Total waste generation in Denmark
Denmark: Total waste generation was 419,747 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Total waste generation in Denmark, 2004–2022
Source: United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total waste generation in Denmark is 419,747 tonnes, measured in 2022. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.
The figure is up 7.8% on the previous year and up 458.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total waste generation in Denmark peaked at 419,747 tonnes in 2022 and was at its lowest, 24,038 tonnes, in 2004.
Denmark ranks 25th of 62 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total waste generation in Denmark, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 24,038 tonnes | — |
| 2006 | 27,550 tonnes | +14.6% |
| 2008 | 40,731 tonnes | +47.8% |
| 2010 | 189,101 tonnes | +364.3% |
| 2012 | 75,225 tonnes | -60.2% |
| 2014 | 117,682 tonnes | +56.4% |
| 2016 | 201,648 tonnes | +71.3% |
| 2018 | 373,978 tonnes | +85.5% |
| 2020 | 389,498 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 419,747 tonnes | +7.8% |
Denmark compared with similar countries
- Denmark's 419,747 tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 293,977 tonnes, 1.4× the median. (39 countries reporting)
- Denmark's 419,747 tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 289,947 tonnes, 1.4× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 30,773 tonnes | 24,038 tonnes | 40,731 tonnes | 3 |
| 2010s | 191,527 tonnes | 75,225 tonnes | 373,978 tonnes | 5 |
| 2020s | 404,622 tonnes | 389,498 tonnes | 419,747 tonnes | 2 |
Countries ranked near Denmark
More environment data for Denmark
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -2.66 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -2.67 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.696 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.29 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -1.75 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate 0.0189 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total waste generation in Denmark?
- Total waste generation in Denmark was 419,747 tonnes in 2022, according to United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total waste generation recorded in Denmark?
- The highest recorded value was 419,747 tonnes in 2022.
- What is the lowest total waste generation recorded in Denmark?
- The lowest recorded value was 24,038 tonnes in 2004.
- How does Denmark rank for total waste generation?
- Denmark ranks 25th out of 62 countries with data for 2022.
- Is total waste generation rising or falling in Denmark?
- Over the last ten years it is up 458.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Denmark data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division and United Nations Environment Programme – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Total waste generation. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total waste generation, by activity (Tonnes).