EU-partnerships

Denmark

Research | 22 May 2026

Ukraine is only Denmark’s 48th largest supplier of goods and 49th largest export destination

DK is a net exporter of services due to higher transport services. Ukrainians spending from UA cards (counts as tourism)

410

Danish companies in Ukraine, manufacturing being the largest sector

16k Ukrainians in Denmark before the war, almost 50k post-2022

Centre for Economic Strategy (CES), an independent Ukrainian think tank that analyzes key public policies and promotes support for reforms.

With donor support, CES has launched a series of studies on trade relations between Ukraine and the European Union countries.

Free movements of goods and services

UA mainly exports furniture, clothes and textile fabrics; UA supplies 30% of DK’s textile interior furnishings

~€139 mln

DK became a net exporter in 2021 due to higher transport exports. Surplus of services increased to ~€139 mln in 2024 because of Ukrainian refugees’ spending

DK exports more high-value goods (pharma, machinery, motor vehicles)

0,5%

UA accounts for just 0.5% of DK’s extra-EU service exports

Exports related to wind power seized to exist with the war

Trade balance UA-DK 2024

Free movement of persons and capital

Pre war:

~16k

Ukrainians in Denmark

As of 2024:

~36k

As of 2025:

~50k

with temporary protection; ~1% of total in Europe

One in five is a child under 14; ~ 40% Ukrainians employed; over 70% plan to stay, despite language barriers and low-skill jobs

DK FDI in UA: $383 mln in 2024

410

DK companies operate in UA. The majority operate in manufacturing (21%), wholesale and retail trade (20%) and IT (13%)

Ukrainian defence companies plan to launch productin facilities in Denmark

Ukrainians in Denmark (thousands), 2024

Tighter co-operation potential

Current FDI integration is limited to selective sectors, and the overall trade remains shallow.
Potential for tighter co-operation in defense, with Ukrainian companies exchanging technologies with Denmark. Government guarantees backed by the EU might help Danish defense investment in Ukraine.
Further cooperation in construction and renewable energy sectors for Ukraine’s recovery using Danish expertise.

Interesting facts

You can also read about Danish–Ukrainian trade and investment relations in a publication on the Danish Institute for International Studies.

The brochure is produced by Centre for Economic Strategy with the support of the Askold and Dir Fund as a part of the the Strong Civil Society of Ukraine — a Driver towards Reforms and Democracy project, implemented by ISAR Ednannia, funded by Norway and Sweden. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Centre for Economic Strategy and can in no way be taken to reflect the views the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and ISAR Ednannia.