Far fewer women than men are running in Denmark’s local elections, and experts say the imbalance may be a leftover from older social roles and recruitment practices in politics.
Men Still Dominate Local Politics
Across Denmark, there are nearly twice as many men as women on the ballots for this year’s municipal elections. About 3,200 women are running compared to around 6,000 men hoping for seats in the country’s local councils. The number of women candidates has barely increased since 2021, when women made up roughly 36 percent of elected council members.
This gender gap continues even though local governments handle issues such as childcare, education, and elderly care, areas where women make up a large part of the workforce.
While the share of women in the national parliament has grown since the 1990s, women’s representation in local councils has remained far lower.
Balancing Work, Family, and Politics
Experts at the University of Copenhagen suggest that old social patterns still play a role. Serving on a municipal council is not a full-time position, which means candidates must juggle their daily jobs, family responsibilities, and political duties. Many women, they say, may still feel more pressure than men to manage family life, which can discourage them from entering local politics.
That reality resonates with women already serving in councils. Many have described how female candidates often turn down the opportunity, not because of lack of interest, but because they find it hard to see how political work can fit into their lives.
Even for those who do serve, the commitment is significant. One council member from the Conservative People’s Party said local politics allows her to influence decisions and bring new perspectives, particularly from a younger and female viewpoint.
Recruitment Still Favors Men
Another factor is how parties recruit their candidates. Traditionally, Danish political parties have been dominated by men. During the 1980s, many women got involved in grassroots movements rather than joining political parties. Because of that, today’s senior party members are often men who have been active for decades.
As a result, local leadership structures tend to favor male candidates, and they may be less likely to think of recruiting women. International research supports this, showing that women are more likely than men to need encouragement before deciding to run.
Local councillors who are aware of the imbalance have noted that many female candidates only join after being personally invited or persuaded. It can take persistent effort within the parties to ensure women are even asked to participate.
Diversity Shapes Better Decisions
Representation matters, both symbolically and practically. When people see others like themselves in political roles, it strengthens trust in government and helps ensure a broader range of experiences at the decision-making table.
That diversity is not only about gender but also age, cultural background, and professional experience. A mix of viewpoints can influence discussions and decisions, leading to more balanced local policies.
If municipal councils remain dominated by older men, it may discourage others from participating and create a narrower form of representation.
Political Parties Hold the Key
The Danish Municipalities Association (KL) acknowledges the issue but places responsibility on political parties. According to KL, questions about gender balance come up regularly, both within the organization and in city councils. However, it is ultimately up to each party to decide who gets on the ballot and to voters to decide who wins.
At the same time, KL says it will continue working to improve the working conditions for all local politicians. That includes addressing practical issues such as meeting schedules, time pressure, workload, and even harassment, which can discourage participation—particularly among women.
Better support, KL argues, will make local politics more accessible for people balancing multiple roles, and improving gender balance will naturally be part of that process.
For more current updates on Danish society and politics, readers can visit TV 2 News, find background reporting on TV 2’s main site, or stream coverage through TV 2 Play.
Sources and References
TV 2 Nyheder: Få kvinder på stemmesedlen kan være et levn fra fortiden, siger ekspert
Additional references:
https://nyheder.tv2.dk/
https://tv2.dk
https://play.tv2.dk
