The economic impact of Lundbeck
Original title: Lundbecks økonomiske fodaftryk
Lundbeck aims to advance brain health and transform lives by developing new and improved treatments that make a meaningful difference for people living with brain diseases. Lundbeck is engaged in research, development, manufacturing, and commercialisation of pharmaceuticals across the world.
Lundbeck supports the Danish and global economy through its research and development (R&D), manufacturing, and commercial activities, all of which are part of its international value chain. Lundbeck is one of the few pharmaceutical companies in the world focusing exclusively on brain diseases, and it generates economic value across regions while supporting specialised, high‑skill employment.
MAIN CONCLUSIONS OF OUR STUDY
In Denmark, Lundbeck supported Danish GDP by EUR 1.86 billion (DKK 13.86 billion) and 8,580 jobs in 2025. Supported refers to the wider economic activity enabled by Lundbeck’s presence in Denmark, going beyond Lundbeck’s total revenue and direct employment. The effects capture total GDP and employment effects arising in Lundbeck and along its value chain. They materialise directly through Lundbeck’s headquarters, R&D facilities, manufacturing sites and subsidiaries, and indirectly through domestic supply‑chain activity. Overall, Lundbeck remains a cornerstone of Denmark’s life science ecosystem, and it is a productive company with productivity levels 174% higher than the Danish industry average and 16% higher than the pharmaceutical industry average in Denmark. Additionally, Lundbeck is among the largest corporate R&D investors in Denmark.
Across global markets, Lundbeck’s economic impact extends through its international production, commercial presence in more than 50 countries, and global R&D investments. In EU27, Lundbeck supported EUR 2.76 billion in GDP and 15,490 jobs in 2025 through for example manufacturing in France and Italy in addition to their activities in Denmark. Globally, Lundbeck supported EUR 5.38 billion in GDP and 43,180 jobs. These European and global economic impacts capture all value generated from Lundbeck’s activities, sales, exports, and R&D activities.
Together, these findings highlight Lundbeck’s importance to Denmark and the EU and its role as a globally active pharmaceutical company that supports economic value and innovation beyond its home market.
Download the report in English below and in Danish here.
In brief
Lundbeck supported EUR 1.86 billion of Danish GDP and 8,580 jobs in 2025, and EUR 5.38 billion and 43,180 jobs globally.
EUR 1.86 bn. The Danish GDP supported by Lundbeck in 2025, counting direct, indirect, and induced effects. Of that, EUR 900 million was direct, alongside 2,090 people directly employed.
43,180 jobsGlobal total for 2025. Across the EU27 the figures are EUR 2.76 billion and 15,490 jobs, supported partly through manufacturing in France and Italy.
174%How far Lundbeck’s productivity exceeds the Danish industry average, and 16 per cent above the Danish pharmaceutical industry average.
3.5 million m³ Largest single contribution from the measures, from alternative materials: lime-stabilised soil, soil washing, and incinerator bottom ash aggregate. Material-efficient design contributes a further 2 million m³; better use of construction waste adds nothing on a net basis.
50+ countriesNumber of countries where Lundbeck has a commercial presence, with products registered in more than 80 countries and a portfolio reaching 27.8 million people in 2025.
Commissioned by H. Lundbeck A/S. Published May 2026. Reference year 2025. Denmark, the EU27, and global.
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About this analysis
Copenhagen Economics quantified Lundbeck’s contribution to GDP and employment in Denmark, the EU27, and globally, across its research and development, manufacturing, and commercial activities. The estimates come from an input-output model built on the World Input-Output Database and Lundbeck’s own data, including its 2025 annual report, capturing direct effects at Lundbeck’s headquarters, R&D facilities, manufacturing sites, and subsidiaries, indirect effects along the supply chain, and induced effects through household consumption. The report states explicitly that the analysis estimates the share of current economic activity sustained by Lundbeck, rather than claiming those effects would disappear entirely in its absence, and that the model captures spending at the margin on the understanding that the economy would partially reallocate labour and capital. Methodology is documented in an appendix.
The report sets out three limitations of input-output analysis. The model is static and assumes no supply-side constraints, so additional output requires no additional labour, capital, or intermediate inputs, markets do not clear through prices, and activity in one industry does not crowd out activity elsewhere. Production structures are fixed at historical industry averages, with technologies, trade patterns, and employment relationships held constant. Prices are assumed constant, so the model captures neither wage and price responses to changing demand nor substitution by firms or consumers. The report separately describes its personal income tax estimate as an order-of-magnitude indication based on industry averages rather than actual Lundbeck salaries, and treats one employment source as full-time equivalents as a conservative assumption where the underlying data may report headcount.