- Denmark underwent an administrative-territorial reform from 2002-2007 that consolidated municipalities and transferred some tasks between local and regional levels. - A commission reviewed the structure and made recommendations, including larger municipalities and regions to improve services and efficiency. - The reform consolidated 98 municipalities into fewer, larger units and created 5 new regions responsible primarily for healthcare, with other tasks shifting between local and regional authorities.

1. The Administrative-Territorial Reform in Denmark 2002-2007 By Holger Pyndt, Director

4. Schematic organisation of the Danish local government system 2003 The central government 13 counties Copenhagen, Frederiksberg and Bornholm 269 muni- cipalities

5. Size of Municipalities 2003 Largest: Copenhagen (502,362) Smallest: Læsø (2,145) Inhabitants Municipalities 0-4,999 16 5,000-9,999 113 10,000-19,999 77 20,000-49,999 48 50,000- 17

6. Distribution of counties according to population (2003) Largest: Århus (644.666) Smallest: Bornholm (44.197) Inhabitants Counties 0-199.999 2 200.000-299.999 9 300.000-399.999 1 400.000-499.999 3 500.000- 1

13. 98 new municipalities: 66 amalgamations 32 municipalities continue: - 2 voluntary cooperations - 3 islands

14. From 2007: 5 New Regions