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Public libraries

How many materials do citizens borrow from the public libraries in Denmark? How many people visit the public libraries? The public library statistics show the activity of the Danish public libraries – for example, the number of books, loans, and renewals. It also provides information regarding the number of loans taken through digital services, such as eReolen and Filmstriben.

Selected statistics on Public libraries

This page shows selected popular statistics on the subject of Public libraries. In Statbank Denmark, you can find more data and compile your own statistics.

Visits to public libraries

The figure shows the number of visits to the public libraries in Denmark.
More about the figure
Last update
1.8.2025
Next update
3.7.2026
Source data

Public and research libraries report data to Statistics Denmark via an electronic questionnaire. The Ministry of Culture provides population for the statistics.

Loans of physical and digital materials

The figure shows the distribution of loans from the public libraries and eReolen (digital loans).
More about the figure
Last update
27.2.2025
Next update
24.2.2026
Source data

Public and research libraries report data to Statistics Denmark via an electronic questionnaire. The Ministry of Culture provides population for the statistics.

Loans of materials in Filmstriben

The figure shows the number of loans in Filmstriben.
More about the figure
Last update
27.8.2025
Next update
24.11.2025
Source data

Public and research libraries report data to Statistics Denmark via an electronic questionnaire. The Ministry of Culture provides population for the statistics.

Loans from public school libraries by material type

The table shows the number of loans from Danish public school libraries distributed by material type.
More about the figure
Last update
26.9.2025
Next update
3.7.2026
Source data

Public and research libraries report data to Statistics Denmark via an electronic questionnaire. The Ministry of Culture provides population for the statistics.

Borrowers at public libraries by gender

The figure shows the gender distribution of public library borrowers.
More about the figure
Last update
27.2.2025
Next update
24.2.2026
Source data

Public and research libraries report data to Statistics Denmark via an electronic questionnaire. The Ministry of Culture provides population for the statistics.

On the statistics – documentation, sources and method

Gain an overview of the purpose, contents and quality of the statistics. Learn about the data sources of the statistics, the contents of the statistics and how often they are published.

See the documentation of statistics to learn more:

Cultural Habits Survey

The purpose of the Cultural Habits Survey is to document the cultural habits of the residents of Denmark. Culture is broadly defined, as the survey covers habits within the topics of culture, media and recreational activities, e.g. concerts, performing arts, cinema, literature, exercise, digital games and hobbies. The survey has been carried out regularly since 1964. Statistics Denmark has carried out the survey from 2018-2023 and in 2024-, while previous surveys have been carried out by the Ministry of Culture. The survey has been carried out with a new questionnaire since the first quarter of 2024, and is therefore not directly comparable with previous versions.

Libraries

The purpose of the statistics is to disseminate the activity in the area of public libraries in Denmark. The statistics are produced by Statistics Denmark on behalf of the Ministry of Culture. From 2000 and up to and including 2009 the statistics was produced by the Ministry of Culture.

Need more data on Public libraries?

Go on searching on your own in Statbank Denmark. Find detailed figures, for example about public libraries activities, material types and book stocks. In addition, you can find statistics about public library borrowers.

Contact

Trine Jensen
Phone: +45 20 13 88 17