Denmark is centrally situated on one of Europe's most important traditional maritime trade routes, between other Scandinavian countries to the north, the Baltic Sea to the east and the West European mainland to the south.

Covering an area of 43,000 square kilometres, Denmark is well over 25 per cent larger than the Netherlands, or equivalent to just under one third of England. The country's population of 5.2 million people corresponds to the population of Yorkshire, in the UK. These figures do not include the semi-self-governing Faroe Islands and Greenland in the North Atlantic, with a total of approximately 100,000 inhabitants. This pamphlet deals only with issues in Denmark proper.

Up until the middle of the 20th century, Denmark was primarily an agricultural country with a large export of mainly agricultural products. Agriculture became a main force in the industrialization of the country through the processing of agricultural products for export.

Denmark is closely attached to the rest of Western Europe in matters relating to foreign policy and security policy as a member of NATO since 1949, and as a participant in the economic and political co-operation, since 1973, of what is now the European Union.

Political/Administrative Structure
Denmark is a constitutional monarchy. The legislative power is held by the Parliament, the "Folketing", which can also dismiss the government. Apart from the years 1982-92, government has since 1930 been exercised predominantly by changing centre coalitions. The country has three levels of public administration governed by elected bodies. The regional administration level is vested in 14 county councils, the local administration in 275 local/town councils.

Economy
The most important natural resource is farm land, whereas the nation, apart from oil and gas, almost entirely lacks industrial raw materials. The Danish industrial sector is dominated by many small and medium-sized enterprises, a high level of specialization in individual companies, and a high level of diversity in the total industrial production. This structure ensures that the industrial sector is very adaptable, but at the same time it places heavy demands on the level of qualifications of the labour force.

Foreign Trade
Denmark's exports amount to approximately 30 per cent of its GDP. The balance of payments has been positive since 1990. The most important trade partners are Germany, the UK, Sweden, the USA and Japan. The relatively high dependence on the export of highly processed products also demands a highly skilled labour force.

Labour Market
The Danish labour market is characterized by a high percentage of union and organization membership, among employers as well as among employees, and by stable and smooth collective agreements. The central role played by unions and other organizations in the labour market is reflected in the part they play in the system of vocational education and training, at all times guided by consensus.

Rate of Employment
For some years the rate of unemployment has been shown a downward tendency, and it is presently about 7.5 per cent with a slight downward tendency since 1993. The rate of employment for women is high: approximately 75 per cent of women of working age are attached to the labour market, and women represent 45 per cent of the total work force. In recent years there has been a considerable increase in the number of women in skilled trades.