This chapter gives an overview of youth policy in the field of social inclusion in Denmark.

The Danish welfare state is characterised by a strong redistribution of income through the tax system and a broad range of social services. For instance, Denmark offers more or less free education from primary to higher education, as well as free consultation and treatment by a general practitioner, at emergency wards and public hospitals. Furthermore, a range of benefits are designed to help in the event of unemployment, sickness, or other social incidents that may cause a drop in income.

Denmark is among the countries with the world's lowest income inequality, according to the OECD, which looks at income inequality as measured by the GINI coefficient across 38 states.

Nevertheless, certain groups are socially marginalised or at risk of marginalisation:

• NEETs
• People with a migrant background
• People with problematic drug/alcohol use
• People with disabilities
• People living in homelessness
• People in criminality