DENMARK

Denmark is becoming increasingly competitive within the international market in spite its relatively small share. The Danish economy is extremely open which is demonstrated by the fact that trade counts for more than 2/3 of the GDP. Therefore, Denmark has over the last decade made an effort to liberalize the world trade via organizations such as WTO, OECD and EU. The greatest importers of Danish goods and services are Germany, Sweden and Great Britain, who accumulated accounts for approx. 40 % of Danish export.

In spite of Denmark membership of the EU, the national currency remains the Danish crown. However, to ensure economic stability an agreement of a fixed exchange rate has been performed, which signifies that the fluctuation from the euro is maximum allowed at a 2, 25 %.

Denmark unites the past and the present by being the oldest monarchy in the world as well as politically consisting of a modern democracy. Thus, it is considered a constitutional democracy. The current queen Magrethe II has been leading the nation since 1972.

Regarding the nation’s general perception and ideas of a society are based on the 1700’s perception of all humans being born equal and free. This later developed into an acceptance of free election in 1849. Since 1978 the legal age for voting has been 18 years old.