Compare countries · Denmark vs Sweden
Denmark vs Sweden
Denmark(Europe)·
Sweden(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Denmark leads on 7, Sweden on 3, 3 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Denmark
78.9
Worse than 94% of countries
Sweden
68.0
Worse than 88% of countries
Sweden: 14% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Denmark
28.9
Worse than 87% of countries
Sweden
22.6
Worse than 76% of countries
Sweden: 22% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Denmark
1.29
Better than 99% of countries
Sweden
1.57
Better than 84% of countries
Denmark: more peaceful (1.29 vs 1.57).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Denmark
73.8
Better than 86% of countries
Sweden
52.1
Worse than 58% of countries
Denmark: higher perceived safety (73.8 vs 52.1).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Denmark
0.952
Better than 97% of countries
Sweden
0.952
Better than 97% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Denmark
$83,218
Better than 94% of countries
Sweden
$72,529
Better than 89% of countries
Denmark: 15% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Denmark
82.3 yrs
Better than 86% of countries
Sweden
84.1 yrs
Better than 96% of countries
Sweden: 1.8 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Denmark
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
Sweden
68.3
Better than 63% of countries
Denmark: better-rated healthcare (77.2 vs 68.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Denmark
288 Mbps
Better than 95% of countries
Sweden
208 Mbps
Better than 79% of countries
Denmark: 39% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Denmark
89/100
Better than 98% of countries
Sweden
88/100
Better than 97% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Denmark
7.54
Better than 98% of countries
Sweden
7.25
Better than 97% of countries
Denmark: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.54 vs 7.25).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Denmark
611
Better than 89% of countries
Sweden
609
Better than 88% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Denmark
81.2
Around the global middle
Sweden
65.0
Worse than 86% of countries
Denmark: more pleasant climate rating (81.2 vs 65.0).
Deciding between Denmark and Sweden for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Denmark profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Sweden profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.