Safest cities in Denmark
4 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in DenmarkTerrorist attacks in Denmark cannot be ruled out.
Crime
- Protecting yourself and your belongingsCrime levels are generally low, but pickpockets and bag-snatchers operate in crowded areas, mainly in Copenhagen.
Laws and cultural differences
- Dress codeIt’s illegal to wear clothing that conceals your face in a public place in Denmark. There are legal exemptions – for example, face masks for health reasons. If you cover your face in public, you may get a fine of 1,000 krone (around £115). If you do it again, the fine can increase.
- Illegal drugsIllegal drugs, including cannabis, are strictly prohibited, even in small quantities. Severe penalties apply for possessing, using, or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through airports.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex relationships and marriage are legal in Denmark.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Denmark, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s Denmark guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
- Bicycles and scootersMany bicycle accidents happen when pedestrians do not give the right of way to bicycles. There are online guides in English on cycling in Denmark at Visit Copenhagen and the Danish Cyclists’ Federation (’Cyklistforbundet’).
- Arctic travelGreenland is in the Arctic Circle, and most of it is very remote. Emergency medical assistance and search and rescue services are limited in these areas. See Arctic travel safety advice.
- GreenlandTravel between towns is by air, sea or dogsled only. Arctic weather can affect travel, and you should be prepared for delays and cancellations.
- The Faroe IslandsSmaller roads may be unpaved and winding.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Denmark, updated 2026-08-11 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 0.84 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 29.92023
- Human development
- HDI 0.9622023
- Income
- $85,460/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 3.7 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 79/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 91/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 89/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 1.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.94GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 7.5 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 100%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 4.5 doctors /1k2.4 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Drought
- 2.4/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Denmark (as of 2025).
How Denmark compares
| Measure | Denmark | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.8 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −1.5 /100k — better for Denmark |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 29.9 | 35.2 | −5.3 — better for Denmark |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.962 | 0.763 | +0.199 — better for Denmark |
| Road deaths | 3.7 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −11.7 /100k — better for Denmark |
| Rule of law | 91/100 | 52/100 | +39/100 — better for Denmark |
| Corruption perceptions | 89/100 | 39/100 | +50/100 — better for Denmark |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | −12.2 µg/m³ — better for Denmark |
| Natural-hazard risk | 1.5/10 | 3.8/10 | −2.3/10 — better for Denmark |
| Measure | Denmark | Europe median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 0.8 /100k | 1.0 /100k | −0.2 /100k — better for Denmark |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 29.9 | 30.7 | −0.8 — better for Denmark |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.962 | 0.907 | +0.055 — better for Denmark |
| Road deaths | 3.7 /100k | 5.8 /100k | −2.1 /100k — better for Denmark |
| Rule of law | 91/100 | 73/100 | +18/100 — better for Denmark |
| Corruption perceptions | 89/100 | 56/100 | +34/100 — better for Denmark |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 11.8 µg/m³ | −4.3 µg/m³ — better for Denmark |
| Natural-hazard risk | 1.5/10 | 2.5/10 | −1.0/10 — better for Denmark |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 4 cities, safest first
- Aarhus91.3 · #91 worldwide
- Odense84.1 · #415 worldwide
- Aalborg84.1 · #416 worldwide
- Copenhagen80.5 · #1839 worldwide