The cost of living varies drastically worldwide, but the term “expensive” is somewhat subjective. Multiple factors determine whether a particular city or country is pricey to an individual, including that person’s salary and lifestyle choices. One of the best equalizers to truly understand how much things cost in different countries is the Economist’s Big Mac Index, so how much is a Big Mac in Denmark?
Scandinavia’s southernmost country is one of the priciest places to live and visit in Europe, especially if you come to Copenhagen. Its Nordic neighbors are often thrust in the same light, though not all of them have McDonald’s restaurants.
We figured that this article was the perfect opportunity to compare McDonald’s prices in Denmark to other parts of Northern Europe, and it *definitely* wasn’t an excuse to go and get some for ourselves. So, without further ado, here’s how much you can expect to pay for a Big Mac when you visit.
What is the Economist’s Big Mac index?
Before we highlight how expensive Big Mac burgers are in Denmark compared to other countries, we should look at what the Big Mac Index actually is.
The index has been around since 1986 when The Economist magazine came up with an innovative way to measure the value of other countries’ currencies.
Simply put, the Big Mac Index initially burst onto the scene to measure whether each country’s currency lived up to its value. Considering that McDonald’s is one of the largest fast food chains in the entire world, using Big Mac hamburgers to determine differences in spending power made — and still makes — complete sense.
The Big Mac Index is still used as one of the primary ways to determine power parity and identify the average price that you’ll pay for living in each country.
Of course, the price increases are possible without much else changing — but it’s still an excellent way to identify whether certain nations have developed more than others.
The Big Mac Index is released every January and July, and at the time of writing, the most recent Big Mac Index came out in January 2022.
How much does a Big Mac cost in Denmark?
Going by the most recent Big Mac Index, we can see that the cost of a Big Mac in Denmark averages out at roughly 32 Danish Kroner (DKK). 1 DKK equals approximately $0.16 in the United States, so the direct exchange would be roughly $4.79.
According to the Economist’s research, the Danish Krone is currently undervalued by 17% based on the Big Mac Index. A Big Mac price increases over time in most cases, which can be due to several factors — such as better wages in that particular country or inflation.
But how much does a Big Mac cost in Denmark if we’re to go back in time? In January 2021, the price of McDonald’s most famous burger was 30 DKK. The DKK was 13.4% undervalued compared to the USD at that period.
What are McDonald’s prices in Denmark generally like?
Scandinavia is perhaps a little less interested in fast food restaurants than many other countries in Europe. Whereas you might stop at McDonald’s on the way home to have a meal in places like the US, these kinds of stores don’t really work like that in the far north.
Danes will typically eat McDonald’s on a day out as a treat for their children in some instances, and its restaurants are also popular places to grab something to eat before you head home after a night out.
Generally speaking, McDonald’s menu prices in Denmark are — like most other items — relatively high. For example, a McMeal (or an equivalent combo meal) will cost you around 80 DKK (roughly $11.95), according to Numbeo.
Compared to New York City, you’ll generally pay 19.5% more; the same meal would cost around $10 (66.95 DKK) in the US’ largest city.
It’s important to remember that the cost of a Big Mac can vary in different parts of respective countries. You might find that you pay less outside of Copenhagen and Aarhus in Denmark; likewise if you travel to somewhere like Kansas or Oklahoma in the US.
Why is McDonald’s in Denmark so expensive?
McDonald’s costs more in Denmark for multiple reasons. First, it’s important to remember that almost everything in the country — including food — has a 25% sales tax added on top of the actual price.
Even if you go shopping in a supermarket, you aren’t exempt from paying this — though the good news is that it’s included in the displayed prices, so you don’t have to calculate anything.
Another reason McDonald’s prices in Denmark are high is that Danish workers are well-protected. Thanks to solid trade union laws and a collective focus, Danish McDonald’s workers enjoy higher wages — despite no federal minimum wage.
Moreover, employees get several benefits, such as sick leave.
Granted, the country does have a “flexicurity” model — which makes it easy for companies to fire employees. However, compared to their American counterparts, the safety net is much larger if something occurs.
What is the cost of a Big Mac in Denmark compared to the other Nordic countries?
Now that we’ve discussed McDonald’s prices in Denmark and why Big Macs and quarter pounders cost more, it’s worth looking at the differences compared to the other Nordic countries.
Before we go any further, it’s worth pointing out that Iceland hasn’t been a happy place for many fast food companies — and McDonald’s is one of many to try its luck without success. Instead, we’ll compare Norway, Sweden, and Finland with Denmark.
Norway
Norway is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet, but it’s also one of the priciest. And the nation’s cost of living is evident if you look at its McDonald’s outlets; the price of Big Macs in the country average out at 57 Norwegian Kroner, which is 44.02(!) DKK and $6.58.
Of course, we also need to remember that Norway is one of the world’s wealthiest countries, and its median income is very high. Like Denmark, employees in Norway earn a living wage — even though no mandatory minimum hourly price exists.
Sweden
None of the Nordic countries are particularly budget-friendly, but Sweden is relatively affordable to visit compared to Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. Nonetheless, the country still has a high standard of living, and the price of a Big Mac here is 54 Swedish Kronor.
54 SEK is roughly 38 DKK and $5.81 if we compare the market exchange rate to U.S. Dollars. Like Norway and Denmark, McDonald’s employees in Sweden aren’t subjected to a minimum wage — but working conditions are good.
Like many unskilled workers in the country, they’re paid pretty well.
Finland
Finland is a bit of an anomaly compared to its Nordic cousins. The Finnish language has next to nothing in common with any of the others, and it’s the only Nordic country in the Euro Area (unless you class Estonia as Nordic, but the official definition does not).
Working out how much a Big Mac costs in Finland is tricky because The Economist’s Big Mac Index covers the average for the Eurozone as a whole. For the Euro Area, the median price of a Big Mac is €4.42 — which is just under 33 DKK and around $4.92.
Considering that Finland is one of the most expensive countries to use the Euro, we can guess that it’s closer to the upper part of that price.
How expensive is the price of a Big Mac in Denmark compared to other countries?
Now that we’ve covered McDonald’s prices in Denmark compared to the other Nordic countries, it’s worth looking at a selection of other nations. Below, you’ll see how much a Big Mac costs in Denmark compared to three other Western countries.
Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the richest countries globally, and it’s more expensive than Norway in many instances. The Big Mac Index backs that up, with a Big Mac in Switzerland costing 6.50 Swiss Francs — which is just over $7 and almost 47 DKK.
Canada
Canada shares many similarities with the US, but it’s probably a little more similar to Europe culturally. A Big Mac costs a little more than Denmark, with $6.77 CAD coming in at just over 36 DKK.
The UK
The UK and Denmark have a lot of cultural similarities, with their love for beer and football being two. Their Big Mac Prices are also pretty similar. A Big Mac in the UK costs £3.59 across the North Sea, which is 31.58 DKK and almost bang on the same.
McDonald’s prices in Denmark come at a premium
How much does a Big Mac cost in Denmark, then? Well, now you know.
Denmark is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, with high tax rates to match. But it’s clear to see that both are worth it for such a high quality of life. The Danes receive good health care, generous maternity leave, and several other benefits.
You can’t gauge a complete picture of the cost of living without factoring in your personal lifestyle choices, but the Big Mac Index is probably about as good of a leveler as you’ll get.
Big Mac prices in Denmark are among some of the highest on the globe, but McDonald’s employees in the country enjoy much better working conditions than in most other places.
You might not work at McDonald’s in Copenhagen, but you’ll almost certainly enjoy a wonderful life if you move here — so why not read up and decide for yourself if it’s worth moving?
Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia.
