Greenland :: North America
Introduction
Background:
Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became an integral part of the Danish Realm 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 Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the EU. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in June 2009. 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
Location:
Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Geographic coordinates:
72 00 N, 40 00 W
Map references:
Arctic Region
Area:
total:
2,166,086 sq km
land:
2,166,086 sq km
(approximately 1,710,000 sq km ice-covered)
country comparison to the world: 13
Area - comparative:
slightly more than three times the size of Texas
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
44,087 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
Climate:
arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters
Terrain:
flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast
Elevation:
mean elevation:
1,792 m
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,694 m
Natural resources:
coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use:
agricultural land:
0.6%
(2011 est.)
arable land:
0%
(2011 est.)
/
permanent crops:
0%
(2011 est.)
/
permanent pasture:
0.6%
(2011 est.)
forest:
0%
(2011 est.)
other:
99.4%
(2011 est.)
Irrigated land:
NA
Population distribution:
settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited
Natural hazards:
continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
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
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)
People and Society
Population:
57,616
(July 2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Nationality:
noun:
Greenlander(s)
adjective:
Greenlandic
Ethnic groups:
Greenlandic 89.5%, Danish 7.5%, other Nordic peoples 1.1%, and other 1.9%
(2020 est.)
note: data represent population by country of birth
Languages:
Greenlandic (West Greenlandic or Kalaallisut is the official language), Danish, English
Religions:
Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs
Age structure:
0-14 years:
20.82%
(male 6,079/female 5,916)
15-24 years:
14.45%
(male 4,186/female 4,137)
25-54 years:
39.72%
(male 11,962/female 10,921)
55-64 years:
14.66%
(male 4,561/female 3,886)
65 years and over:
10.36%
(male 3,170/female 2,798)
(2020 est.)
Median age:
total:
34.3 years
male:
35.1 years
female:
33.4 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
Population growth rate:
-0.08%
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Birth rate:
14.1 births/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Death rate:
9 deaths/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Net migration rate:
-6 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Population distribution:
settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited
Urbanization:
urban population:
87.3% of total population
(2020)
rate of urbanization:
0.42% annual rate of change
(2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
18,000 NUUK (capital)
(2018)
Sex ratio:
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:
1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years:
1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years:
1.1 male(s)/female
55-64 years:
1.17 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
1.13 male(s)/female
total population:
1.08 male(s)/female
(2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total:
8.3 deaths/1,000 live births
male:
9.5 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
7.1 deaths/1,000 live births
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
73.4 years
male:
70.7 years
female:
76.3 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Total fertility rate:
1.94 children born/woman
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
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
(2017 est.)
Physicians density:
1.87 physicians/1,000 population
(2016)
Hospital bed density:
14 beds/1,000 population
(2016)
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
(2017 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Education expenditures:
NA
Literacy:
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
100%
male:
100%
female:
100%
(2015)
Government
Country name:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Greenland
local long form:
none
local short form:
Kalaallit Nunaat
note: named by Norwegian adventurer Erik THORVALDSSON (Erik the Red) in A.D. 985 in order to entice settlers to the island
Dependency status:
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979
Government type:
parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)
Capital:
name:
Nuuk (Godthaab)
geographic coordinates:
64 11 N, 51 45 W
time difference:
UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
note: Greenland has four 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
Administrative divisions:
5 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Avannaata, Kujalleq, Qeqertalik, Qeqqata, Sermersooq
note: Northeast Greenland National Park (Kalaallit Nunaanni Nuna Eqqissisimatitaq) and the Thule Air Base in Pituffik (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
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)
National holiday:
National Day, June 21; note - marks the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere
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)
Legal system:
the laws of Denmark apply where applicable and Greenlandic law applies to other areas
Citizenship:
see Denmark
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Mikaela ENGELL (since April 2011)
head of government:
Premier Kim KIELSEN (since 30 September 2014)
cabinet:
Self-rule Government (Naalakkersuisut) elected by the Parliament (Inatsisartut) on the basis of the strength of parties
elections/appointments:
the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; premier indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term
election results:
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%
Legislative branch:
description:
unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) ++ Greenland elects 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms
elections:
Greenland Parliament - last held on 24 April 2018 (next to be held by 2022) ++ Greenland members to Danish Parliament - last held on 5 June 2019(next to be held by 4 June 2023)
election results:
Greenland Parliament percent of vote by party - S 27.2%, IA 25.5%, D 19.5%, PN 13.4%, A 5.9%, SA 4.1%, NQ 3.4% other 1%; seats by party - S 9, IA 8, D 6, PN 4, A 2, SA 1, NQ 1; composition - men 19, women 12, percent of women 38.7% ++ Greenland members in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - IA 1, S 1; composition - 2 women
Judicial branch:
highest courts:
High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors); note - appeals beyond the High Court of Greenland can be heard by the Supreme Court (in Copenhagen)
judge selection and term of office:
judges appointed by the monarch upon 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
Political parties and leaders:
Cooperation Party (Suleqatigiissitsisut or Samarbejdspartiet) or SA [Michael ROSING] ++ Democrats Party (Demokraatit) or D [Niels THOMSEN] ++ Forward Party (Siumut) or S [Kim KIELSEN] ++ Inuit Community (Inuit Ataqatigiit) or IA [Sara OLSVIG] ++ Our Country's Future (Nunatta Qitornai) or NQ [Vittus QUJAUKITSOQ] ++ Signpost Party (Partii Naleraq) or PN [Hans ENOKSEN] ++ Fellowship Party (Atassut) or A [Siverth Karl HEILMANN]
International organization participation:
Arctic Council, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); note - Greenland has an office in the Danish Embassy in the US; it also has offices in the Danish consulates in Chicago and New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
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
National symbol(s):
polar bear; national colors: red, white
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
Economy
Economic overview:
Greenland's economy depends on exports of shrimp and fish, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. Fish account for over 90% of its exports, subjecting the economy to price fluctuations. The subsidy from the Danish Government is budgeted to be about $535 million in 2017, more than 50% of government revenues, and 25% of GDP.
++ The economy is expanding after a period of decline. The economy contracted between 2012 and 2014, grew by 1.7% in 2015 and by 7.7%in 2016. The expansion has been driven by larger quotas for shrimp, the predominant Greenlandic export, and also by increased activity in the construction sector, especially in Nuuk, the capital. Private consumption and tourism also are contributing to GDP growth more than in previous years. Tourism in Greenland grew annually around 20% in 2015 and 2016, largely a result of increasing numbers of cruise lines now operating in Greenland's western and southern waters during the peak summer tourism season.
++ The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland's economy. During the last decade the Greenland Self Rule Government pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care, and retirement systems. The budget was in deficit in 2014 and 2016, but public debt remains low at about 5% of GDP. The government plans a balanced budget for the 2017–20 period.
++ Significant challenges face the island, including low levels of qualified labor, geographic dispersion, lack of industry diversification, the long-term sustainability of the public budget, and a declining population due to emigration. Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices. The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed, but a lack of infrastructure hinders development.
GDP real growth rate:
7.7%
(2016 est.)
1.7%
(2015 est.)
-0.8%
(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.3%
(January 2017 est.)
1.2%
(January 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
GDP (purchasing power parity) - real:
$2.413 billion
(2015 est.)
$2.24 billion
(2014 est.)
$2.203 billion
(2013 est.)
note: data are in 2015 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.221 billion
(2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$41,800
(2015 est.)
$38,800
(2014 est.)
$38,500
(2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:
15.9%
(2015 est.)
industry:
10.1%
(2015 est.)
services:
73.9%
(2015)
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:
68.1%
(2015 est.)
government consumption:
28%
(2015 est.)
investment in fixed capital:
14.3%
(2015 est.)
investment in inventories:
-13.9%
(2015 est.)
exports of goods and services:
18.2%
(2015 est.)
imports of goods and services:
-28.6%
(2015 est.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scores:
Agriculture - products:
sheep, cattle, reindeer, fish, shellfish
Industries:
fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); anorthosite and ruby mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards
Industrial production growth rate:
NA
Labor force:
26,840
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:
15.9%
industry:
10.1%
services:
73.9%
(2015 est.)
Unemployment rate:
9.1%
(2015 est.)
10.3%
(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Population below poverty line:
16.2%
(2015 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:
NA
highest 10%:
NA
Budget:
revenues:
1.719 billion
(2016 est.)
expenditures:
1.594 billion
(2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
77.4% (of GDP)
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
5.6% (of GDP)
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Public debt:
13% of GDP
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Exports:
$407.1 million
(2015 est.)
$599.7 million
(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Exports - partners:
Denmark 82.5%, Iceland 4.4%
(2017)
Exports - commodities:
fish and fish products 91%
(2015 est.)
Imports:
$783.5 million
(2015 est.)
$866.1 million
(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products
Imports - partners:
Denmark 69.7%, Sweden 10.6%
(2017)
Debt - external:
$36.4 million
(2010)
$58 million
(2009)
country comparison to the world: 197
Exchange rates:
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
6.586
(2017 est.)
6.7309
(2016 est.)
6.7309
(2015 est.)
6.7326
(2014 est.)
5.6125
(2013 est.)
Energy
Electricity access:
electrification - total population:
100%
(2020)
Electricity - production:
538 million kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
Electricity - consumption:
468 million kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
187,000 kW
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
51% of total installed capacity
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
49% of total installed capacity
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
(1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
4,000 bbl/day
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
Refined petroleum products - imports:
3,973 bbl/day
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m
(1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
613,800 Mt
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions:
7,259
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
12.59
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total subscriptions:
66,009
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
114.48
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
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
(2018)
domestic:
13 per 100 for fixed-line subscriptions and 115 per 100 for mobile-cellular
(2019)
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)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
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)
Internet country code:
.gl
Internet users:
total:
40,084
percent of population:
69.48%
(July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
total:
13,192
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
23
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
Transportation
National air transport system:
number of registered air carriers:
1
(registered in Denmark)
(2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers:
8
(registered in Denmark)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
OY-H
(2016)
Airports:
15
(2013)
country comparison to the world: 146
Airports - with paved runways:
total:
10
(2019)
2,438 to 3,047 m:
2
1,524 to 2,437 m:
1
914 to 1,523 m:
1
under 914 m:
6
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total:
5
(2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m:
1
(2013)
914 to 1,523 m:
2
(2013)
under 914 m:
2
(2013)
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
Merchant marine:
total:
8
by type:
other 8
(2019)
country comparison to the world: 159
Ports and terminals:
major seaport(s):
Sisimiut
Military and Security
Military and security forces:
no regular military forces or conscription.
(2019)
Military - note:
The Danish military's Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk is responsible for territorial defense of Greenland
(2019)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:
managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission
