Innovation
What is the extent of innovation in Denmark? On this page, you can find information on innovation activities in the business enterprise sector, including the share of innovative enterprises in Denmark. For an activity to be considered as innovation, the product, process, etc. must be new or significantly changed, at least for the enterprise itself.
Explainer on…
Innovation is the introduction of new or significantly improved, products, manufacturing processes, organisational methods, sales promotional activities. The R&D activities of the enterprises are regarded as part of the innovation activities.
Development and introduction of new or significantly improved products. Products must be new for the enterprise, but can have been developed or introduced by other enterprises.
Development of new or improved processes for one or more business functions, which is significantly different from previous processes or functions.
Selected statistics on Innovation
Innovative enterprises by industry and innovation type
The statistics are compiled on the basis of questionnaires collected from app. 3,500 enterprises drawn as a sample from a population of app. 22,000 enterprises. The statistics are collected as one part of a single questionnaire, that also covers enterprises' research and development (R&D). The enterprises are sampled depending on the number of full-time equivalents and type of activity (NACE). All enterprises with 100 or more full-time equivalents are included in the sample, and the likeliness of being chosen for the sample decreases in line with decrease in number of full-time equivalents. The probability of selection is higher within types of activities that are more R&D-intensive than within activities where R&D is less frequent. The enterprises in the sample are randomly selected.
Innovative enterprises by size
The statistics are compiled on the basis of questionnaires collected from app. 3,500 enterprises drawn as a sample from a population of app. 22,000 enterprises. The statistics are collected as one part of a single questionnaire, that also covers enterprises' research and development (R&D). The enterprises are sampled depending on the number of full-time equivalents and type of activity (NACE). All enterprises with 100 or more full-time equivalents are included in the sample, and the likeliness of being chosen for the sample decreases in line with decrease in number of full-time equivalents. The probability of selection is higher within types of activities that are more R&D-intensive than within activities where R&D is less frequent. The enterprises in the sample are randomly selected.
Innovation expenditures in the business enterprise sector
The statistics are compiled on the basis of questionnaires collected from app. 3,500 enterprises drawn as a sample from a population of app. 22,000 enterprises. The statistics are collected as one part of a single questionnaire, that also covers enterprises' research and development (R&D). The enterprises are sampled depending on the number of full-time equivalents and type of activity (NACE). All enterprises with 100 or more full-time equivalents are included in the sample, and the likeliness of being chosen for the sample decreases in line with decrease in number of full-time equivalents. The probability of selection is higher within types of activities that are more R&D-intensive than within activities where R&D is less frequent. The enterprises in the sample are randomly selected.
On the statistics – documentation, sources and method
See the documentation of statistics to learn more:
The purpose of the innovation survey is to examine the scope, the nature and the effect of innovation in the business sector including the innovation activities. Data will be collected enabling comparisons over time. The survey is conducted in accordance with the EU and OECD guidelines for innovation statistics described in the Oslo Manual. Danish data are thereby comparable with data from other EU countries. From the reference year 2007 statistics are compiled on a yearly basis, but only directly comparable from 2020 forward.
The purpose of these statistics is to uncover the extent and types of public sector innovation. The survey is conducted according to EU and OECD guidelines concerning innovation statistics.