Denmark vs Sweden: Expenditure on social benefits by function
Denmark
116,437
in 2025
Sweden
160,474
in 2025
Denmark rank
17th
Sweden rank
14th
Expenditure on social benefits by function over time
- Denmark
- Sweden
How they compare
Sweden currently reports 160,474 against 116,437 in Denmark, a difference of 44,037.
That makes Sweden's figure about 1.4 times Denmark's.
Across all 33 years both countries report, Sweden has been ahead every year.
Denmark ranks 17th and Sweden ranks 14th of 46 countries.
Sweden has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Denmark | Sweden | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 43,101 | 68,223 | 25,122 | Sweden |
| 2000s | 60,755 | 87,977 | 27,222 | Sweden |
| 2010s | 86,850 | 125,540 | 38,690 | Sweden |
| 2020s | 106,174 | 148,977 | 42,803 | Sweden |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher expenditure on social benefits by function, Denmark or Sweden?
- Sweden, at 160,474 against 116,437 in Denmark as of 2025.
- What is the difference in expenditure on social benefits by function between Denmark and Sweden?
- 44,037, with Sweden ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Denmark and Sweden?
- 33 years are reported by both, from 1993 to 2025.
- How do Denmark and Sweden rank globally for expenditure on social benefits by function?
- Denmark ranks 17th and Sweden ranks 14th of 46 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- Eurostat, published as Expenditure on social benefits by function. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.