Denmark’s co-housing units now total 18,000 but remain unevenly distributed

A new report shows Denmark now has 18,000 co-housing units across 613 communities, though their share of the national housing stock remains small and varies sharply by region, according to public broadcaster DR.

The number of co-housing units—known locally as bofællesskaber—has nearly doubled in the past six years, according to research from BUILD at Aalborg University. While these communities still represent just 0.64 percent of Denmark’s total housing, growth has accelerated rapidly.

Development is concentrated in areas 40 to 100 kilometres outside the country’s four largest cities: Copenhagen, Aarhus, Aalborg, and Odense. Senior researcher Jesper Ole Jensen attributes this trend to demographic shifts, noting that while urbanisation continues, many still seek space, gardens, and proximity to nature without moving too far from city centres.

Region Sjælland leads in adoption, with nearly one in ten new homes built between 2019 and 2024 part of a co-housing project. In contrast, Region Nordjylland has the lowest share, with under one percent of new housing in such communities.