Erhvervs

Erhverv is a Danish term that refers to the activities by which people earn income, including trades, industry, and services. It can denote an individual’s occupation as well as the broader field of business activity or the economy.

In public discourse, erhverv is often contrasted with other aspects such as the public sector or agriculture, and is used in terms like erhvervsliv, erhvervsuddannelse, and erhvervsfremme. The word is commonly found in policy, education, and business contexts to describe economic activity and employment.

Economic role: The concept encompasses various sectors, from manufacturing and construction to retail and healthcare. It is closely associated with entrepreneurship, regulation, and labor markets. Vocational education (erhvervsuddannelse) aims to prepare individuals for specific trades within the erhverv economy.

Terminology: Erhverv is sometimes used as a general noun for a person’s occupation ("hans erhverv") or as a generic label for the business world, sometimes translated as "business" or "commerce" in English. Related terms include næringsliv (the business community), erhvervsliv (the business life), and erhvervssektor (the business sector).