Denmark: a universal welfare system with restricted austerity

The Danish welfare state – as others – has undergone many types of change over the last 15–20 years. This includes austerity in parts of the welfare state, expansion in other parts, and also standstill in part of the welfare states’ tasks. Increasing inequality has been part of the development. There is still a focus on universalism, gender equality, and high levels of employment, while at the same time attitudes towards especially refugees and migrants have pushed the Danish welfare state in a more nativist direction. This helps to explain why restricted austerity can be seen as a good depiction of the development, as there is support for high levels of state intervention in long-term care and health care, but less so to income transfers to people not considered deserving. Still, the Danish welfare state compared to other countries in Europe spends more on welfare and has in general a higher level of taxes and duties.