Country Profile: Greenland

Greenland, the world's largest island, is situated between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada. Approximately 80% of the island is ice-covered, with a population of around 57,751, primarily concentrated along the southwestern coastline. The economy is high-income and largely dependent on fishing, tourism, and financial support from Denmark, which also retains control over foreign affairs and security matters. Greenland's governance system includes a parliamentary democracy with significant autonomy established through home rule.

Geography

Greenland is located in Northern North America, featuring a vast area of 2,166,086 sq km, making it more than three times the size of Texas. The island is predominantly flat with a mountainous, rocky coastline and a harsh arctic to subarctic climate. A significant portion of Greenland's geography is characterized by the world's second-largest ice sheet, which plays a crucial role in global freshwater supply.

44,087 km of coastline
79% of the island covered by ice
3 nm territorial sea claims
Gunnbjorn Fjeld is the highest point at 3,694 m

People and Society

Greenland's population is estimated at 57,751 as of 2024, with a majority being Greenlandic (88.1%). The official language is Greenlandic, with Danish and English also widely spoken. The society is primarily urban, with 87.9% residing in urban areas, and a significant portion of cultural identity ties back to the indigenous Inuit heritage.

20.4% of the population is aged 0-14
67.1% fall between 15-64 years
12.5% are aged 65 and over
74.5 years is the life expectancy at birth

Economy

Greenland's economy is classified as high-income and self-governing, heavily reliant on the fishing industry, which accounts for a significant portion of its exports. The GDP in 2023 was approximately $4.04 billion, with a per capita income of $71,000. The country has shown growth potential in tourism and exploration of natural resources, while Danish support remains vital for economic stability.

61% of the GDP comes from services (2023)
$1.357 billion in exports for 2023
$1.7 billion in imports for 2023
1.3% decline in industrial production (2023)

Government

Greenland operates under a parliamentary democracy, gaining home rule in 1979 and self-government in 2009. The capital, Nuuk, serves as the political center, with the Danish monarchy represented through a high commissioner. The elected parliament (Inatsisartut) oversees local governance while Denmark retains authority in foreign affairs and security.

31 seats in the legislative assembly
Universal suffrage at age 18
Current Prime Minister: Jens-Frederik Nielsen (since March 2025)
National Day celebrated on June 21

Military and Security

Greenland has no regular military forces, with defense coordination managed by the Danish military's Joint Arctic Command based in Nuuk. The US Space Force maintains a strategic base on the island's northwest coast, underscoring its geopolitical significance.

Energy

Greenland relies on hydropower for its energy needs, with 85.8% of its energy capacity sourced from hydroelectric power. The country boasts a 100% electrification rate across its population.

534.5 million kWh electricity consumption reported in 2023
190,000 kW installed generating capacity
527,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions in 2023

Environment

The harsh environment of Greenland is witnessing changes, particularly related to climate change, with concerns over rising sea levels and other Arctic disruptions. Natural resources, although minimally utilized, include minerals and potential oil and gas reserves, while continuous permafrost remains a defining ecological feature.

0.6% of land used for agriculture (2022)
99.4% of land classified as other uses (2022)
50,000 tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2010)

Transportation

Greenland's transportation infrastructure includes 25 airports and 54 heliports as of 2025. The country's geography limits road networks, making air travel essential for connectivity and logistics.

23 total ports including 5 with oil terminals
10 merchant marine vessels currently in operation (2023)

Communications

Greenland's communication landscape includes a blend of fixed, mobile, and internet services. About 70% of the population had internet access as of 2017, with numerous local and public broadcasting stations available.

67,000 mobile cellular subscriptions (2021)
18,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2022)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	57,751	2024 estimate
Area	2,166,086 sq km	Total area
GDP	$4.04 billion	2023 estimate
GDP per capita	$71,000	2023 estimate
Energy Consumption	534.5 million kWh	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	13.5 births/1,000	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	Not specified	N/A
Life Expectancy	74.5 years	2024 estimate
Urban Population	87.9%	2023 estimate
Dependency Ratio	49	Total dependency ratio