Unemployment rose slightly in June

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose in June by 300 full-time equivalents to 93,500, continuing a weakly upward trend, the Danish Agency for Labour Market and Recruitment reported on Monday.

The June figure translates to an unemployment rate of 3.1 percent. Of the total, 78,100 were receiving unemployment benefits and 15,400 were on cash benefits.

Since autumn 2025 the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has risen gradually, increasing by 6,200 over the past year. Employment has grown more sharply in the same period, reflecting a rising labour force driven by both older workers postponing retirement and continued inward migration of foreign workers.

Employment rose by about 32,000 over the past year, the agency said.

“The labour market remains strong,” said Jesper Grunnet-Lauridsen, chief analyst at the 3F union. He cited recent layoffs in large companies and the arrival of Ukrainian refugees as factors behind the increase in unemployment.

“Unemployment remains low by historical standards, and experience shows the Danish labour market is resilient even during periods of heightened uncertainty,” he said. “We therefore expect low unemployment to continue through 2026, while closely monitoring energy prices, interest rates and the international economy.”

Seasonal adjustment is a statistical method that removes regular, recurring fluctuations from time series to reveal underlying trends.