Surf Wiki
Save to docs
general/government-ministries-of-denmark

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Ministry of Social Affairs (Denmark)

Government ministry of Denmark

Government ministry of Denmark

FieldValue
nameMinistry of Social Affairs and Housing
imageSocialministeriet.jpg
image_captionHeadquarters of the ministry on Holmens Kanal
formed
jurisdictionGovernment of Denmark
headquarters22 Holmens Kanal, Copenhagen
chief1_nameSophie Hæstorp Andersen
chief1_positionMinister
child1_agencyCouncil for Ethnic Minorities
websitehttps://www.sm.dk

The Ministry of Social Affairs () is a Danish cabinet ministry responsible for policies related to the social welfare of the inhabitants of Denmark. As of 2025, it is responsible for the following policy areas: disability law, family law, public housing, social exclusion, social vulnerability, and the voluntary sector.

A ministry of social affairs was first established in Denmark in 1924. It has been re-organized, re-established, and renamed several times since. The ministry was established under its current name, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing (Danish: Social- og Boligministeriet), in 2024. The current minister is Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.

History

The Ministry of Social Affairs was first established in 1924, under the first government led by the Social Democrats, Thorvald Stauning's first cabinet. The ministry overtook responsibility for social affairs, international social policy, child welfare, and mental health services—roles which previously fell within the purview of the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Education.

The ministry was abolished in 1926 when Stauning's cabinet was succeeded by the Venstre Party. When Stauning came back to power in 1929, the ministry was re-established. In 1940, the responsibility for labor law was separated from the ministry, forming the Ministry of Labor. Between 1945–1947 and 1950–1953 the two ministries were merged.

In 2007, the ministry was replaced by the Ministry of Welfare (Danish: Velfærdsministeriet) and the Ministry of Health and Prevention. The Ministry of Social Affairs was re-established in February 2010, taking over the roles of the Ministry of Welfare. This included the supervision of the Sikringsstyrelsen, a directorate which worked to secure citizens' social rights, including in the form of international pension and social security, across national borders.

With the formation of Helle Thorning-Schmidt's first cabinet in October 2011, the ministry was renamed the Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration, and took over responsibility for integration policy from the Ministry of Refugees, Immigrants and Integration (Danish: Ministeriet for Flygtninge, Indvandrere og Integration). The name of the ministry again changed in 2013 to the Ministry of Social Affairs, Children and Integration when it overtook responsibility for child welfare from the Ministry of Education. In 2014, its name was changed to the Ministry of Children, Equality, Integration and Social Affairs and in 2015 it was renamed the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Interior.

In 2016, the ministry was briefly reformed as the Ministry of Children and Social Affairs before returning to be the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Interior in 2019. In 2021 the ministry was renamed as the Ministry of Social Affairs and Elderly Affairs. In 2022, the ministry merged with the Ministry for Housing to form the Ministry of Social Affairs, Housing, and Elderly Affairs. In 2024, an independent Ministry of Elderly Affairs was formed and separated from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing.

List of ministers

No.PortraitName
(born-died)Term of officePolitical partyGovernmentRef.Took officeLeft officeTime in officeMinister of Social Affairs
(Socialminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
(Arbejds- og socialminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Minister of Social Affairs
(Socialminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
(Arbejds- og socialminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Venstre (Denmark)}};"Venstre (Denmark)}};"Minister of Social Affairs
(Socialminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
(Arbejds- og socialminister)Conservative People's Party (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Minister of Social Affairs
(Socialminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
(Arbejds- og socialminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Minister of Social Affairs
(Socialminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Venstre (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Venstre (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Venstre (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Conservative People's Party (Denmark)}};"Venstre (Denmark)}};"Centre Democrats (Denmark)}};"Danish Social Liberal Party}};"Venstre (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Centre Democrats (Denmark)}};"Centre Democrats (Denmark)}};"Centre Democrats (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Conservative People's Party (Denmark)}};"Venstre (Denmark)}};"Venstre (Denmark)}};"Minister of Welfare
(Velfærdsminister)Venstre (Denmark)}};"Minister of the Interior and Social Affairs
(Indenrigs- og socialminister)Venstre (Denmark)}};"Minister of Social Affairs
(Socialminister)Conservative People's Party (Denmark)}};"Minister of Social Affairs and Integration
(Social- og integrationsminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Minister of Social Affairs, Children and Integration
(Social-, børne- og integrationsminister)Socialist People's Party (Denmark)}};"Minister of Children, Gender Equality, Integration and Social Affairs
(Minister for Børn, Ligestilling, Integration og Sociale forhold)Danish Social Liberal Party}};"Minister of the Interior and Social Affairs
(Indenrigs- og socialminister)Venstre (Denmark)}};"Minister of Children and Social Affairs
(Børne- og socialminister)Conservative People's Party (Denmark)}};"Minister of Social Affairs and the Interior
(Social- og indenrigsminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Minister of Social and Elderly Affairs
(Social- og ældreminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Minister of Social Affairs and Housing
(Social- og boligminister)Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"Social Democrats (Denmark)}};"
1[[File:Thorvald Stauning, Det Kongelige Bibliotek (45) (cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Thorvald Stauning
(1873–1942)18 November 19185 April 1920Social DemocratsZahle II
2[[File:Jensjensen.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Jens Jensen
(1859–1928)5 April 19205 May 1920Social DemocratsFriis
3[[File:Frederik Borgbjerg 02.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Frederik Borgbjerg
(1866–1936)23 April 192414 December 1926Social DemocratsStauning I
4[[File:Karl Kristian Steincke.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Karl Kristian Steincke
(1880–1962)30 April 19294 November 1935Social DemocratsStauning II
5[[File:Ludvig Christensen (Stauning 65 cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1878–1956)5 November 19358 July 1940Social DemocratsStauning III–IV–V
6[[File:Johannes Kjærbøl (63) (cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Johannes Kjærbøl
(1885–1973)8 July 19409 November 1942Social DemocratsStauning VI
Buhl I
7[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Laurits Hansen
(1894–1965)9 November 194229 August 1943Social DemocratsScavenius
No Danish government (29 August 1943 – 5 May 1945). Office is assumed by the permanent secretary.
8[[File:Hans Hedtoft by Elfelt & Co.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Hans Hedtoft
(1903–1955)5 May 19457 November 1945Social DemocratsBuhl II
9[[File:Søren Peter Larsen elfelt-kongelig-hoffotograf-formentlig-1945.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1888–1948)7 November 194524 April 1947VenstreKristensentitle=Regeringen Kristensenurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-Kristensen/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=30 August 2025language=da}}
10[[File:Jens Sønderup.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Jens Sønderup
(1894–1978)24 April 194713 November 1947VenstreKristensen
11[[File:Johan Strøm (Hedtoft I cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1898–1958)13 November 194730 October 1950Social DemocratsHedtoft I–II
12[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Poul Sørensen
(1904–1969)30 October 195030 September 1953Conservative People's PartyEriksentitle=Regeringen Erik Eriksenurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-erik-eriksen/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=30 August 2025language=da}}
(11)[[File:Johan Strøm (Hedtoft I cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1898–1958)30 September 19531 November 1953Social DemocratsHedtoft IIItitle=Regeringen Hedtoft IIIurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-Hedtoft-iii/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=30 August 2025language=da}}
(11)[[File:Johan Strøm (Hedtoft I cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1898–1958)1 November 195328 May 1957Social DemocratsHedtoft III
Hansen Ititle=Regeringen H.C. Hansen Iurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-hc-hansen-i/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=30 August 2025language=da}}
13[[File:Julius Bomholt by Elfelt & Co.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Julius Bomholt
(1896–1969)28 May 19577 September 1961Social DemocratsHansen II
Kampmann I–II
14[[File:Kaj Bundvad by Elfelt & Co.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1904–1976)7 September 19613 September 1962Social DemocratsKampmann II
(14)[[File:Kaj Bundvad by Elfelt & Co.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1904–1976)3 September 196227 August 1963Social DemocratsKrag Ititle=Regeringen Jens Otto Krag Iurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-jens-otto-krag-i/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=30 August 2025language=da}}
(14)[[File:Kaj Bundvad by Elfelt & Co.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1904–1976)27 August 19632 February 1968Social DemocratsKrag I–IItitle=Regeringen Jens Otto Krag IIurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-jens-otto-krag-ii/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=30 August 2025language=da}}
15[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Nathalie Lind
(1918–1999)2 February 196811 October 1971VenstreBaunsgaard
16[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Eva Gredal
(1927–1995)11 October 197119 December 1973Social DemocratsKrag III
Jørgensen I
17[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1915–1990)19 December 197313 February 1975VenstreHartling
(16)[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Eva Gredal
(1927–1995)13 February 197530 August 1978Social DemocratsJørgensen II
18[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1919–2000)30 August 197826 October 1979VenstreJørgensen III
19[[File:Ritt Bjerregaard - 1995 (cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Ritt Bjerregaard
(1941–2023)26 October 197930 December 1981Social DemocratsJørgensen IV
20[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1931–2000)30 December 198127 April 1982Social DemocratsJørgensen Vtitle=Regeringen Anker Jørgensen Vurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-anker-joergensen-v/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=30 August 2025language=da}}
21[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1929–2015)27 April 198210 September 1982Social DemocratsJørgensen V
22[[File:Palle Simonsen.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]****
(1933–2014)10 September 198223 July 1984Conservative People's PartySchlüter Ititle=Regeringen Poul Schlüter Iurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-poul-schlueter-i/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=10 November 2025language=da}}
23[[File:noimage.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Elsebeth Kock-Petersen
(born 1949)23 July 198412 March 1986VenstreSchlüter I
24[[File:noimage.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Mimi Jakobsen
(born 1948)12 March 19863 June 1988Centre DemocratsSchlüter I–IItitle=Regeringen Poul Schlüter IIurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-poul-schlueter-ii/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=10 November 2025language=da}}
25[[File:noimage.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Aase Olesen
(1934–2013)3 June 198818 December 1990Social LiberalSchlüter IIItitle=Regeringen Poul Schlüter IIIurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-poul-schlueter-iii/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=10 November 2025language=da}}
26[[File:noimage.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Else Winther Andersen
(born 1941)18 December 199025 January 1993VenstreSchlüter IV
27[[File:noimage.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Karen Jespersen
(born 1947)25 January 199328 January 1994Social DemocratsP. N. Rasmussen Ititle=Regeringen Poul Nyrup Rasmussen Iurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-poul-nyrup-rasmussen-i/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=19 October 2025language=da}}
28[[File:noimage.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Bente Juncker
(born 1944)28 January 199411 February 1994Centre DemocratsP. N. Rasmussen I
29[[File:noimage.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Yvonne Herløv Andersen
(born 1942)11 February 199427 September 1994Centre DemocratsP. N. Rasmussen I
(27)[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Karen Jespersen
(born 1947)27 September 199423 February 2000Centre DemocratsP. N. Rasmussen II–III–IV
30[[File:Henrik Dam Kristensen (S) Danmarks delegation till Nordiska radet.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Henrik Dam Kristensen
(born 1957)23 February 200027 November 2001Social DemocratsP. N. Rasmussen IV
31[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Henriette Kjær
(born 1966)27 November 20012 August 2004Conservative People's PartyA. F. Rasmussen Ititle=Regeringen Anders Fogh Rasmussen Iurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-anders-fogh-rasmussen-i/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=19 October 2025language=da}}
32[[File:20181204 Eva Kjer Hansen Granshindermote Folketinget Greater Copenhagen OresundDirekt 0041 (45332844785) (cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Eva Kjer Hansen
(born 1964)2 August 200412 September 2007VenstreA. F. Rasmussen I–IItitle=Regeringen Anders Fogh Rasmussen IIurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-anders-fogh-rasmussen-ii/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=19 October 2025language=da}}
(27)[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Karen Jespersen
(born 1947)12 September 200723 November 2007VenstreA. F. Rasmussen II
(27)[[File:no image.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Karen Jespersen
(born 1947)23 November 20077 April 2009VenstreA. F. Rasmussen III
33[[File:Karen Ellemann miljominister, minister for nordisk samarbejde Danmark (1).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Karen Ellemann
(born 1969)7 April 200923 February 2010VenstreL. L. Rasmussen Ititle=Regeringen Lars Løkke Rasmussen Iurl=https://stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-lars-loekke-rasmussen-i/website=Statsministerietpublisher=Prime Minister's Officeaccess-date=13 November 2025language=da}}
34[[File:KF-Kiær.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Benedikte Kiær
(born 1969)23 February 20103 October 2011Conservative People's PartyL. L. Rasmussen I
35[[File:Karen Hækkerup, pressefoto.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Karen Hækkerup
(born 1974)3 October 20119 August 2013Social DemocratsThorning-Schmidt Ititle=Regeringen Helle Thorning-Schmidt Iurl=https://www.stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-helle-thorning-schmidt-i/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=17 September 2024language=da}}
36[[File:Statsminister Helle Thorning-Schmidt, Annette Vilhelmsen og Holger K. Nielsen (cropped to Annette Vilhelmsen).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Annette Vilhelmsen
(born 1959)9 August 20133 February 2014Green LeftThorning-Schmidt I
37[[File:Manu Sareen.jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Manu Sareen
(born 1967)3 October 201128 June 2015Social LiberalsThorning-Schmidt IItitle=Regeringen Helle Thorning-Schmidt IIurl=https://www.stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-helle-thorning-schmidt-ii/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=17 September 2024language=da}}
(33)[[File:Karen Ellemann miljominister, minister for nordisk samarbejde Danmark (1).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Karen Ellemann
(born 1969)28 June 201528 November 2016VenstreL. L. Rasmussen II
38[[File:blank.pngframelessupright=0.3]]Mai Mercado
(born 1980)28 November 201627 June 2019ConservativesL. L. Rasmussen IIItitle=Regeringen Lars Løkke Rasmussen IIIurl=https://www.stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-lars-loekke-rasmussen-iii/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=17 September 2024language=da}}
39[[File:Astrid Krag 34084 (cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Astrid Krag
(born 1982)27 June 201921 January 2021Social DemocratsFrederiksen Ititle=Regeringen Mette Frederiksen Iurl=https://www.stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-mette-frederiksen-i/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=17 September 2024language=da}}
(39)[[File:Astrid Krag 34084 (cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Astrid Krag
(born 1982)21 January 202115 December 2022Social DemocratsFrederiksen I
40[[File:Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil (08-11-19, Bruxelles) (cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Pernille Rosenkrantz-Theil
(born 1977)15 December 202229 August 2024Social DemocratsFrederiksen II
41[[File:20230428 Sophie Haestorp Andersen Greater Copenhagen toppmote Malmo 0334 (52853575663) (cropped).jpgframelessupright=0.3]]Sophie Hæstorp Andersen
(born 1974)29 August 2024IncumbentSocial DemocratFrederiksen IItitle=Regeringen Mette Frederiksen IIurl=https://www.stm.dk/regeringen/regeringer-siden-1848/regeringen-mette-frederiksen-ii/website=Statsministerietaccess-date=17 September 2024language=da}}

Notes

References

References

  1. "Ministry of Social Affairs".
  2. Rambusch, Sigurd. (3 May 2023). "Socialministeriet". [[Den Store Danske]].
  3. Rasmussen, Uffe. (11 October 2011). "Velfærdsministeriet". [[Den Store Danske]].
  4. Rasmussen, Uffe. (12 December 2016). "Social- og Indenrigsministeriet". [[Den Store Danske]].
  5. (21 January 2021). "Nyt Indenrigs- og Boligministerium".
  6. (29 August 2024). "Ændringer i regeringen".
  7. "Regeringen Zahle II".
  8. "Regeringen Friis".
  9. "Regeringen Stauning I".
  10. "Regeringen Stauning II".
  11. "Regeringen Stauning III".
  12. "Regeringen Stauning IV".
  13. "Regeringen Stauning V".
  14. "Regeringen Stauning VI".
  15. "Regeringen Buhl I".
  16. "Regeringen Scavenius".
  17. "Regeringen Buhl II".
  18. "Regeringen Kristensen".
  19. "Regeringen Hedtoft I".
  20. "Regeringen Hedtoft II".
  21. "Regeringen Erik Eriksen".
  22. "Regeringen Hedtoft III".
  23. "Regeringen H.C. Hansen I".
  24. "Regeringen H.C. Hansen II".
  25. "Regeringen Viggo Kampmann I".
  26. "Regeringen Viggo Kampmann II".
  27. "Regeringen Jens Otto Krag I".
  28. "Regeringen Jens Otto Krag II".
  29. "Regeringen Hilmar Baunsgaard".
  30. "Regeringen Jens Otto Krag III".
  31. "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen I".
  32. "Regeringen Poul Hartling".
  33. "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen II".
  34. "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen III".
  35. "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen IV".
  36. "Regeringen Anker Jørgensen V".
  37. "Regeringen Poul Schlüter I".
  38. "Regeringen Poul Schlüter II".
  39. "Regeringen Poul Schlüter III".
  40. "Regeringen Poul Schlüter IV".
  41. "Regeringen Poul Nyrup Rasmussen I".
  42. "Regeringen Poul Nyrup Rasmussen II".
  43. "Regeringen Poul Nyrup Rasmussen III".
  44. "Regeringen Poul Nyrup Rasmussen IV".
  45. "Regeringen Anders Fogh Rasmussen I".
  46. "Regeringen Anders Fogh Rasmussen II".
  47. "Regeringen Anders Fogh Rasmussen III".
  48. "Regeringen Lars Løkke Rasmussen I". Prime Minister's Office.
  49. "Regeringen Helle Thorning-Schmidt I".
  50. "Regeringen Helle Thorning-Schmidt II".
  51. "Regeringen Lars Løkke Rasmussen II".
  52. "Regeringen Lars Løkke Rasmussen III".
  53. "Regeringen Mette Frederiksen I".
  54. "Regeringen Mette Frederiksen II".
Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

government-ministries-of-denmark society-of-denmark social-affairs-ministries government-ministries-established-in-1924 government-ministries-established-in-2024
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Ministry of Social Affairs (Denmark) — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report