Country Profile: Greenland

Greenland, the world's largest island, is characterized by its extensive ice coverage and Arctic climate. Historically shaped by Inuit migrations and Viking settlements, it became part of the Kingdom of Denmark in the 18th century and achieved home rule in 1979, with further self-governing powers established in 2009. Its economy is heavily reliant on fishing and supported by Danish financial aid, while its unique geography and resource potential attract growing interest in tourism and mineral exploration.

Geography

Greenland is located in Northern North America, situated between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada. The island spans an area of approximately 2,166,086 square kilometers, with over 44,000 kilometers of coastline. Its terrain is predominantly covered by an ice cap, except for a narrow mountainous coast.

80% of Greenland is ice-covered.
44,087 km of coastline.
3,694 m is the highest point (Gunnbjorn Fjeld).
1.71 million sq km is the area of the ice sheet, housing about 7% of the world's fresh water.

People and Society

As of 2024, Greenland has an estimated population of 57,751, with a significant majority identifying as Greenlandic, alongside Danish and other ethnic groups. The population is predominantly urban, with 87.9% residing in urban areas, mostly concentrated in the capital, Nuuk. The official language is Greenlandic, and the society blends modern and traditional Inuit cultural elements.

20.4% of the population is aged 0-14 years.
12.5% of the population is aged 65 and over.
1.07 male(s) per female in the total population.
74.5 years is the life expectancy at birth.

Economy

Greenland's economy is classified as a high-income, self-governing Danish territory, heavily dependent on the fishing industry and Danish financial support. The GDP (Purchasing Power Parity) is estimated at $4.04 billion for 2023, with a significant shift towards tourism and mineral resource exploration.

61% of the economy is comprised of the services sector.
40.8% of GDP is derived from exports.
$71,000 is the GDP per capita for 2023.
1.357 billion USD in exports were recorded in 2023.

Government

Greenland operates under a parliamentary democracy with a system of self-rule since 1979. The capital is Nuuk, which serves as the political and administrative center. While Greenland manages many of its internal affairs, Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and security.

31 seats in the unicameral Parliament (Inatsisartut).
18 years is the voting age for universal suffrage.
Jens-Frederik Nielsen is the current Prime Minister as of 2025.
National Day is celebrated on June 21.

Military and Security

Greenland does not maintain regular military forces but is defended by the Danish military's Joint Arctic Command based in Nuuk. The US Space Force also operates from a base in the northwestern region of Greenland.

No regular military forces are present.
Danish Joint Arctic Command manages defense.
750 miles from the North Pole is the location of the US Space Force base.

Energy

Greenland relies predominantly on hydropower for its energy needs, with total electricity access reported at 100%. The installed generating capacity is approximately 190,000 kW, with a significant portion attributed to hydroelectric sources.

85.8% of total installed capacity comes from hydroelectricity.
534.5 million kWh is the total electricity consumption in 2023.
4,000 bbl/day is the refined petroleum consumption.

Environment

Greenland is experiencing environmental challenges due to climate change, particularly in the form of rising sea levels and disruptions in Arctic ecosystems. Its unique geography and climate play a crucial role in its environmental issues.

99.4% of land is classified as other (non-agricultural).
Reports of 527,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions in 2023.
The carbon footprint includes contributions from various fossil fuel sources.

Transportation

Greenland has a limited but functional transportation network, with numerous ports and airports facilitating travel and trade. The island features a total of 25 airports and 23 ports, with significant maritime activity.

54 heliports are available for civil aviation.
10 vessels are registered in the merchant marine.
Key ports include Nuuk, Sisimiut, and Ilulissat.

Communications

Greenland's communications infrastructure includes fixed and mobile telephony, with a growing number of internet users. The Greenland Broadcasting Company is the main provider of public radio and television services.

67,000 mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2021.
32 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.
70% of the population were internet users in 2017.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	57,751 (2024 est.)
Area	2,166,086 sq km	World's largest island
GDP (PPP)	$4.04 billion (2023 est.)
GDP per capita	$71,000 (2023 est.)
Electricity access	100%	Total population
Life expectancy	74.5 years (2024 est.)
Birth rate	13.32 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Urban population	87.9% of total population	(2023)
Infant mortality rate	8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions	527,000 metric tonnes (2023 est.)