Country Profile: Greenland

Greenland, the world’s largest island, is located between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada. Approximately 80% of its land is covered by ice, and the population is concentrated along the southwestern coast, primarily in the capital, Nuuk, where about a quarter of the inhabitants reside. The economy is largely dependent on fishing, tourism, and Danish financial support, with increasing interest in mineral extraction. Greenland operates as a self-governing territory under the Kingdom of Denmark, which maintains control over key areas such as foreign affairs and security.

Geography

Greenland is situated in Northern North America, bordered by the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, and has a coastline of 44,087 km. The island is predominantly flat, featuring a massive icecap that covers over 1.7 million sq km, making it a significant freshwater reserve. With its rugged terrain and harsh arctic climate, the island supports sparse human settlement, primarily in coastal towns.

2,166,086 sq km total area.
80% of the island is ice-covered.
0 km land boundaries, making it the world’s largest island without a land border.
3 nm territorial sea and 200 nm exclusive fishing zone.

People and Society

As of 2024, Greenland's population is estimated at 57,751, composed primarily of Greenlandic (88.1%) and Danish (7.1%) ethnic groups. The official languages are Greenlandic, Danish, and English, with the majority of the population adhering to the Evangelical Lutheran faith. The age structure shows a median age of 35.3 years, with a significant portion of the population residing in urban areas, particularly in Nuuk.

87.9% of the population lives in urban areas.
74.5 years is the average life expectancy at birth.
20.4% of the population is under 15 years old.
49 total dependency ratio in 2024.

Economy

Greenland has a high-income economy that is heavily reliant on fishing, tourism, and mineral resources. In 2023, the Real GDP (PPP) was estimated at $4.04 billion, and the economy has shown signs of growth with a 0.9% increase in GDP. The fishing industry is a key driver of exports, alongside burgeoning tourism and mineral exploration.

61% of GDP comes from the service sector.
$1.357 billion in exports as of 2023.
$1.7 billion in imports in 2023.
$71,000 GDP per capita for 2023.

Government

Greenland functions as a parliamentary democracy within the Kingdom of Denmark, having gained home rule in 1979 and further autonomy in 2009. The capital is Nuuk, and the island is divided into five municipalities. Greenland has its own legislature, the Inatsisartut, which is responsible for local governance, although Denmark retains authority over foreign affairs and defense.

The current Prime Minister is Jens-Frederik Nielsen, having taken office in March 2025.
31 members in the unicameral legislature.
Universal suffrage at 18 years of age.
5 municipalities are present in Greenland.

Military and Security

Greenland does not have regular military forces of its own, with the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command managing defense operations. Additionally, the US Space Force operates a base on the northwest coast, approximately 750 miles from the North Pole, underscoring the international strategic importance of the island.

Danish military responsible for Greenland's defense.
No regular military forces.
US Space Force base located in Greenland.

Energy

Greenland has achieved 100% electrification of its population, relying primarily on hydropower, which accounts for 85.8% of its electricity generation capacity. The island is also exploring other energy sources alongside its significant hydropower resources.

190,000 kW of installed generating capacity.
534.5 million kWh of electricity consumed in 2023.
13.6% of energy from fossil fuels.
5 metric tons of coal imported in 2023.

Environment

Greenland faces environmental challenges, including climate change that threatens sea levels and disrupts the Arctic ecosystem. The majority of its land is used for non-agricultural purposes, and it experiences a harsh arctic to subarctic climate.

0.6% of land is agricultural, with no arable land.
50,000 tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.).
527,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions estimated in 2023.

Transportation

Greenland's transportation infrastructure is primarily reliant on air travel, with 25 airports and numerous heliports serving its scattered settlements. The island also has a merchant marine fleet for maritime transport.

54 heliports available by 2025.
10 merchant marine vessels as of 2023.
23 total ports, with 5 equipped with oil terminals.

Communications

Greenland's communication system includes fixed and mobile telephony, with about 70% of the population using the Internet. The Greenland Broadcasting Company provides public radio and television services, alongside a few private local stations.

67,000 mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2021.
6,000 fixed line subscriptions (2020 est.).
18,000 broadband fixed subscriptions in 2022.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	57,751	Estimated for 2024
Area	2,166,086 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$4.04 billion	Estimated for 2023
Real GDP per capita	$71,000	Estimated for 2023
Energy consumption	534.5 million kWh	For 2023
Birth rate	13.5 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment rate	Not specified	Data not available
Life expectancy at birth	74.5 years	Estimated for 2024
Urban population	87.9%	Of total population (2023 est.)
CO2 emissions	527,000 metric tonnes	Estimated for 2023