Politics · Other · 3 hrs ago
Danish students protest proposed cuts to student allowances
Thousands of Danish students protested in Copenhagen against a government plan to reduce student support.
The demonstration was part of a wider wave of youth protests in Europe, which began in France and has included concerns about living costs and housing.
Since 1970, students over 18 in Denmark have received an allowance regardless of their parents’ income.
The proposal would end payments for students whose parents earn more than 700,000 kroner a year, while reducing payments for some other students based on family income.
Organisers said about 40,000 students at 57 schools were on strike, and the government expects 14,000 to lose their allowance and 8,000 to receive less.
The government says the cuts would free up money for defence spending, while student groups say they threaten educational support; the proposal is not described as having been approved.
Thousands of students in Denmark protested a government proposal to cut student allowances.
Organisers said up to 13,000 people marched in Copenhagen, while about 40,000 students were on strike at 57 schools across the country.
The proposal would end allowances for students living with parents whose annual income exceeds 700,000 Danish kroner.
The government says the cuts would free up funds for defence spending.
Student groups say the changes threaten financial support for education.
- Who
- Students and student associations in Denmark.
- What
- They protested a proposed reduction to student allowances.
- When
- November 4, 2026, according to the articles; one article says the march was on Monday, while the other says Wednesday.
- Where
- Copenhagen, with strikes at 57 schools across Denmark.
- Why
- The government proposed changes to student allowances to free up funds for defence spending.
Danish government
Student protesters
Purpose of proposal
Danish government
The cuts would free up funds for defence spending.
Student protesters
Students opposed the proposed cuts to their allowances.
Impact
Danish government
The Higher Education Ministry said around 14,000 students were expected to lose stipends and about 8,000 to have them reduced.
Student protesters
Protesters said the cuts would reduce support for young people pursuing education.
Students over the age of 18 enrolled in Danish schools or universities have automatically received an allowance regardless of their parents’ income.
Students marched in Copenhagen against proposed allowance cuts; one article describes the march as taking place on Monday, while the other says it was on Wednesday.
- Copenhagen march
- Organisers said up to 13,000 students took part; SCMP reported 12,000 to 13,000.
- Student strikes
- About 40,000 students at 57 schools across Denmark.
- Allowance threshold
- The proposal would abolish support for students living with parents earning over 700,000 Danish kroner a year.
- Expected impact
- Around 14,000 students would lose their stipends and about 8,000 would see them reduced.
3 sources
What people are saying
In Denmark, we get funding and economic support for getting an education, and we’re very proud of this
I’m infuriated that we finally get a supposedly ‘red’ government in Denmark that includes the left parties … we get cuts to our welfare and to the economies of young people whilst they’re funding corporate tax reductions and warfare
are not pleasant decisions