark I have ever read. It could have been written by me.
I have suffered Denmark for 30 years. No social life, no hope. Nothing but severe depression and poor mental health.
Amen to all the above
Couldn’t have put it better myself
Thanks for this precise summary. These are the reasons while we are also going to leave Denmark after 8 years.
Thank you for the article, there are so much more to be added. Radon, soil and tap water polution, lack of nature, the way kindergardens and schools operate with extreme lack of personnel, health care system that has no prevention programs neither for grown up or kids and many more issues that they do not see as issues..