Ongoing major studies

Teaching hours and teacher qualifications in the Danish public schools

Rigsrevisionen is examining whether the Ministry of Children and Education has satisfactorily followed up on whether the public schools comply with the statutory minimum number of teaching hours in Danish and mathematics, and whether the teaching of these subjects is carried out by teachers with subject-specific teaching competence. 

Each year, the public schools are required to provide a minimum number of teaching hours in Danish and mathematics at every form level. As a general rule, the teaching must be delivered by teachers who have completed teacher education and who have specialised in Danish or mathematics as part of their degree programme, or who have obtained equivalent competence to teach the subjects. These requirements are intended to support the objective that all pupils benefit from the teaching.

Planned publication: Second quarter of 2026.

The overall costs of the F-35 combat aircraft

Rigsrevisionen is examining the Ministry of Defence’s expenditure related to the acquisition and operation of the F-35 combat aircraft. 

The purchase of the F-35 combat aircraft represents one of the state’s largest single investments. In 2017, the Danish Parliament approved a financial resolution for the acquisition, which stated that the total estimated costs for procurement and operation would amount to approximately DKK 57 billion. 

Planned publication: Second quarter of 2026.

The control of pesticide use

Rigsrevisionen is examining whether the Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality and the Ministry of Green Transition’s control of pesticide use is satisfactory. 

A broad majority in the Danish Parliament has, with the latest pesticide strategy for 2022-2026, set a target to reduce the impact of pesticide use by almost 70% compared to 2011. An important part of the strategy is increased control. 

The agricultural sector uses pesticides to combat weeds, pests and fungal diseases in their fields, but this may affect the aquatic environment, groundwater, biodiversity and the health of the Danish population. We examine how the authorities ensure that the rules on the use of pesticides are complied with.

Planned publication: Second or third quarter of 2026.

The regions’ diagnostic assessment of citizens for dementia

Rigsrevisionen is examining whether the regions have ensured early assessment of high and consistent quality for citizens who are examined for dementia. 

According to figures from the Danish Health Authority, around 100,000 citizens in Denmark live with a dementia-related illness. Under the Health Service Act, citizens have the right to a diagnostic assessment for dementia within 30 days, if professionally possible. The regions have defined a number of development targets for the quality of dementia diagnostic assessment.

Planned publication: Third quarter of 2026.

The Danish Environmental Protection Agency’s permits for and supervision of marine fish farms

In September 2025, the Public Accounts Committee requested Rigsrevisionen to examine whether the Danish Environmental Protection Agency’s permits for and supervision of marine fish farms are satisfactory. 

The study will assess, among other things, whether the 19 location permits and environmental approvals issued for marine fish farms comply with the applicable legal requirements, how long it takes to obtain a permit and an approval, and whether the Danish Environmental Protection Agency’s supervision of the marine fish farms has been sufficiently comprehensive. 

Planned publication: Third quarter of 2026.

DSB’s Procurement of IC5 trains

Rigsrevisionen is examining whether DSB is ensuring a satisfactory implementation of the procurement of the new electric IC5 trains, and whether the Ministry of Transport has exercised adequate oversight of DSB’s procurement process. The IC5 trains are intended to replace the current IC3 and IC4 trains. 

Planned publication: Fourth quarter of 2026.

Grant administration at the Danish Film Institute

Rigsrevisionen is examining whether the Danish Film Institute has ensured, and whether the Ministry of Culture has supported, a satisfactory administration of film funding. 

In 2024, the Danish Film Institute awarded more than DKK 400 million in support for, among other things, the development and production of Danish films. It is important that the grant administration process is transparent and that the intended outcomes of the film funding are achieved. 

Planned publication: Fourth quarter of 2026.

Medicine subsidies

Rigsrevisionen is examining whether the Ministry of the Interior and Health and the regions have ensured that medicine subsidies are paid only to citizens who are entitled to receive them. 

The regions pay approximately DKK 7.6 billion in medicine subsidies each year. A large proportion of these subsidies are subject to various conditions that citizens must meet in order to be eligible. In several cases, the conditions are justified by the risk of substance abuse and addiction.

Planned publication: Fourth quarter of 2026.

Compliance with requirements for teacher qualifications in upper secondary education

Rigsrevisionen is examining whether vocational colleges and upper secondary schools, as well as the Ministry of Education, ensure that students receive instruction from teachers with the required qualifications.

Planned publication: Fourth quarter of 2026.

The processing of workers’ compensation claims in Labour Market Insurance (AES) 

Rigsrevisionen is examining whether Labour Market Insurance (AES) and the Ministry of Employment have ensured faster and more efficient processing of workers’ compensation claims. 

Each year, approximately 50,000 new industrial injuries are reported to AES. For a number of years, the processing times in workers’ compensation claims have been criticised for being too long. It follows from the political agreement on an improved workers’ compensation system from 2022 that processing times are to be reduced and that citizens’ overall workers’ compensation process is to be simplified so that cases do not drag on for years.

Planned publication: First quarter of 2027.

The Danish authorities’ enforcement of international sanctions 

Rigsrevisionen is examining whether the authorities are satisfactorily enforcing the sanctions imposed by the EU on selected countries, including Russia. The study examines, among other things, whether the authorities coordinate their efforts, monitor compliance with the sanctions, and respond to potential violations. 

If the sanctions are not enforced adequately, their practical effect will be limited. 

The study covers the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs, the Ministry of Taxation and Economic Growth and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Affairs and Transport.

Planned publication: First quarter of 2027.

Controls of pig transports to foreign countries 

In May 2026, the Danish Public Accounts Committee requested that Rigsrevisionen examine the controls of pig transports to foreign countries. 

In 2020, Rigsrevisionen submitted a report on the inspection of the welfare of animals during transport covering the period 2008-2018. In June 2020, a political agreement was reached on a holistic, more risk-based and data-driven control concept for animal transports. The 2020 agreement included eight initiatives intended to strengthen the controls of animal transports. In particular, a number of requirements were introduced for long-distance animal transports exceeding 8 hours. 

The number of pigs transported out of Denmark increased from 12.5 million in 2015 to 17.3 million in 2025. In 2015, approximately 6.9 million pigs were transported for more than 8 hours, rising to approximately 13.6 million in 2025. 

Against this background, the Danish Public Accounts Committee has requested that Rigsrevisionen repeat the study from 2020. The study will cover the period from mid-2020 to mid-2026 and will follow up on the political agreement of June 2020.

Planned publication: Second quarter of 2027.