Denmark: Still a Nordic Welfare State After the Changes of Recent Years?

Abstract

This article presents as a case analysis, mainly by using official Danish documents and national and Eurostat data, a picture of and reasons for the development in the Danish welfare state in recent years with the core focus after the start of the financial crisis in 2008. The analysis points to the fact that changes have taken place including more of a work-first approach and increasing pressure on those receiving social benefits, whereas with regard to investments in social services and social capital, this is still high on the agenda and continues, despite the crisis, to have a universal approach and focus.

The expected change in demography has particularly been used to explain some of the reasons for the changes, although the fiscal constraints on the welfare state have also played a role.

The Danish welfare state has seemingly also, in a gradual way, moved away from its strong focus on equality and generosity regarding welfare benefits, with the exception of pensions. At the same time the focus on core social services such as for children, the elderly and health care still seems to prevail. Increasing inequality has been part of the changes in the Danish welfare states in recent years.