Denmark has twice as many pigs as there are people.
Denmark Has More Pigs Than People—Twice As Many
Denmark's pig population is nothing short of extraordinary. As of June 2025, this Scandinavian nation is home to approximately 11.89 million pigs compared to just 5.8 million people—a staggering ratio of roughly 2 pigs for every person.
To put that in perspective: if you gathered 100 Danes in a room, you'd need 215 pigs to accurately represent the country's demographics. It's one of the highest pig-to-human ratios in the world.
Why So Many Pigs?
Denmark's massive pig population isn't an accident—it's big business. Pig production accounts for nearly 30% of Denmark's total agricultural value and 25% of its food exports. The country exports pork and bacon products to over 140 countries worldwide, with the UK being the primary destination for Danish bacon.
The industry has become incredibly industrialized. Today, only about 3,125 farms keep pigs in Denmark, but the average pig farm produces nearly 28,000 pigs annually. These operations have transformed from small family farms into massive agricultural enterprises.
The Numbers Keep Growing
Denmark's pig population isn't just big—it's getting bigger. Between June 2024 and June 2025, the pig population grew by 5.6%. The increase was particularly dramatic among fattening pigs over 50 kg, which saw an 11.5% jump.
This growth is driven by Denmark's focus on efficiency and export-oriented production. Companies like Danish Crown have shifted from simply supplying raw pork to processing pigs into premium products like bacon and pepperoni for international markets.
A National Identity
Danish bacon has become so synonymous with quality that it's a protected designation. The phrase "Danish Bacon" carries weight in culinary circles around the world, representing a tradition of pig farming that dates back generations.
However, this agricultural powerhouse comes with environmental costs. Agriculture accounts for over one-third of Denmark's emissions, with pig farming contributing significantly to that figure. As Denmark balances its economic reliance on pork exports with environmental concerns, the country faces challenging questions about the future of its signature industry.
For now, though, the pigs outnumber the people—by a factor of two—and Denmark remains one of the world's undisputed pork champions.