New figures from Eurostat reveal that Denmark’s food waste per capita is twice the European average, highlighting a major gap in sustainable living efforts despite high awareness among Danish consumers.
Denmark Tops European Food Waste List
Denmark continues to rank near the bottom in Europe when it comes to food waste, according to the latest data from Eurostat, the European Union’s statistical office. Released on October 16, 2025, the numbers show that Danes generated an average of 261 kilograms of food waste per person in 2023, a stark contrast to the EU average of 130 kilograms per capita.
Within that total, Danish households alone were responsible for 87 kilograms per person, significantly exceeding the EU household average of 69 kilograms. These findings emphasize the ongoing challenge Denmark faces in aligning awareness of food waste with concrete action to reduce it.
Comparison with Neighboring Countries
The report casts an especially striking light on the contrast between Denmark and its Nordic neighbors. Sweden, for instance, reported a total of just 122 kilograms of food waste per capita. Swedish households were responsible for an average of only 60 kilograms, which is about 42 percent less than those in Denmark.
Despite living under similar conditions – sharing climates, retail chains, and food culture – Swedes seem to outperform Danes in terms of minimizing waste at home. This divergence suggests that Denmark’s performance could improve significantly with behavioral changes and better food management practices.
Lack of Action Despite High Awareness
Denmark is recognized as one of the most sustainability-minded countries in Europe. However, the Eurostat findings reveal a disconnect between attitudes and actions. While the Danish public is heavily aware of environmental issues and sustainability, this awareness does not appear to be translating into reduced food waste.
Efforts to cut back on household food waste frequently fall short, even though tools and strategies are well known. Many consumers reportedly struggle in everyday situations – choosing convenience or discarding food items rather than finding creative ways to use leftovers.
EU Commitment and UN Awareness Day
All EU member states, including Denmark, have committed to halving food waste by 2030 as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The recent Eurostat data indicates that Denmark is far from reaching this target, and that substantial progress will be required within the next five years.
In recognition of these challenges, Too Good To Go, a Danish-founded social impact company focused on reducing food waste, marked the UN’s International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste on September 29. The company raised Swedish flags across Copenhagen, including at its headquarters, to draw public attention to the stark difference between Denmark and Sweden’s food waste profiles.
Broader Implications and Industry Contribution
While household waste represents 53 percent of total EU food waste – equating to 69 kilograms per person – the remaining 47 percent occurs across the broader food chain. This includes waste from producers, retailers, restaurants, and distribution systems.
The total food waste in the EU during 2023 amounted to 58.2 million tons. Denmark’s outsized contribution to this total raises questions for both consumers and industry leaders. The food and retail sectors also bear responsibility for addressing inefficiencies and overproduction that lead to waste.
The Role of Too Good To Go
Too Good To Go is actively working to combat food waste through its mobile marketplace, which connects consumers with surplus food from stores, bakeries, restaurants, and producers. Since its founding in 2016, the platform has helped save over 400 million meals from being discarded, preventing more than 1.1 million tons of CO2 emissions.
Today, Too Good To Go operates in 20 countries across Europe, North America, and Australia with a network of over 180,000 business partners and over 120 million users. The company remains one of the leading tech platforms globally in the fight against food waste.
A Call for Everyday Responsibility
The data makes it clear that addressing food waste is not solely a policy or industry issue – it starts at home. Danes, despite their environmental consciousness, must translate intentions into daily habits that prioritize food use over disposal.
With 2030 approaching and the EU’s official goals in place, Denmark needs to make significant progress if it wants to close the gap with the European average – and move closer to sustainable food practices observed in neighboring countries like Sweden.
