Although the reasons remain unclear, or at least the evidence seems contradictory, it is evident that Germany treated Denmark with a leniency and courtesy it denied all the other countries it occupied. Although Danish neutrality may have been a fiction cynically imposed by Germany, the exceptional arrangements that were in effect during the occupation meant that Denmark enjoyed more freedom, more autonomy and more democracy than any other occupied state. Crucially, Denmark also enjoyed a higher standard of living, which the proponents of Samarbejde – be they politicians, entrepreneurs or civil servants – were always at pains to preserve. No degree of German leniency, however, could save Denmark from the economic problems that ensued from the country's inclusion in the German economic realm. After imports from most of its normal trading partners had come to a halt, shortages inevitably arose.

Moreover, although Germany may have been more lenient towards Denmark than to other countries, this did not mean that it refrained from exploiting the Danish economy. Denmark became part of the economic apparatus behind the war machine that Germany had become. It churned out uniforms, boots, ships, bunkers and countless other goods, all of which disappeared into the bottomless pit of Hitler's military and political ambitions. Most importantly, it provided Germany with a steady stream of pork and butter, helping it to overcome what was perhaps its greatest challenge, namely to nourish its enormous population in densely populated central Europe. Denmark became both the pigsty and the dairy of the Nazi economic realm.

After the invasion of 9 April 1940, the impoverishment of the Danes was inevitable – and many in Denmark were well aware of it. The country was prepared to introduce extensive economic controls, which for the most part were implemented with remarkable ease, with a few exceptions such as price controls. Overall, the Danish policies that were introduced to ensure both economic stability and relatively equal access to the most important goods were a considerable success. However irritating the shortages during the occupation may have been to the Danes, at least their basic consumption was safeguarded. Shortages of fuel, soap, chocolate and shoes made life uncomfortable, but the Danes escaped lightly in comparison with other Europeans.