An analysis made by KL (National Association of Municipalities) shows that the average working hours per week have decreased from 32.3 hours (2000) to 30.7 hours (2021). 26% of people in Denmark are part-time (4th place among the European Union states). There is a tendency for new parents to take care of their children at home instead of sending them to an institution. There is even a manifesto called “Ærø Manifestet” which encourages people to spend less time working.
The Prime Minister is concerned about the work ethic in Denmark. She stated that “The Danes are one of the people in the world with the highest frequency of work… but, I can hear tendencies toward the opposite. That increased prosperity must be exchanged for more leisure time. It is the high work ethic that has created our prosperity, it is what creates our opportunities. That’s pretty much it, and not much else, that has created Denmark”.
On another occasion, she quoted the former Prime Minister Thorvald Stauning “Idleness and laziness are the enemies of man. Through diligence and work, individuals move forward. And each individual helps to create a society that can provide a good life both during work. And when old age comes.”
In 1990, the collective agreements established the working week at 37 hours.