CapitalNuuk
Population57,751
Area2,166,086 km²
GDP per capita$71,000
LanguagesGreenlandic, Danish, English
CurrencyDanish kroner
Life Expectancy74.5 yr
Governmentoperates under a parliamentary democracy (known as the Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)
Introduction
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.
Geography
Area
land
2,166,086 sq km (approximately 1,710,000 sq km ice-covered)
total
2,166,086 sq km
Climate
arctic to subarctic; cool summers and frigid winters
Terrain
a flat to gradually sloping icecap spans nearly the entire island, leaving only a narrow, barren, rocky mountainous coast
Land use
other
99.4% (2023 est.)
forest
0% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
0.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.)
Location
situated in Northern North America, the island lies between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, to the northeast of Canada
Coastline
44,087 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,694 m
mean elevation
1,792 m
Irrigated land
NA
Map references
Arctic Region
Land boundaries
total
0 km
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
Natural hazards
the northern two-thirds of the island is characterized by continuous permafrost
Geography - note
the area is a crucial part of the North Atlantic Ocean, located between North America and Europe; it has a sparse population that primarily resides in small coastal settlements, with approximately one-quarter living in the capital, Nuuk; it contains the world's second-largest ice sheet, following Antarctica, which covers 1.71 million square kilometers (660,000 square miles), accounting for about 79% of the island's area and holding 2.85 million cubic kilometers (684 thousand cubic miles) of ice, representing nearly 7% of the global fresh water supply
Natural resources
resources include coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, as well as marine resources such as fish, seals, and whales, in addition to hydropower and potential oil and gas reserves
Area - comparative
slightly more than three times the area of Texas
Geographic coordinates
72 00 N, 40 00 W
Population distribution
the population is primarily concentrated along the southwest coast, with a few small settlements dotting the rest of the coastline; the interior remains uninhabited
People & Society
Languages
Greenlandic, Danish, English
Religions
Evangelical Lutheran faith, alongside traditional Inuit spiritual practices.
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
total population
1.07 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
1.13 male(s)/female
Birth rate
13.32 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.29 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
35.9 years
total
35.6 years (2025 est.)
female
34.7 years
Population
male
29,843
total
57,751 (2024 est.)
female
27,908
Nationality
noun
Greenlander(s)
adjective
Greenlandic
Urbanization
urban population
87.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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)
Ethnic groups
Greenlandic 88.1%, Danish 7.1%, Filipino 1.6%, other Nordic groups 0.9%, and other 2.3% (estimates for 2024).
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
49 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
30.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
5.4 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
18.6 (2024 est.)
Physician density
1.87 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Net migration rate
-4.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.87 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
10.2% of GDP (2019 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
9.9 deaths/1,000 live births
total
8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
6.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
-0.08% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.91 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
Settlement is primarily located along the southwestern coast, with few communities dispersed along the rest of the coastline; the interior remains uninhabited.
Life expectancy at birth
male
71.8 years
female
77.3 years
total population
74.5 years (2024 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: total
total: 62.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population
unimproved: total
total: 37.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population
Major urban areas - population
18,000 NUUK (capital) (2018)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
38.8% (2022 est.)
Environment
Climate
from arctic to subarctic regions; mild summers, frigid winters
Land use
other
99.4% (2023 est.)
forest
0% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
0.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
87.9% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.41% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
50,000 tons (2024 est.)
Environmental issues
variations in sea levels and other alterations in the Arctic ecosystem
Carbon dioxide emissions
total 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.)
Government
Flag
description: consists of two equal horizontal stripes, white on the top and red below, featuring a large disk that is slightly offset to the left; the upper portion of the disk is red while the lower portion is white
meaning: this design symbolizes the sun shining on an icy landscape; the colors mirror those of the Danish flag and reflect Greenland's connection to the Kingdom of Denmark
Capital
name
Nuuk
etymology
nuuk translates from Inuit as "cape;" prior to 1979, it was referred to as Godthab, derived from Danish terms meaning "good hope"
time zone note
Greenland is divided into three distinct time zones
time difference
UTC-2 (which is 3 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1 hour, commencing on the last Sunday of March and concluding on the last Sunday of October
geographic coordinates
64 11 N, 51 45 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see Denmark
Constitution
history
notable years include 1953 (Greenland recognized as a constituency within the Danish constitution), 1979 (enactment of the Greenland Home Rule Act); the most recent significant event was the 21 June 2009 (Greenland Self-Government Act)
Country name
etymology
designated by the Norse explorer Erik THORVALDSSON (commonly known as Erik the Red) in A.D. 985 to entice settlers to the region; the indigenous name, Kalaallit Nunaat, translates to "land of the people"
local long form
none
local short form
Kalaallit Nunaat
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Greenland
Independence
none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark)
Legal system
certain Danish laws are applicable in specified areas, while Greenlandic law governs the remainder
Government type
operates under a parliamentary democracy (known as the Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors)
subordinate courts
Court of Greenland; consists of 18 district or magistrates' courts
judge selection and term of office
judges are appointed by the monarch based on recommendations from the Judicial Appointments Council, which is an independent 6-member body comprising judges and lawyers; judges hold their positions for life, retiring at the age of 70
Executive branch
cabinet
Self-rule Government (Naalakkersuisut) elected by the Parliament (Inatsisartut)
chief of state
King FREDERIK X of Denmark (since 14 January 2024), represented by High Commissioner Julie Praest WILCHE (since May 2022) (2024)
election results
2025: Jens-Frederik NIELSEN (D) is elected premier
2021: Mute B. EGEDE is elected premier; the Parliament vote resulted in Mute B. EGEDE (Inuit Ataqatigiit) receiving unanimous support
2014: Kim KIELSEN was elected premier; the Parliament vote showed Kim KIELSEN (S) at 27.2%, Sara OLSVIG (IA) at 25.5%, Randi Vestergaard EVALDSEN (D) at 19.5%, with others accounting for 27.8%
head of government
Prime Minister Jens-Frederik NIELSEN (since 28 March 2025)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is passed down through hereditary means; the high commissioner is appointed by the monarch; the premier is indirectly elected by Parliament for a term of four years
National holiday
National Day, June 21
Dependency status
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; has functioned as a self-governing overseas administrative entity of Denmark since 1979
National color(s)
red, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (2 cultural sites, 1 natural site); note - this information is taken from the entry on Denmark
selected World Heritage Site locales
Ilulissat Icefjord (n); Kujataa, Norse, and Inuit Farming (c); Aasivissuit–Nipisat, Inuit Hunting Ground (c)
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)
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
31 (directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament (Inatsisartut)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
4/6/2021
expected date of next election
2025
percentage of women in chamber
35%
parties elected and seats per party
IA (12); S (10); N (4); D (3); A (2)
National anthem(s)
title
"Nuna asiilasooq" (The Land of Great Length)
history
established in 1979 when home rule was conferred; the Greenlandic government acknowledges this local Kalaallit song as a secondary anthem
lyrics/music
unknown
National symbol(s)
polar bear
Administrative divisions
5 municipalities (kommuner, singular - kommune); Avannaata, Kujalleq, Qeqertalik, Qeqqata, Sermersooq
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 328-1470
chancery
3200 Whitehaven Street, NW
Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 234-4300
chief of mission
Kenneth HØEGH, Head of Representation (since 1 August 2021)
email address and website
[email protected]
All Greenlandic Representations | Grønlands Repræsentation (grl-rep.dk);
https://naalakkersuisut.gl/en/Naalakkersuisut/Groenlands-repraesentation-Washington
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
Aalisartut Aqqutaa 47
Nuuk 3900
Greenland
telephone
(+299) 384100
chief of mission
Consul Susan A. "Suzi" WILSON (since August 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
Homepage - U.S. Embassy & Consulate in the Kingdom of Denmark (usembassy.gov)
International organization participation
Arctic Council, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU
Economy
Budget
revenues
$1.719 billion (2016 est.)
expenditures
$1.594 billion (2016 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$1.122 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$1.286 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$1.357 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$1.635 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$1.657 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$1.7 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
processing of fish (primarily shrimp and Greenland halibut), mining of anorthosite and rubies, production of handicrafts, trade in hides and skins, and operations of small shipyards
Exchange rates
Currency
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
6.542 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
6.287 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
7.076 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
6.89 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
6.894 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a self-governing, high-income Danish territory; not a member of the EU but enjoys preferential access to markets; relies on financial assistance from Denmark; the fishing sector drives exports; tourism is increasing alongside interest in unexploited mineral resources; depends on hydropower for energy needs
Exports - partners
Denmark 50%, China 23%, UK 5%, Japan 5%, Germany 3% (2023)
Imports - partners
Denmark 58%, Sweden 19%, Spain 8%, Iceland 7%, Canada 2% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2021
$69,300 (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022
$70,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$71,000 (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2021
1.6% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022
2% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
0.9% (2023 est.)
Agricultural products
sheep, cattle, reindeer, fish, shellfish
Exports - commodities
fish, shellfish, processed crustaceans, ships, precious stones (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, ships, clothing, plastic goods, furniture (2023)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$3.327 billion (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
32.6% (2023 est.)
government consumption
41.7% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
1.3% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
34.7% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
40.8% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-51.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2020
2.1% (2020 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021
0% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
1.2% (2022 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-1.3% (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021
$3.926 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$4.005 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$4.04 billion (2023 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
18.4% (2023 est.)
services
61% (2023 est.)
agriculture
16.6% (2023 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
5 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
383 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
4,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
534.5 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
190,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
10 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
13.6% 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.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
70% (2017 est.)
Broadcast media
The Greenland Broadcasting Company offers public radio and television services, operating a broadcasting station along with a network of repeaters; there are several privately owned local television and radio stations; rebroadcasts of Danish public radio are accessible (2019)
Internet country code
.gl
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
6,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
9 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
67,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
118 (2021 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
18,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
32 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
7
medium
0
key ports
Aasiaat, Ilulissat (Jakobshavn), Kusanartoq, Nuuk, Paamiut (Frederikshab), Qeqertarsuaq, Sisimiut
very small
10
total ports
23 (2024)
size unknown
6
ports with oil terminals
5
Airports
25 (2025)
Heliports
54 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
10 (2023)
by type
other 10
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
OY-H
Military & Security
Military - note
Located in Nuuk, the Joint Arctic Command of the Danish military oversees the coordination of Denmark's defense efforts for Greenland.
The US Space Force operates a base on the northwest coast of Greenland, situated approximately 750 miles from the North Pole.
Military and security forces
absent of permanent military units
