Denmark's Digital Timeline

But, before we start. Let us start out with some background and context.

We did lay some groundwork before digitizing our society.

Adoption of technology

In 1968 Denmark introduced the CPR-register, a central database of every person residing in Denmark. The register has a major impact on digitization in Denmark. The register is amongst other things used to identify all citizens when they use their digital ID and login "MyID".

Danish citizens have adopted technology and citizens expect government services to be digital by default, supporting web and mobile in parallel.

Digital by default

In Denmark it is mandatory to communicate with the public sector through a service called ‘Digital Post’. This means that all interaction between citizens and the public is done electronically by using secure email instead of sending letters. Digital Post is also available for the private sector to use - e.g. insurance companies, financial institutions and schools

Connected and online

There is a high degree of internet penetration; 94% have internet at home, 89% use the internet daily, and over a 12-month period, 88% of citizens interact digitally with public authorities at least once.

These numbers are among the highest in the EU ranking 2nd on the OECD list.

Push for a digital public sector

The more recent push for digital in the public sector started about 15 years ago led by the Danish Agency of Digitisation under the Danish Ministry of Finance. There have been five major intiatives in this period.

Denmark's Digital Timeline

But, before we start. Let us start out with some background and context.

We did lay some groundwork before digitizing our society.

Adoption of technology

In 1968 Denmark introduced the CPR-register, a central database of every person residing in Denmark. The register has a major impact on digitization in Denmark. The register is amongst other things used to identify all citizens when they use their digital ID and login "MyID".

Danish citizens have adopted technology and citizens expect government services to be digital by default, supporting web and mobile in parallel.

Digital by default

In Denmark it is mandatory to communicate with the public sector through a service called ‘Digital Post’. This means that all interaction between citizens and the public is done electronically by using secure email instead of sending letters. Digital Post is also available for the private sector to use - e.g. insurance companies, financial institutions and schools

Connected and online

There is a high degree of internet penetration; 94% have internet at home, 89% use the internet daily, and over a 12-month period, 88% of citizens interact digitally with public authorities at least once.

These numbers are among the highest in the EU ranking 2nd on the OECD list.

Push for a digital public sector

The more recent push for digital in the public sector started about 15 years ago led by the Danish Agency of Digitisation under the Danish Ministry of Finance. There have been five major intiatives in this period.

Supported by law

First digitization strategy in the world

The first Danish national digitization strategy was formulated in 1996. The strategy was probably one of the first national strategies in the world, and it has been revised several times over the years. In parallel, the national digitization strategies have been supported by several hundred laws, which is very unique compared to most other countries.

A common public sector

Towards a digitised society

The government’s digital ambitions include all levels of government, from central government to regions and municipalities - i.e. both the administrative institutions such as ministries, agencies, public sector institutions, and municipal and regional administrations, and hospitals, schools, universities, etc.

Digitalization is a money saver

Denmark's digitalization saves 296 million euro per year.

30% reduced processing time

Ministries in Denmark have reduced case processing time by 30%.

Digitalization = transparency

Transparency in Ministries and organizations increased 96% with digitalization.