Copenhagen Consensus Center
Copenhagen Consensus Center is a non-profit think tank founded in 2002 that uses cost-benefit analysis to advise national governments and philanthropists on prioritizing global development investments. It operates through country-level prioritization projects in Bangladesh, Ghana, Malawi, India, and Haiti, drawing on a network of 300+ economists including seven Nobel Laureates.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersTewksbury, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Copenhagen Consensus Center does
Copenhagen Consensus Center is a non-profit think tank founded in 2002 that conducts and publishes cost-benefit analysis research on global development priorities. The organization operates as a private, donation-funded entity led by President Dr. Bjorn Lomborg, with dual presence in Copenhagen (the historical headquarters inferred from branding) and New York (the operational base indicated by a +1 347 contact number). Its core methodology is a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) framework that identifies all benefits and costs of policy interventions in dollars, calculates benefit-cost ratios, and ranks additional spending options by social return, with the stated threshold that recommended policies deliver at least $15 of social benefit per dollar spent.
The center's product portfolio is research- and convening-oriented rather than software-based. Flagship offerings include country-level prioritization projects (Bangladesh Priorities, Ghana Priorities, Malawi Priorities, India Consensus with state-level sub-projects in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, and Haiti Priorities), the regional Best Buys for Africa initiative, and the Halftime for SDGs analysis identifying 12 best investments for the Sustainable Development Goals. The work is grounded in a network of 300+ economists from internationally renowned institutions, including seven Nobel Laureates, and is published through peer-reviewed venues such as Cambridge University Press's Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis, alongside books including Best Things First and Prioritizing Development.
Revenue is generated almost exclusively through philanthropic donations and grants from foundations and high-profile individual donors (Bill Gates' endorsement is specifically cited), with all research distributed free of charge. Go-to-market operates through direct engagement with national governments and planning commissions via multi-country projects, complemented by media op-eds, newsletters, social channels, and quadrennial high-profile events. The organization has been recognized with Prospect Magazine's 2016 Think Tank of the Year award (International Affairs) and is repeatedly ranked among the top 20 think tank campaigns worldwide by the University of Pennsylvania survey. No acquisitions, venture funding, parent company, or commercial revenue streams are indicated in the available data.
Copenhagen Consensus Center firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Copenhagen Consensus Center
- Legal name
- Copenhagen Consensus Center
- Website
- https://copenhagenconsensus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Copenhagen Consensus Center is a non-profit think tank founded in 2002 that uses cost-benefit analysis to advise national governments and philanthropists on prioritizing global development investments. It operates through country-level prioritization projects in Bangladesh, Ghana, Malawi, India, and Haiti, drawing on a network of 300+ economists including seven Nobel Laureates.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Copenhagen Consensus Center industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Research and Consulting
- NAICS
- Business Associations (813910), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Global Health Research, Evidence & Technical Assistance Organizations (HLAJAKAN), International & Comparative Education Policy Organizations (EDADADAL)
Keywords
Where Copenhagen Consensus Center is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tewksbury
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Copenhagen Consensus Center business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Philanthropic Donations: The organization operates as a think tank funded primarily through donations and grants from philanthropists and foundations. Top philanthropists like Bill Gates have endorsed the approach.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Copenhagen Consensus Center product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Copenhagen Consensus Center is a think tank that researches and publishes cost-benefit analysis on global development priorities. It engages governments, policymakers, and philanthropists through country-level prioritization projects (e.g., Bangladesh Priorities, India Consensus, Ghana Priorities, Malawi Priorities, Haiti Priorities, Best Buys for Africa) and flagship initiatives like Halftime for SDGs, applying a benefit-cost ratio framework to identify the most cost-effective interventions. The center's research is conducted by a network of 300+ economists, including seven Nobel Laureates, and is published in peer-reviewed venues such as the Cambridge University Press Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis.
Product overview
Copenhagen Consensus Center is a think tank that conducts and publishes cost-benefit analysis research on global development priorities. Rather than a unified software product, it offers a portfolio of research projects, publications, and expert convening services. The core offerings include country-level prioritization projects (Bangladesh Priorities, Malawi Priorities, Ghana Priorities, India Consensus, Haiti Priorities) that apply cost-benefit analysis frameworks to help governments identify the most effective development investments. The flagship Halftime for SDGs project identifies 12 best investments for the Sustainable Development Goals. Additional offerings include the Best Buys for Africa regional initiative, the triennial Copenhagen Consensus III event, peer-reviewed research papers published in the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis, and published books including Best Things First and Prioritizing Development. All offerings are research-based, focused on helping policymakers and philanthropists achieve maximum impact with limited resources.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Halftime for SDGs: Project analyzing the effectiveness of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals 2016-2030, identifying the 12 best investments for the world.
- Bangladesh Priorities
- India Consensus
- Malawi Priorities
- Ghana Priorities
- Haiti Priorities
- Best Buys for Africa
Products and services
- Halftime for SDGs (2016-2030)
- Bangladesh Priorities Country-level prioritization project applying the Copenhagen Consensus cost-benefit approach to help Bangladesh identify the most effective development policies.
- Malawi Priorities
- Ghana Priorities
- India Consensus Partnership with NITI Aayog and 32 Indian states to apply cost-benefit analysis for prioritizing development investments across multiple Indian states.
- Haiti Priorities
- Best Buys for Africa
- Copenhagen Consensus III
- Best Things First
- Cost-Benefit Analysis Research Papers
- Andhra Pradesh Priorities
- Rajasthan Priorities
- Nobel Laureates' Guide to Smarter Global Targets 2030
- Cost-Effectiveness of Maternal and Newborn Health Interventions
- A Scorecard for Humanity
Quantifiable outcome
- Save 4.2 million lives annually for $41 billion
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Copenhagen Consensus Center
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Copenhagen Consensus Center technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Copenhagen Consensus Center partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- African Institute for Development PolicycoreProvides technical support for the Malawi Priorities project, working with the National Planning Commission. This is a key implementation partnership for country-level prioritization work.
- National Planning Commission (Malawi)coreImplements Malawi Priorities project in collaboration with African Institute for Development Policy and Copenhagen Consensus Center.
- NITI Aayog (India)coreDr. Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chair of NITI Aayog, commissioned India Consensus project for prioritizing SDGs across 32 States and Union Territories.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Copenhagen Consensus Center competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Copenhagen Consensus Center social profiles
Digital presenceCopenhagen Consensus Center financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Copenhagen Consensus Center leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Copenhagen Consensus Center funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Copenhagen Consensus Center M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Copenhagen Consensus Center
What does Copenhagen Consensus Center do?
Copenhagen Consensus Center is a think tank that researches and publishes cost-benefit analysis on global development priorities. It engages governments, policymakers, and philanthropists through country-level prioritization projects (e.g., Bangladesh Priorities, India Consensus, Ghana Priorities, Malawi Priorities, Haiti Priorities, Best Buys for Africa) and flagship initiatives like Halftime for SDGs, applying a benefit-cost ratio framework to identify the most cost-effective interventions. The center's research is conducted by a network of 300+ economists, including seven Nobel Laureates, and is published in peer-reviewed venues such as the Cambridge University Press Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis.
Is Copenhagen Consensus Center a public or private company?
Copenhagen Consensus Center is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Copenhagen Consensus Center founded?
Copenhagen Consensus Center was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Copenhagen Consensus Center based?
Copenhagen Consensus Center is headquartered in Tewksbury, United States, in the North America region.
How does Copenhagen Consensus Center make money?
One revenue line is on record: philanthropic Donations.
Does Copenhagen Consensus Center have an API?
No public API is recorded for Copenhagen Consensus Center.
What industry is Copenhagen Consensus Center in?
Copenhagen Consensus Center's product category is Policy Research and Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAO, Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes, with a secondary code of HLAJAKAN, Global Health Research, Evidence & Technical Assistance Organizations. Its NAICS code is 813910 and its SIC code is 8600.