In Denmark, the government defines the overarching political strategies and the legal framework is passed by the parliament. The two lower levels of government, the regions and the municipalities, are responsible for providing a broad spectrum of social services.

As municipalities fix and levy local taxes themselves, they have various options in adjust­ing their social services to local conditions. At the same time, the municipalities set the political priorities when trading off between tax rate and service level. This means that at the local level, welfare services may differ because of different priorities made by the municipal councils (kommunalbestyrelse).

Denmark does not have a youth law, a youth minister, or a national agency for youth. Instead, youth policy in Denmark is integrated into other relevant policy areas, where several strategies target the youth population, for instance youth in the education system, young people in the health care system, socially marginalised young people, etc.

At the local level, the municipalities must develop a coherent children and youth policy that contributes to children and young people’s development, well-being and independence  (Lov om social service, LBK nr 170 af 24/01/2022). The children and youth policy must ensure a connection between the general and preventive measures and the measures aimed at children and young people with special needs. The children and youth policies include day care, primary and secondary schools, healthcare, leisure activities, the voluntary sector and special needs measures.