The rising rat population in Copenhagen is causing concern, with one specific area receiving the most reports.

A report published by the Berlingske newspaper revealed a significant increase in the number of reports related to the spread of rats in the Danish capital, Copenhagen, over the past four years, amid growing concerns about the impact of these disease-carrying rodents on the population.

The report noted that rats are rodents capable of transmitting a range of diseases to humans, which makes their spread in residential areas a growing health concern for both authorities and residents.

Reports have increased over the past four years

The report stated that the number of rat reports in Copenhagen increased by 15 percent in just four years, an indicator reflecting a clear growth in the problem within the Danish capital.

The report stated that the Copenhagen municipality attributes this increase to improved public awareness and a greater willingness to report rat sightings, which has contributed to recording larger numbers of cases compared to previous years.

Vesterbro-Kongens Enghave region tops the list

According to data from Statistics Denmark, Vesterbro-Kongens Enghave topped the list of metropolitan areas in terms of the number of rat reports, with 1,123 reports recorded.

The Valby region came next, where up to November 2025, nearly a thousand reports of rat infestations had been recorded.

Difficulty in combating the spread

The report indicated that the municipality's pest control teams are struggling to keep up with the increasing number of reports, prompting politicians in the capital to decide to increase the budget allocated to combating these rodents that can transmit infectious diseases to humans.

The report explained that rat control costs will increase by about five million Danish kroner annually starting in 2027.

Increased fees for residents

The report indicated that rat control operations are funded through fees collected from residents as part of property tax, which will lead to an increase in these fees in the coming period.

According to the Berlingske newspaper, the annual fees for a 120-square-meter house will increase from about 142 Danish kroner per year to 177 kroner per year.

An expert links the phenomenon to the climate.

For his part, rat catcher Karsten Rothberg offered his explanation for the increase in rat numbers, considering that climate change and mild winters played an important role in exacerbating the problem.

Carsten Rothberg told the Berlingske newspaper: “We have experienced several very mild winters, and this is already having an effect because it provides them with better living conditions.”.

However, he explained that he does not expect the cold winter the country experienced this year to lead to a significant decrease in the number of rats, but at the same time he indicated that he does not expect a new sharp increase in the coming period.