Denmark vs Netherlands
Every indicator for Denmark and Netherlands side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | Denmark | Netherlands | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 6,009,169 | 18,087,633 | −66.8% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 463 | 1,333 | −65.3% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 76,970 | 73,684 | +4.5% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 82.3 | 82.0 | — |
| Area (km²) | 42,920 | 41,540 | +3.3% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 140 | 435 | −67.8% |
| Median age (years) | 42.0 | 42.2 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 99.8 | 97.0 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 5.5 | 3.9 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 1.9 | 3.3 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 88.8 | 95.9 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | 9,959 | 23,179 | −57.0% |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | 2.42 | 1.92 | +26.0% |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | 5.06 | 4.34 | +16.6% |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | 1,657 | 1,281 | +29.3% |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 15,000 | 41,000 | −63.4% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 2.5 | 2.3 | +10.1% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 0.49 | 0.42 | +16.7% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of Denmark relative to Netherlands; a positive value favors Denmark. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
Denmark is higher on 7 of the 12 indicators, while Netherlands leads on the remaining 5. The widest separation is in population density, about 3.1 times; they are closest on area.
Key differences
- Netherlands's population density (435) is about 3.1 times Denmark's (140).
- Netherlands's population (2025) (18,087,633) is about 3.0 times Denmark's (6,009,169).
- Netherlands's gdp (nominal) (1,333) is about 2.9 times Denmark's (463).
- Netherlands's armed forces personnel (2020) (41,000) is about 2.7 times Denmark's (15,000).
- Netherlands's military expenditure (2024) (23,179) is about 2.3 times Denmark's (9,959).
Frequently asked questions
Where do Denmark and Netherlands differ most?
In population density. Netherlands records 435 against Denmark's 140 — a ratio of roughly 3.1 to one.
Where are Denmark and Netherlands most alike?
In area, at 42,920 and 41,540 — a gap of only %3.3.
On how many indicators is Denmark ahead of Netherlands?
Denmark is higher on 7 of the 12 ratio-scale indicators and Netherlands on 5. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
DenmarkNetherlands
The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.
Related comparisons
Other comparisons involving Denmark or Netherlands.
Denmark profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Netherlands profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI