Big increase in pensioner numbers

Since 2014, there has been a 13-percent increase in old age pensioners, i.e. people aged 67 or over.

In the same four-year period, the general population has increased by 3,000, and the number of salary earners has risen by 4,000.

These figures form part of the supplementary estimates presented to Parliament by the finance minister on Wednesday.

The big population increase has placed an extra burden on health and social services, and extra funding is needed to meet the growing demand.

The supplementary estimates include a DKK 10m additional grant to the National Hospital, and DKK 4m for the Public Health Insurance to cover extra costs for GPs, medicine, specialist doctors and various other health services.

Since there are now more people in employment, the national revenues have also grown. Government tax income and other public revenues have risen by 7 percent compared with this time last year.

Translated by prosa.fo