Factbook dossier
Background
Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 80% ice capped. The Inuit came to Greenland from North America in a series of migrations that stretched from 2500 BC to the11th century. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became part of the Kingdom of Denmark 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 EU's Overseas Countries and Territories Association. The Danish parliament granted Greenland home rule in 1979; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of self-government in 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in 2009. The Kingdom of 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.
Location
Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada
Area
total : 2,166,086 sq km land: 2,166,086 sq km (approximately 1,710,000 sq km ice-covered)
Natural resources
coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Natural hazards
continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island
Population
total: 57,751 (2024 est.) male: 29,843 female: 27,908
Ethnic groups
Greenlandic 88.1%, Danish 7.1%, Filipino 1.6%, other Nordic peoples 0.9%, and other 2.3% (2024 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth
Languages
Greenlandic, Danish, English note: West Greenlandic or Kalaallisut is the official language; Tunumiisut (East Greenlandic) and Inuktun (Polar Inuit Greenlandic) are considered dialects of Kalaallisut and spoken by about 10% of Greenlanders
Religions
Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs
Environmental issues
changes in sea levels and other disruptions in the Arctic environment
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)
Capital
name: Nuuk geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W time difference: UTC-2 (3 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October time zone note: Greenland has three time zones etymology: nuuk is the Inuit word for "cape;" until 1979, the name was Godthab, from the Danish words meaning "good hope"
Executive branch
chief of state: King FREDERIK X of Denmark (since 14 January 2024), represented by High Commissioner Julie Praest WILCHE (since May 2022) (2024) head of government: Prime Minister Jens-Frederik NIELSEN (since 28 March 2025) cabinet: Self-rule Government (Naalakkersuisut) elected by the Parliament (Inatsisartut) election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; premier indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term election results: 2025: Jens-Frederik NIELSEN (D) elected premier 2021: Mute B. EGEDE elected premier; Parliament vote - Mute B. EGEDE (Inuit Ataqatigiit) unanimous 2014: 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
legislature name: Parliament (Inatsisartut) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 31 (directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 4/6/2021 parties elected and seats per party: IA (12); S (10); N (4); D (3); A (2) percentage of women in chamber: 35% expected date of next election: 2025 note: Greenland elects 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$4.04 billion (2023 est.) $4.005 billion (2022 est.) $3.926 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita
$71,000 (2023 est.) $70,700 (2022 est.) $69,300 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.2% (2022 est.) 0% (2021 est.) 2.1% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Exports - partners
Denmark 50%, China 23%, UK 5%, Japan 5%, Germany 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Imports - partners
Denmark 58%, Sweden 19%, Spain 8%, Iceland 7%, Canada 2% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Military and security forces
no regular military forces