Denmark Sets Path to Europe’s Highest Retirement Age, Sparking Public Backlash

By Staff, Agencies

Denmark has passed a law to raise its retirement age to 70 by the year 2040, making it the highest in Europe.

The policy, passed by the Danish parliament with 81 votes in favor and 21 against, ties retirement age to life expectancy, which currently averages 81.7 years in Denmark. Under this framework, the retirement age will increase to 68 in 2030 and 69 in 2035.

This long-standing policy, in place since 2006, aims to align pension eligibility with gains in life expectancy. However, the decision to extend the working life of Danes has ignited public frustration, particularly among manual laborers and those in physically demanding jobs.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, leader of the Social Democrats, acknowledged the challenges of the system. “We no longer believe that the retirement age should be increased automatically,” she said, emphasizing that it’s not reasonable to expect people to keep extending their working years indefinitely.

Many Danes have voiced concern that the change imposes unrealistic expectations, particularly on workers whose jobs take a physical toll. Roofer Tommas Jensen, 47, told public broadcaster Danmarks Radio that the policy is “unrealistic and unreasonable,” saying, “We work and work and work, but we can’t keep going.” He added that while the shift might suit office workers, it is a serious burden for those with physically taxing jobs. “I've paid my taxes all my life. There should also be time to be with children and grandchildren,” he told outlet DK.

Despite the backlash, some data indicates that many Danes prefer a gradual transition into retirement rather than stopping work abruptly. According to The Times, more than half of the population supports working past the official retirement age while scaling back gradually.

Still, labor unions remain critical. Jesper Ettrup Rasmussen, chairman of Denmark’s trade union confederation, described the move as “completely unfair,” especially given the country’s strong economy. “Denmark has a healthy economy and yet the EU's highest retirement age,” he said, warning that the policy could undermine people’s right to a dignified old age.

Critics have also highlighted a perceived double standard, noting that many Danish politicians are eligible for parliamentary pensions from the age of 60. This includes Prime Minister Frederiksen, who is 47, and 26 MPs elected before 2007, who only need one year of service to qualify for the pension.