Greenland - GL - GRL - North America

Last updated: April 23, 2025

Greenland Images

Hans Island, an uninhabited island located between Canada’s Ellesmere Island and Greenland (an autonomous territory of Denmark), was the center of a “whiskey war” between Canada and Denmark from 1984 to 2022. The island was named for Greenlandic Inuk explorer Hans Hendrik, who was part of the 1853 expedition that established Denmark’s claim to the barren 130 h (320 acre) island. Canada operated a scientific station there during World War II, and a Canadian oil company later operated nearby. In 1984, the Danish prime minister planted a flag on the island, prompting the Canadians to plant their flag – and leave a bottle of whiskey for the Danes. The Danes reciprocated with a flag-raising and a bottle of schnapps for the Canadians. This “war” lasted until an agreement in 2022 that split the island in half was sealed with a final exchange of spirits.
Pictured is the calving front of Kangerdlugssup Glacier in central west Greenland, where large chunks of ice break off from the glaciers to form icebergs. Several large icebergs in the fjord are shown here, surrounded by the dense mixture of iceberg bits and floating sea ice that is known as the “mélange.” Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger.
The Steensby Glacier in norothern Greenland flows around a sharp bend in a deep canyon. The glacier is located at 81 degrees north in Nyboe Land and flows into the St. Georges Fjord. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger.
View of Qaqortoq from the sea. Founded in 1775, the town -- the largest in south Greenland -- has 3,200 inhabitants and is a cultural and commercial center of the region.
Carvings in Qaqortoq, Greenland.
Carvings in Qaqortoq, Greenland.
Hans Island, an uninhabited island located between Canada’s Ellesmere Island and Greenland (an autonomous territory of Denmark), was the center of a “whiskey war” between Canada and Denmark from 1984 to 2022. The island was named for Greenlandic Inuk explorer Hans Hendrik, who was part of the 1853 expedition that established Denmark’s claim to the barren 130 h (320 acre) island. Canada operated a scientific station there during World War II, and a Canadian oil company later operated nearby. In 1984, the Danish prime minister planted a flag on the island, prompting the Canadians to plant their flag – and leave a bottle of whiskey for the Danes. The Danes reciprocated with a flag-raising and a bottle of schnapps for the Canadians. This “war” lasted until an agreement in 2022 that split the island in half was sealed with a final exchange of spirits.
Pictured is the calving front of Kangerdlugssup Glacier in central west Greenland, where large chunks of ice break off from the glaciers to form icebergs. Several large icebergs in the fjord are shown here, surrounded by the dense mixture of iceberg bits and floating sea ice that is known as the “mélange.” Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger.

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Greenland Factbook Data

Dependency status

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Consul Monica BLAND (since July 2023)

embassy: Aalisartut Aqqutaa 47
Nuuk 3900
Greenland

telephone: (+299) 384100

email address and website:
USConsulateNuuk@state.gov

Homepage - U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Kingdom of Denmark (usembassy.gov)

Age structure

0-14 years: 20.4% (male 5,964/female 5,798)

15-64 years: 67.1% (male 20,050/female 18,711)

65 years and over: 12.5% (2024 est.) (male 3,829/female 3,399)

This is the population pyramid for Greenland. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.

For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.

Geographic coordinates

72 00 N, 40 00 W

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 1.13 male(s)/female

total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Natural hazards

continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

Area - comparative

slightly more than three times the size of Texas

Background

Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice capped. The Inuit came to Greenland from North America in a series of migrations that stretched from 2500 BC to the11th century. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland remains a member of the EU's Overseas Countries and Territories Association. The Danish parliament granted Greenland home rule in 1979; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of self-government in 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in 2009. The Kingdom of Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy, in consultation with Greenland's Self-Rule Government.

Environment - current issues

especially vulnerable to climate change and disruption of the Arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting

Population below poverty line

16.2% (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish, shellfish, processed crustaceans, ships, precious stones (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Denmark 50%, China 23%, UK 5%, Japan 5%, Germany 3% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Administrative divisions

5 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Avannaata, Kujalleq, Qeqertalik, Qeqqata, Sermersooq

note: Northeast Greenland National Park (Kalaallit Nunaanni Nuna Eqqissisimatitaq) and the Pituffik Space Base (formerly known as Thule Air Base) in northwest Greenland are two unincorporated areas; the national park's 972,000 sq km - about 46% of the island - makes it the largest national park in the world and also the most northerly

Agricultural products

sheep, cattle, reindeer, fish, shellfish

Military and security forces

no regular military forces

Budget

revenues: $1.719 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures: $1.594 billion (2016 est.)

Capital

name: Nuuk

geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W

time difference: UTC-2 (3 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

time zone note: Greenland has three time zones

etymology: "nuuk" is the Inuit word for "cape" and refers to the city's position at the end of the Nuup Kangerlua fjord

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, ships, garments, plastic products, furniture (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Climate

arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Coastline

44,087 km

Constitution

history: previous 1953 (Greenland established as a constituency in the Danish constitution), 1979 (Greenland Home Rule Act); latest 21 June 2009 (Greenland Self-Government Act)

Exchange rates

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
6.89 (2023 est.)
7.076 (2022 est.)
6.287 (2021 est.)
6.542 (2020 est.)
6.669 (2019 est.)

Executive branch

chief of state: King FREDERIK X of Denmark (since 14 January 2024), represented by High Commissioner Julie Praest WILCHE (since May 2022) (2024)

head of government: Prime Minister Mute B. EGEDE in caretaker status (since 12 March 2025)

cabinet: Self-rule Government (Naalakkersuisut) elected by the Parliament (Inatsisartut)

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; premier indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term

election results:
2021: Mute B. EGEDE elected premier; Parliament vote - Mute B. EGEDE (Inuit Ataqatigiit) unanimous

2014: Kim KIELSEN elected premier; Parliament vote - Kim KIELSEN (S) 27.2%, Sara OLSVIG (IA) 25.5%, Randi Vestergaard EVALDSEN (D) 19.5%, other 27.8%

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white; the design represents the sun reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of Denmark

Roadways

note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air

Independence

none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland)

Industries

fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut), anorthosite and ruby mining, handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards

Judicial branch

highest court(s): High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors)

judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70

subordinate courts: Court of Greenland; 18 district or magistrates' courts

note: appeals beyond the High Court of Greenland can be heard by the Supreme Court (in Copenhagen)

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Land use

agricultural land: 0.6% (2022 est.)

arable land: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 0.6% (2022 est.)

forest: 0% (2022 est.)

other: 99.4% (2022 est.)

Legal system

the laws of Denmark apply where applicable and Greenlandic law applies to other areas

Legislative branch

legislature name: Parliament (Inatsisartut)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 31 (directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 4/6/2021

parties elected and seats per party: IA (12); S (10); N (4); D (3); A (2)

percentage of women in chamber: 35%

expected date of next election: 2025

note: Greenland elects 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 100%

male: 100%

female: 100% (2015)

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 3 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

International organization participation

Arctic Council, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU

National holiday

National Day, June 21; note - marks the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere

Nationality

noun: Greenlander(s)

adjective: Greenlandic

Natural resources

coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Geography - note

dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice sheet after that of Antarctica covering an area of 1.71 million sq km (660,000 sq mi) or about 79% of the island, and containing 2.85 million cu km (684 thousand cu mi) of ice (this is almost 7% of all of the world's fresh water); if all this ice were converted to liquid water, one estimate is that it would be sufficient to raise the height of the world's oceans by 7.2 m (24 ft)

Economic overview

high-income, self-governing Danish territorial economy; non-EU member but preferential market access; dependent on Danish financial support; exports led by fishing industry; growing tourism and interest in untapped mineral deposits; relies on hydropower for fuel

Political parties

Democrats Party (Demokraatit) or D
Fellowship Party (Atassut) or A
Forward Party (Siumut) or S
Inuit Community (Inuit Ataqatigiit) or IA
Signpost Party (Naleraq) or N (formerly Partii Naleraq)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunication systems

general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables, and microwave radio relay; the fundamental telecommunications infrastructure consists of a digital radio link from Nanortalik in south Greenland to Uummannaq in north Greenland; satellites cover north and east Greenland for domestic and foreign telecommunications; a marine cable connects south and west Greenland to the rest of the world, extending from Nuuk and Qaqortoq to Canada and Iceland; a contract has been awarded to build a 5G network in Greenland, initially covering three towns, with 10 towns, including Greenland's capital Nuuk to follow (2022)

domestic: nearly 11 per 100 for fixed-line subscriptions and 118 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2021)

international: country code - 299; landing points for Greenland Connect, Greenland Connect North, Nunavut Undersea Fiber System submarine cables to Greenland, Iceland, and Canada; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2019)

Terrain

flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)

Military - note

the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk is responsible for coordinating Denmark's defense of Greenland

Country name

conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Greenland

local long form: none

local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat

etymology: named by Norse navigator Erik THORVALDSSON (Erik the Red) in A.D. 985 to attract settlers to the island; the original Greenlandic name, Kalaallit Nunaat, means "land of the people"

Location

Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada

Map references

Arctic Region

Irrigated land

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Kenneth HØEGH, Head of Representation (since 1 August 2021)

chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300

FAX: [1] (202) 328-1470

email address and website:
washington@nanoq.gl

All Greenlandic Representations | GrÃ¸nlands ReprÃ¦sentation (grl-rep.dk);
https://naalakkersuisut.gl/en/Naalakkersuisut/Groenlands-repraesentation-Washington

Note: Greenland also has offices in the Danish consulates in Chicago and New York

Internet users

percent of population: 69% (2017 est.)

Internet country code

.gl

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.236 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Urbanization

urban population: 87.9% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization: 0.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Broadcast media

the Greenland Broadcasting Company provides public radio and TV services throughout the island with a broadcast station and a series of repeaters; a few private local TV and radio stations; Danish public radio rebroadcasts are available (2019)

Drinking water source

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

National anthem

name: "Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" (Our Country, Who's Become So Old also translated as You Our Ancient Land)

lyrics/music: Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN

note: adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem

Major urban areas - population

18,000 NUUK (capital) (2018)

Physician density

1.87 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Hospital bed density

14 beds/1,000 population (2016)

National symbol(s)

polar bear; national colors: red, white

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 35.8% (2021 est.)

government consumption: 45.1% (2021 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 33.3% (2021 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2021 est.)

exports of goods and services: 35.4% (2021 est.)

imports of goods and services: -49.7% (2021 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Citizenship

see Denmark

Population distribution

settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

National air transport system

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) (registered in Denmark)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8 (registered in Denmark)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

OY-H

Sanitation facility access

improved:

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved:

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Greenlandic 88.1%, Danish 7.1%, Filipino 1.6%, other Nordic peoples 0.9%, and other 2.3% (2024 est.)

note: data represent population by country of birth

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Languages

Greenlandic, Danish, English

note: West Greenlandic or Kalaallisut is the official language; Tunumiisut (East Greenlandic) and Inuktun (Polar Inuit Greenlandic) are considered dialects of Kalaallisut and spoken by about 10% of Greenlanders

Imports - partners

Denmark 58%, Sweden 19%, Spain 8%, Iceland 7%, Canada 2% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Elevation

highest point: Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,694 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 1,792 m

Contraceptive prevalence rate

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 43.6

youth dependency ratio: 30

elderly dependency ratio: 13.6

potential support ratio: 7.4 (2021)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 50,000 tons (2010 est.)

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.51 megatons (2016 est.)

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural); note - excerpted from the Denmark entry

selected World Heritage Site locales: Ilulissat Icefjord (n); Kujataa, Norse and Inuit Farming (c); Aasivissuit–Nipisat, Inuit Hunting Ground (c)

Coal

imports: 5 metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves: 383 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 13.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 85.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.92 (2024 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

39.4% (2023 est.)

Ports

total ports: 23 (2024)

large: 0

medium: 0

small: 7

very small: 10

size unknown: 6

ports with oil terminals: 5

key ports: Aasiaat, Illulissat (Jakobshavn), Kusanartoq, Nuuk, Paamuit (Frederikshab), Qeqertarsuaq, Sisimiut

Labor force

26,840 (2015 est.)

Net migration rate

-4.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 35.3 years (2024 est.)

male: 35.9 years

female: 34.7 years

Public debt

13% of GDP (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.88 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.1% (2015 est.)
10.3% (2014 est.)

Population

total: 57,751 (2024 est.)

male: 29,843

female: 27,908

Carbon dioxide emissions

527,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 12 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 527,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Area

total : 2,166,086 sq km

land: 2,166,086 sq km (approximately 1,710,000 sq km ice-covered)

Taxes and other revenues

77.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.857 billion (2021 est.)
$3.808 billion (2020 est.)
$3.801 billion (2019 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Airports

25 (2025)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

male: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 67,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

33.9 (2015 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.3% (January 2017 est.)
1.2% (January 2016 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$68,100 (2021 est.)
$67,600 (2020 est.)
$67,600 (2019 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 18,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2022 est.)

Death rate

9.2 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Birth rate

13.5 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 190,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 534.5 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 10 million kWh (2023 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 10 (2023)

by type: other 10

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

Imports

$1.609 billion (2021 est.)
$1.441 billion (2020 est.)
$1.533 billion (2019 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports

$1.147 billion (2021 est.)
$1.108 billion (2020 est.)
$1.23 billion (2019 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Heliports

54 (2025)

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 6,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2022 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.5 years (2024 est.)

male: 71.8 years

female: 77.3 years

Real GDP growth rate

1.29% (2021 est.)
0.19% (2020 est.)
2.83% (2019 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Industrial production growth rate

-10.63% (2021 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 17.5% (2021 est.)

industry: 16.1% (2021 est.)

services: 62.7% (2021 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Revenue from forest resources

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from coal

0% of GDP (2018 est.)

Education expenditures

10.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.05% (2024 est.)

Sources: