Country Profile: Greenland

Greenland, the largest island in the world, is situated between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada. The population of approximately 57,751 is predominantly Greenlandic, with a significant portion residing in the southwest, particularly in the capital, Nuuk. Economically, Greenland relies heavily on fish exports and Danish financial support, while its governance system is characterized by a parliamentary democracy with extensive self-governing powers under the Kingdom of Denmark.

Geography

Greenland covers an area of 2,166,086 square kilometers, with approximately 80% of its landmass covered by ice. The island features a rugged coastline, stretching 44,087 kilometers, and is characterized by arctic to subarctic climates, with cool summers and cold winters. The terrain primarily consists of a flat to gradually sloping icecap, while its interior remains largely uninhabited.

80% of Greenland is ice-covered.
3 times the size of Texas.
44,087 km of coastline.
1.71 million sq km of the ice sheet is the world's second largest.
Gunnbjorn Fjeld, the highest point, reaches 3,694 m.

People and Society

Greenland has a population of approximately 57,751, with a majority identifying as Greenlandic (88.1%). The official languages are Greenlandic and Danish, while the predominant religion is Evangelical Lutheran. The nation boasts a youthful demographic, with 20.4% of the population under 15 years and a median age of 35.6 years.

87.9% of the population resides in urban areas.
74.5 years is the life expectancy at birth.
13.32 births/1,000 population birth rate.
8.3 deaths/1,000 live births mortality rate.
1.87 children born per woman.

Economy

Greenland's economy is classified as a high-income, self-governing territory financially supported by Denmark. Key industries include fishing, with around 40.8% of GDP coming from exports, primarily fish and shellfish. The GDP is estimated at $4.04 billion in purchasing power parity, with a real growth rate of 0.9% in 2023, and a per capita GDP of $71,000.

61% of the economy is comprised of the service sector.
16.6% is derived from agriculture.
1.357 billion USD in exports projected for 2023.
1.7 billion USD in imports expected for 2023.
50% of exports are sent to Denmark.

Government

Greenland operates under a parliamentary democracy as part of the Kingdom of Denmark, with significant self-governance established since 1979. The capital city is Nuuk, with 31 members in the unicameral Parliament (Inatsisartut). The latest election was held in 2021, with the next expected in 2025.

The head of government is Prime Minister Jens-Frederik NIELSEN.
Voting age is 18 years for universal suffrage.
5 municipalities are established within Greenland.
National Day is celebrated on June 21.

Military and Security

Greenland does not maintain regular military forces of its own, relying instead on the Danish military's Joint Arctic Command for defense. The US Space Force operates a base on the island's northwest coast, underscoring Greenland's strategic importance.

No regular military forces exist in Greenland.
The Danish military is responsible for Greenland's defense.

Energy

Greenland achieves complete electrification, with electricity access reported at 100% as of 2022. The primary source of electricity generation is hydroelectric power, accounting for 85.8% of capacity, with a total installed generating capacity of 190,000 kW.

534.5 million kWh of electricity consumption in 2023.
4,000 bbl/day of refined petroleum consumption in 2023.
13.6% of total electricity capacity comes from fossil fuels.

Environment

Environmental issues in Greenland include climate change impacts like rising sea levels, alongside a predominantly ice-covered landscape. The island's natural resources are rich but underutilized, leading to ongoing interest in sustainable development.

99.4% of land use is classified as "other."
0.6% is used for agriculture.
527,000 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions projected for 2023.

Transportation

Greenland has a total of 25 airports and 54 heliports, with significant reliance on air travel for transportation. The merchant marine consists of 10 vessels, and the island has 23 ports for maritime access.

18,000 fixed broadband subscriptions reported in 2022.
Civil aircraft registration code: OY-H.

Communications

Greenland maintains a relatively modern communication system with a fixed line subscription of 6,000 and a mobile cellular subscription of 67,000. Internet access rates were around 70% in 2017, reflecting a growing digital infrastructure.

9 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants for fixed lines.
118 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants for mobile services.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	57,751	Estimated for 2024
Area	2,166,086 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$4.04 billion	Estimated for 2023
Real GDP per capita	$71,000	Estimated for 2023
Life Expectancy	74.5 years	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	13.32 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Death Rate	9.29 deaths/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment	NA	Not available
Electricity Access	100%	As of 2022
Urban Population	87.9%	2023 estimate