Few countries compete for the title of the world’s cleanest country, but the hard facts and numbers only point to one – Denmark.

Denmark is a small Nordic country located in northern Europe, bordering Germany to the south.

This beautiful country boasts some of the most breathtaking natural scenery and is renowned for its robust welfare system that provides free healthcare and education to all citizens. (All of which of course, we’d be remiss to mention, are paid for by some of the highest taxes in the world).

How did Denmark become the world’s cleanest country?

Denmark has been actively working towards becoming more environmentally conscious. The country aims to be entirely independent of fossil fuels by 2050 and is making great progress towards this goal.

But Denmark’s commitment to keeping its country clean isn’t a recent development. The country has a long history of green initiatives – its first waste-to-energy plant was built in Frederiksberg in 1903 and its first centralized plant for oil and chemical waste treatment was built in Kalundborg in 1961.

Further back, in 1898, Roskilde became one of the first Danish cities to introduce a municipal garbage collection service.

So, while Denmark’s commitment to cleanliness might be more visible now than ever before, it’s clear that this is a country that has long understood the importance of taking care of its environment.

But aside from the facts mentioned above, what other factors contributed to Denmark’s achievement of being recognized as the world’s cleanest country?

Let’s find out.

1. Relatively Small Population

Denmark has a population of around 5.9 million people – about the same as Singapore or Wisconsin.

Despite its small size, Denmark is rich in diversity and culture.

The country’s population density is around 135 people per square kilometer, providing ample space for nature, wildlife, urban areas, and modern amenities. This reduces pressure on natural resources, generates less waste, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

Denmark’s relatively small population has also fostered a culture of social trust, civic engagement, and personal responsibility – all crucial factors that have helped Denmark earn its reputation as an exceptionally clean country.

2. Environmental Protection

One of the qualities that Denmark will be remembered for is being an environmentally friendly country. It has some of the most ambitious and effective environmental policies in the world, and it shows in its clean and green performance.

The country ranks first in the world in the 2022 Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which measures how well countries protect their natural resources and human health.

Denmark has a score of 77.9 out of 100, which means it beats all other countries in terms of climate mitigation, air quality, sanitation and drinking water, waste management, biodiversity, agriculture, and more.

The country also has some of the most ambitious and effective environmental policies in the world, and it shows in its green and clean performance.

For example, Denmark aims to be free of fossil fuels by 2050 and rely solely on renewable energy sources, particularly wind power, for over 40% of its electricity generation.

3. High Air Quality Scores

According to the latest data from IQAir, Denmark’s air quality index showed the air quality to be “Good” in December 2020, which means it meets the standards set by the World Health Organization (WHO) for protecting human health.

In fact, Denmark’s high air quality scores rank 84th out of 98 European countries in terms of PM2.5 levels (the most harmful type of particulate matter) in 2019. That’s quite impressive from every perspective.

4. Renewable Energy Sources

Denmark is leading in the renewable energy revolution in a big way. It innovates in using wind, solar and geothermal to produce clean and green electricity and heat.

Denmark has multiple reasons for this focus. One reason is to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change by dramatically decreasing greenhouse gasses. Another reason is to become independent from finite, expensive, and polluting fossil fuels and foreign energy suppliers.

By embracing renewable energy, Denmark can save money, create jobs, and improve its security.

The country has ambitions to become a world leader in renewable energy, exporting wind turbines and developing expertise in solar power, geothermal heat, biomass, and smart grids. This expertise can assist other countries in transitioning to a low-carbon economy.

5. Waste Management

True to its distinction as an environmentally friendly country, Denmark is leading the way in innovative waste management. The country has been transforming its waste management system from a linear model (take-make-dispose) to a circular one (reduce-reuse-recycle) for decades.

Its recent national waste plan, Denmark without Waste: Resource Plan for Waste Management 2013-2018, set out an ambitious goal: to collect 50% of seven household waste fractions (biowaste, paper, cardboard, glass, wood, plastic and metal) by 2022.

The result: Less waste went to landfills or incinerators and more resources had been recovered and reused.

6. Drinking Water

Denmark has some of the best drinking water in the world. Danes can drink water straight from the tap without worrying about contaminants, bacteria or unpleasant tastes.

Its clean tap water is due to its abundant supply of naturally filtered groundwater. Most water companies add only chlorine as a disinfectant.

To keep the water clean, Denmark has enforced strict regulations that limit the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, protect natural areas from urban development, and enforce revenue caps for water companies.

Denmark has some of the best drinking water in the world. Danes can drink water straight from the tap without worrying about contaminants, bacteria or unpleasant tastes.

Its clean tap water is due to its abundant supply of naturally filtered groundwater. Most water companies add only chlorine as a disinfectant.

To keep the water clean, Denmark has enforced strict regulations that limit the use of pesticides and fertilizers in agriculture, protect natural areas from urban development, and enforce revenue caps for water companies.