Denmark vs Iceland: Annual government expenditure by function (COFOG) — Compensation of

Denmark
418,406 National currency
in 2024
Iceland
649,357 National currency
in 2024
Denmark rank
12th
Iceland rank
11th

Annual government expenditure by function (COFOG) — Compensation of over time

  • Denmark
  • Iceland
0200.0k400.0k600.0k199520092024

How they compare

Iceland currently reports 649,357 National currency against 418,406 National currency in Denmark, a difference of 230,951 National currency.

That makes Iceland's figure about 1.6 times Denmark's.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 27 shared years of data; in 1998 it was Denmark ahead.

Denmark ranks 12th and Iceland ranks 11th of 29 countries.

Across the 4 decades both report, Denmark averaged higher in 3 and Iceland in 1.

Head to head by decade

Decade Denmark Iceland Difference Ahead
1990s 194,940 National currency 85,324 National currency 109,616 National currency Denmark
2000s 248,099 National currency 156,575 National currency 91,524 National currency Denmark
2010s 325,141 National currency 310,034 National currency 15,107 National currency Denmark
2020s 386,325 National currency 560,623 National currency 174,298 National currency Iceland

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher annual government expenditure by function (cofog) — compensation of, Denmark or Iceland?
Iceland, at 649,357 National currency against 418,406 National currency in Denmark as of 2024.
What is the difference in annual government expenditure by function (cofog) — compensation of between Denmark and Iceland?
230,951 National currency, with Iceland ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Denmark and Iceland?
27 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2024.
How do Denmark and Iceland rank globally for annual government expenditure by function (cofog) — compensation of?
Denmark ranks 12th and Iceland ranks 11th of 29 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as Annual government expenditure by function (COFOG) — Compensation of employees. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Denmark vs Iceland: Annual government expenditure by function (COFOG) — Compensation of. Statizoid, drawing on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://public-sector.statizoid.com/compare/annual-government-expenditure-by-function-cofog-compensation-of-employees/denmark/iceland/

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About this data

Indicator
Annual government expenditure by function (COFOG) — Compensation of employees
Unit
National currency
Source
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Licence
OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
40 places, 1,137 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

This table provides a breakdown of government expenditure according to the Classification of the Functions of Government (COFOG), which shows how much governments spend in areas such as health, education, environmental protection, defence and servicing public debt. The presentation is on a country-by-country basis. Users are recommended to select one country (or area) at a time in the ‘Reference area’ filter. Data is presented for each country in national currency as well as in euros for the European Union and the euro area. Data are also available, for most countries, for the sub-sectors of general government. Specific categories of expenditure (such as health and education) can be selected using the ‘Expenditure’ filter, while details of the type of expenditure such as compensation of employees (payment of wages and salaries and employers’ social contributions) can be selected using the ‘Transaction’ filter. For government final consumption expenditure a breakdown is also provided, in the ‘Transaction’ filter, between individual and collective consumption expenditure. Data is for General Government. For most countries, results are also available for the General Government sub-sectors: central, local and state (regional) government and social security. These sub-sectors can be selected using the ‘Institutional sector’ filter. These indicators were presented in the previous dissemination system in the SNA_TABLE11 dataset. See ANA Changes for information on changes in methodology: ANA Changes Explore also the Government Finances and Public Sector Debt webpage: Government Finances and Public Sector Debt webpage OECD statistics contact: STAT.Contact@oecd.org