Denmark school absenteeism shows significant regional disparities

A new analysis from CEPOS mapping all Danish primary schools reveals significant geographic disparities in student absenteeism. The study shows that students east of the Great Belt are generally more absent than those to the west.

Region Sjælland recorded the highest overall absenteeism at 8.3 percent, while the Capital Region (Region Hovedstaden) had the highest rate of unauthorized absence at 1.21 percent. Unauthorized absence includes truancy and unapproved holidays outside of official school breaks.

Karsten Bo Larsen, research manager at CEPOS, noted that these regional differences appear systematic, mirroring patterns seen in high school students and welfare sector employees. The analysis suggests that socioeconomic background alone does not explain the variations, indicating that regional or cultural factors may also play a role. The report emphasizes that high absenteeism impacts both academic achievement and social integration within the school community.