Islands of Denmark By Population

Zealand, Denmark's largest and most populous island, is also home to Copenhagen, its national capital and largest city.
Zealand, Denmark's largest and most populous island, is also home to Copenhagen, its national capital and largest city.

The Danish islands are found around Denmark’s coastline. There are a number of small islands that have disappeared in the past because of geological activities. Danish is the official language spoken, and Christianity is the most popular religion in the Danish islands. The islands have a low birth rate, an estimated 1.73 children for every woman and most of its inhabitants are elderly. An estimated 88% of the population are Danes by descent, and the rest are immigrants and their offspring. By some reports, Danes are the happiest people on earth. Most of the Islands have fertile soils suitable for agriculture and sandy beaches that have led to a flourishing of tourism. The Danish Islands are about 150 and around 70 of them are inhabited. In 2013, the most populated are Zealand, Funen, North Jutlandic Island, Amager, Lolland, Als, Falster, Bornholm, Mors, and Langeland.

The Most Populated Danish Islands

Zealand

Zealand is an island on the Baltic Sea. It is Denmark’s largest island and is also where the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen is located. Zealand has 2,208,348 inhabitants making it the most populous of the Danish Islands. Zealand is an extensive flat land and does not have any mountain.The island traces its history to the Vikings. Remains from the Vikings occupation found in Zealand include castles, cathedrals, fortresses, manors, and ships. Economic activities in Zealand include farming and dairy keeping as the main agriculture due to fertile soils mostly on the southern side. Fishing also takes place on its lakes. Beach resorts are also common in Zealand’s coastline and are tourist attraction sites. Zealand and Funen are connected by a network of tunnels and the Great Belt bridge.

Funen

Funen is Denmark’s third biggest island occupying an estimated area of 3,099.7 square kilometers. It has a population of 456,128 inhabitants. Funen Island is in between Zealand and the mainland Denmark. The connection between Funen and Denmark is through two bridges. Odense is the biggest city in Funen and it was the birth place for the famous Danish author Hans Christian Anderson. The island has a fertile landscape that supports agricultural farming of sugar, beet, grains, and dairy farming. The island is home to remains and monuments from the Viking Era, including ships and burial chambers. There are castles and manors, most notably the Egeskov Slot Castle. Odense is a manufacturing center and employs many workers while tourism also contributes to the livelihoods of the people of the larger Funen.

North Jutlandic Island (Vendsyssel-Thy)

North Jutlandic Island otherwise known as Vendsyssel-Thy, has 297,886 inhabitants. North Jutlandic Island constitutes the districts of Thy, Vendsyssel, Herald, and Han. Some of the towns include Blokhus, Frederikshavn, and Aalborg. The island is separated from mainland Denmark by the Limfjorden. A network of transportation including ferries, bridges, and tunnels are used to travel to and from Denmark and other islands. Fishing and tourism are the main economic activities in the Island.

Amager

Amager Island is near Zealand, and they are connected by five bridges. It is located in the southwest of the capital Copenhagen. Amager has a population of 180,657 people. What was once a small fishing and the agricultural village is now rapidly developing to give way to modern transportation and architecture. Notably, Amager Island is home to the Copenhagen airport. The soils of Amager enable agriculture to flourish in the Island. Dragør, a harbor in Amager Island has an ancient architecture that attests to a rich history as a navigation hub and is consequently a tourist attraction site.

Other Major Danish Islands

Other significantly populated Danish Islands are Lolland with its 62,578 residents, followed by Als (50,682), Falster (42,544), Bornholm (40,715), Mors (21,163), and Langeland (12,644). Vast stretches of sandy beaches and medieval architecture have seen the Danish Islands become tourism hubs. Most of the tourists who visit the Danish Islands are nationals of Germany, Sweden, and Norway. A large number of the foreigners on the Danish islands are from the nations of Iraq, Pakistan, Somali, Iran, and Turkey. Most of the Danish people who migrate go to countries in the European Union and the United States.

The Most Populated Danish Islands

RankIsland’s namePopulation (2013)
1Zealand2,208,348
2Funen456,128
3North Jutlandic Island (Vendsyssel-Thy)297,886
4Amager180,657
5Lolland62,578
6Als50,682
7Falster42,544
8Bornholm40,715
9Mors21,163
10Langeland12,644
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