Danish parents of young children struggle to balance work and family life

More than half of Danish parents with young children say they lack time to manage both full-time work and family life, with women facing significantly greater pressure, according to a new survey by the Danish Association of Masters and PhDs.

The 2026 Forældrebarometer (Parents’ Barometer), conducted by Norstat among 1,018 Danes aged 20–59 with children under seven, found that 51 percent of parents feel they do not have enough time for work, family, and recovery. Among women, 61 percent report time shortages, compared to 39 percent of men.

“Both mothers and fathers feel pressured, but women still bear the heaviest burden,” said Janne Gleerup, chair of the Danish Association of Masters and PhDs. “They are far more likely to take sick days for children and struggle with guilt when balancing responsibilities.”

The survey also reveals that 80 percent of women typically care for sick children, compared to 60 percent of men. Over half of women find it difficult to arrange childcare in such situations, while fewer men report the same challenge.

Laust Høgedahl, a labour market researcher at Aalborg University, said the findings reflect a system not adapted to dual-career families. “Denmark has been successful in getting women into the workforce but has failed to adjust work structures for families where both parents work full-time,” he said.

Six in ten parents feel stressed trying to meet expectations at work and home, while 42 percent say work drains their energy for family life. Many call for solutions like part-time options (44 percent), shorter workweeks (over 50 percent), and flexible hours.

Gleerup warned that without systemic changes—such as political action to address work pressure—parents may face long-term consequences, including career pauses or increased stress. “This isn’t just an individual problem; it risks costly societal impacts,” she said.