The latest survey conducted by the National Centre for Research and Analysis in the Field of Welfare (VIVE) shows that the number of people registered as homeless in Denmark has remained almost at the same level over the past two years, despite the reform adopted by the previous government to address the homelessness problem, according to the DR website.
Approximately 6,028 people were registered as homeless.
Researchers counted 6,028 people who were in various situations of homelessness in Denmark during the sixth week of 2026, according to a recently published VIVE report.
The 2024 census recorded 5,989 homeless individuals, meaning the number increased by only 39 people in two years. According to the researchers, this difference is so small that the figures are practically at the same level.
Lars Benjaminsen, the lead researcher who conducted the count, said the numbers "are roughly at the same level," according to the source.
Minister of Social Affairs criticizes the rising numbers
Minister of Social Affairs Monika Rubin expressed her disappointment that homelessness rates in Denmark have not decreased.
Robin said in a press release issued by the Ministry of Social Affairs that it was "very disappointing" that Denmark had not been able to reduce the level of homelessness, and that the effects of the homelessness reform passed in 2023 were not showing up in the numbers.
The minister added that she believes there is still untapped potential in reforming homelessness, and said that the Dignity Reform, a new effort targeting the most marginalized people, will make a difference for people living on the streets.
The reform law of 2023 changed the way the homeless are helped.
The homelessness reform passed in 2023 aimed to change the way municipalities provide assistance to people living in homelessness.
The reform is based on a «housing first» approach, which is based on providing permanent housing for the person first, and then providing the necessary social support for him after that.
Counting the number does not explain the reasons for the continued homelessness.
Lars Bennymsen confirmed to DR that the results of the census alone cannot determine the reasons why the number of homeless people has remained at the same level, nor can they be used alone to determine the impact of the homelessness reform that began in 2023.
Benjaminsen explained that the enumeration process measures the number of people in various situations of homelessness during a specific week, but it does not, in itself, provide an explanation of the factors that led people to become homeless. He clarified that the enumeration process is a "count," and that it cannot, on its own, say anything about the factors that played a role in the occurrence of homelessness.
Sleeping on the street represents only part of the phenomenon
The figures also showed that homelessness in Denmark takes many forms and does not necessarily mean that a person sleeps on the street. Researchers recorded 482 people who spent a night on the street during the week of the survey, while the largest group was people who used shelters or accommodation, numbering 2,910 people. The report also counted 1,375 people who sleep on sofas in the homes of other family members, friends, or acquaintances.
The capital, Copenhagen, is recording a rise in the number of homeless people.
The census also revealed significant geographical variations in the number of people registered as homeless.
In Copenhagen, the number rose from 1,387 people in 2024 to 1,572 in 2026, while in Aarhus, the number fell from 556 in 2024 to 492 this year. Odense recorded 153 homeless people in the latest census.
Approximately 526 homeless migrants were counted separately.
The report counted 526 homeless migrants without permanent residence in Denmark, but these were not included in the total number of 6,028 people. This group was registered separately, and therefore the main figure of 6,028 people does not include homeless migrants without permanent residence.
VIVE research warns of incomplete figures
VIVE's research confirmed that there is a degree of uncertainty in the results of the enumeration process, as some people living in a state of homelessness may have no contact with the authorities and therefore do not appear in the statistics.
It is also possible that some people were registered more than once, which is another factor to consider when reading the results.
The enumeration process reflects the number of people who were in various situations of homelessness during a given week, and therefore the results alone cannot explain the causes of homelessness or determine the impact of the homelessness reform passed in 2023.
