Compare countries & regions
Denmark vs Sweden
Denmark and Sweden side by side — economy, tax, company setup, visas, housing and study, from official and open data.
Denmark
Capital time zone: Europe/Copenhagen
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Sweden
Capital time zone: Europe/Stockholm
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Economy & society
| Metric | Denmark | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2024) | 5.98M | 10.57M |
| GDP (current US$) (2024) | $424.52B | $603.72B |
| GDP per capita (2024) | $71,026 | $57,117 |
| GDP growth (annual) (2024) | 3.5% | 0.8% |
| Inflation (annual) (2024) | 1.4% | 2.8% |
| Unemployment (2025) | 5.5% | 8.7% |
| FDI net inflows (2024) | $18.24B | $27.03B |
Business & tax
| Metric | Denmark | Sweden |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax General national corporate income tax rate. Sub-national tax is excluded and shown separately where it applies — a cell reading "15.825% +7–21% municipal" means the national rate plus a local business tax. "on trading income" and "on distributed profit" mark countries whose headline rate does not reach all profit. | 22% | 20.6% |
| Top income tax Top marginal rate on employment income, NATIONAL layer only — that is what makes the column comparable. Where a sub-national layer applies it is added to the cell rather than folded into the number, so "20% +29–35% municipal" is Sweden's national rate plus its municipal one. Social-security contributions are excluded throughout. | 32.01% +25.05% municipal | 20% +29–35% municipal |
| Capital gains Default rate on long-term gains from listed securities, for an individual. Varies by asset, holding period and residency. Where one percentage cannot state the answer the cell says so instead: "effective" = a fixed share of the gain is taxed as ordinary income; "on deemed return" = the tax falls on a notional return, not on realised gains; "as income" = there is no separate capital-gains tax; "Varies" = no single general rate; "No general CGT" = individuals are not taxed on capital gains, though gains that are trading in nature and gains realised in a business still can be. | 42% | 30% |
| VAT / GST Standard statutory rate. Where one percentage cannot state it the cell says so: "effective" = the statutory rate applies to a reduced tax base; "temporary" = a time-limited rate charged instead of the statutory one, with its end date; "by supply" / "by state" = a band structure with no single standard rate; "No VAT or GST" = the tax does not exist there, which is not a 0% rate. Reduced, zero and exempt categories are not shown. | 25% | 25% |
| Digital nomad visa Whether a dedicated digital-nomad or remote-work visa exists. A country without one may still allow remote work on another status. | No | No |
Figures are headline national values gathered for comparison, not tax or legal advice. Definitions differ between countries — read each row's basis before comparing, and verify against the official authority before acting.
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Frequently asked questions
Which has lower corporate tax, Denmark or Sweden?
Sweden — Denmark 22%%, Sweden 20.6%%.
How do VAT rates compare in Denmark and Sweden?
Denmark 25%%, Sweden 25%%.
Is Denmark or Sweden wealthier per capita?
Denmark — Denmark $71,026, Sweden $57,117 (World Bank, 2024/2024).
Do Denmark and Sweden offer a digital nomad visa?
Neither does.
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