2017 Edition

Background

Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became an integral part of the Danish Realm 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 Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the EU. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in June 2009. 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.

Area

2,166,086 sq km 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered)

land

2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered)

total

2,166,086 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly more than three times the size of Texas

Climate

arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Coastline

44,087 km

Elevation

1,792 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,694 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

highest point

Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,694 m

mean elevation

1,792 m

Environment - current issues

protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting

Geographic coordinates

72 00 N, 40 00 W

Geography - note

dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice sheet after that of Antarctica

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

0.6% arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0.6% 0% 99.4% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

0.6%

forest

0%

other

99.4% (2011 est.)

Location

Northern North America, island between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, northeast of Canada

Map references

Arctic Region

Maritime claims

3 nm 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

continental shelf

200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural hazards

continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

Natural resources

coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Population - distribution

settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited

Terrain

flat to gradually sloping icecap covers all but a narrow, mountainous, barren, rocky coast

Age structure

21.11% (male 6,195/female 5,986) 15.48% (male 4,506/female 4,429) 41.21% (male 12,473/female 11,309) 12.96% (male 4,112/female 3,370) 9.24% (male 2,862/female 2,471) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

21.11% (male 6,195/female 5,986)

15-24 years

15.48% (male 4,506/female 4,429)

25-54 years

41.21% (male 12,473/female 11,309)

55-64 years

12.96% (male 4,112/female 3,370)

65 years and over

9.24% (male 2,862/female 2,471) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

14.4 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Ethnic groups

Inuit 88%, Danish and other 12% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

8.2 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant mortality rate

8.9 deaths/1,000 live births 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

10.1 deaths/1,000 live births

total

8.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Greenlandic (East Inuit) (official), Danish (official), English

Life expectancy at birth

72.6 years 69.9 years 75.5 years (2017 est.)

female

75.5 years (2017 est.)

male

69.9 years

total population

72.6 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 100% 100% 100% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

100% (2015 est.)

male

100%

total population

100%

Major urban areas - population

NUUK (capital) 17,000 (2014)

Median age

33.9 years 35 years 32.7 years (2017 est.)

female

32.7 years (2017 est.)

male

35 years

total

33.9 years

Nationality

Greenlander(s) Greenlandic

adjective

Greenlandic

noun

Greenlander(s)

Net migration rate

-6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Physicians density

1.73 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

57,713 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited

Population growth rate

-0.03% (2017 est.)

Religions

Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female 1.26 male(s)/female 1.15 male(s)/female 1.1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.02 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.26 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.15 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.99 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

87.2% of total population (2017) 0.27% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.27% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

87.2% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

4 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Kujalleq, Qaasuitsup, Qeqqata, Sermersooq the North and East Greenland National Park (Avannaarsuani Tunumilu Nuna Allanngutsaaliugaq) and the Thule Air Base in Pituffik (in northwest Greenland) are two unincorporated areas; the national park's 972,000 sq km - about 46% of the island - makes it the largest national park in the world and also the most northerly

note

the North and East Greenland National Park (Avannaarsuani Tunumilu Nuna Allanngutsaaliugaq) and the Thule Air Base in Pituffik (in northwest Greenland) are two unincorporated areas; the national park's 972,000 sq km - about 46% of the island - makes it the largest national park in the world and also the most northerly

Capital

Nuuk (Godthaab) 64 11 N, 51 45 W UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Greenland has four time zones

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

64 11 N, 51 45 W

name

Nuuk (Godthaab)

note

Greenland has four time zones

time difference

UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see Denmark

Constitution

previous 1953 (Greenland established as a constituency in the Danish constitution), 1979 (Greenland Home Rule Act); latest 21 June 2009 (Greenland Self-Government Act) (2016)

Country name

none Greenland none Kalaallit Nunaat named by Norwegian adventurer Erik THORVALDSSON (Erik the Red) in A.D. 985 in order to entice settlers to the island

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Greenland

local long form

none

local short form

Kalaallit Nunaat

note

named by Norwegian adventurer Erik THORVALDSSON (Erik the Red) in A.D. 985 in order to entice settlers to the island

Dependency status

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); note - the US Embassy in Copenhagen has an office devoted to Greenland

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark): note - Greenland has an office in the Danish Embassy to the US; it also has offices in the Danish consulates of Chicago and New York

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

note - Greenland has an office in the Danish Embassy to the US; it also has offices in the Danish consulates of Chicago and New York

Executive branch

Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Mikaela ENGELL (since April 2011) Premier Kim KIELSEN (since 30 September 2014) Home Rule Government elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; premier indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term Kim KIELSEN elected premier; Parliament vote - Kim KIELSEN (S) 34.3%, Sara OLSVIG (IA) 33.2%, Anda ULDUM (D) 11.8%, other 20.7%

cabinet

Home Rule Government elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties

chief of state

Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Mikaela ENGELL (since April 2011)

election results

Kim KIELSEN elected premier; Parliament vote - Kim KIELSEN (S) 34.3%, Sara OLSVIG (IA) 33.2%, Anda ULDUM (D) 11.8%, other 20.7%

elections/appointments

the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; premier indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term

head of government

Premier Kim KIELSEN (since 30 September 2014)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white; the design represents the sun reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of Denmark

Government type

parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland); part of the Kingdom of Denmark

Independence

none (extensive self-rule as part of the Kingdom of Denmark; foreign affairs is the responsibility of Denmark, but Greenland actively participates in international agreements relating to Greenland)

International organization participation

Arctic Council, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU

Judicial branch

High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors); note - appeals beyond the High Court of Greenland can be heard by the Supreme Court (in Copenhagen) judges appointed by the monarch upon the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70 Court of Greenland; 18 district or magistrates' courts

highest court(s)

High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors); note - appeals beyond the High Court of Greenland can be heard by the Supreme Court (in Copenhagen)

judge selection and term of office

judges appointed by the monarch upon the recommendation of the Judicial Appointments Council, a 6-member independent body of judges and lawyers; judges appointed for life with retirement at age 70

subordinate courts

Court of Greenland; 18 district or magistrates' courts

Legal system

the laws of Denmark apply where applicable and Greenlandic law applies to other areas

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (Landsting) (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) last held on 28 November 2014 (next to be held by 2018) percent of vote by party - S 34.6%, IA 33.5%, D 11.9%, PN 11.7%, A 6.6%, other 1.7%; seats by party - S 11, IA 11, D 4, PN 3, A 2 2 representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 18 June 2015 (next to be held by June 2019); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - S 1, IA 1 (2013)

description

unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (Landsting) (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - S 34.6%, IA 33.5%, D 11.9%, PN 11.7%, A 6.6%, other 1.7%; seats by party - S 11, IA 11, D 4, PN 3, A 2

elections

last held on 28 November 2014 (next to be held by 2018)

note

2 representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 18 June 2015 (next to be held by June 2019); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - S 1, IA 1 (2013)

National anthem

"Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" ("Our Country, Who's Become So Old" also translated as "You Our Ancient Land") Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem

lyrics/music

Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN

name

"Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" ("Our Country, Who's Become So Old" also translated as "You Our Ancient Land")

note

adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem

National holiday

National Day, June 21; note - marks the summer solstice and the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere

National symbol(s)

polar bear; national colors: red, white

polar bear; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Democrats Party or D (Demokraatit) [Randi VESTERGAARD EVALDSEN] Forward Party or S (Siumut) [Kim KIELSEN] Inuit Community or IA (Inuit Ataqatigiit) [Sara OLSVIG] Inuit Party or PI (Partii Inuit) [Nikku OLSEN] Partii Naleraq or PN [Hans ENOKSEN] Solidarity Party or A (Atassut) [Siverth Karl HEILMANN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

conservationists; environmentalists; independence activists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

sheep, cow, reindeer, fish

Budget

$1.578 billion $1.876 billion (2014 est.)

expenditures

$1.876 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$1.578 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-13.5% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA%

Debt - external

$36.4 million (2010) $58 million (2009)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.9 (2015 est.) 34.3 (2014 est.)

Economy - overview

Greenland’s economy depends on exports of shrimp and fish, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. Fish account for over 90% of its exports, subjecting the economy to fluctuations in world demand. The subsidy from the Danish Government is budgeted to be about $535 million in 2017, more than 50% of government revenues, and 25% of GDP. The economy is expanding after a period of decline. In 2016 the economy grew 4.6% compared to 1.1% in 2015 and negative growth in the years 2013-14. For 2017 the economy is expected to continue to expand at a more subdued rate. The expansion has been driven by larger quotas for shrimp, the predominant Greenlandic export, and also by increased activity in the construction sector, especially in Nuuk, the capital, where the harbor is being enlarged and a prison is under construction. Private consumption and tourism also are contributing to GDP growth more than in previous years. Tourism in Greenland has grown annually around 20% in 2015 and 2016, largely a result of increasing numbers of cruise lines now operating in Greenland's western and southern waters during the peak summer tourism season. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland's economy. During the last decade the Greenland Home Rule Government pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care, and retirement systems. The budget was in deficit in 2014 and 2016, but public debt remains low at about 5% of GDP. The government plans a balanced budget for the 2017–20 period. Significant challenges face the island, including low levels of qualified labor, geographic dispersion, lack of industry diversification, the long-term sustainability of the public budget, and a declining population due to emigration. Catches in fisheries have been declining in recent years. Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices and currently only three mines are under development. The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed.

Exchange rates

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 6.7309 (2016) 6.7309 (2015) 6.7236 (2014 est.) 5.6125 (2013 est.) 5.79 (2012 est.)

Exports

$407.1 million (2015 est.) $599.7 million (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish and fish products 91% (2015 est.)

Exports - partners

Denmark 81.2%, Portugal 8.3% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

24.8% 28% 14.3% -13.9% 18.2% 28.6% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

18.2%

government consumption

28%

household consumption

24.8%

imports of goods and services

28.6% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

14.3%

investment in inventories

-13.9%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

15.9% 10.1% 73.9% (2015)

agriculture

15.9%

industry

10.1%

services

73.9% (2015)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$37,600 (2015 est.) $37,000 (2014 est.) $38,500 (2013 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

1.7% (2015 est.) -0.8% (2014 est.) -3% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.221 billion (2011 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.173 billion (2015 est.) $2.137 billion (2014 est.) $2.154 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$783.5 million (2015 est.) $866.1 million (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, petroleum products

Imports - partners

Denmark 72.2%, Sweden 9.8% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, zinc, anorthosite and ruby mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.3% (January 2017 est.) 1.2% (January 2016 est.)

Labor force

26,840 (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

15.9% 10.1% 73.9% (2015 est.)

agriculture

15.9%

industry

10.1%

services

73.9% (2015 est.)

Population below poverty line

16.2% (2015 est.)

Public debt

13% of GDP (2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

71% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.1% (2015 est.) 10.3% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

520,400 Mt (2015 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

581.3 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

51.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

48.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

187,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

625 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

4,633 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

the Greenland Broadcasting Company provides public radio and TV services throughout the island with a broadcast station and a series of repeaters; a few private local TV and radio stations; Danish public radio rebroadcasts are available (2015)

Internet country code

.gl

Internet users

39,544 68.5% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

68.5% (July 2016 est.)

total

39,544

Telephone system

adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables, and microwave radio relay; totally digital since 1995 microwave radio relay and satellite; the fundamental telecommunications infrastructure consists of a digital radio link from Nanortalik in south Greenland to Uummannaq in north Greenland; satellites cover north and east Greenland for domestic and foreign telecommunications; a marine cable connects south and west Greenland to the rest of the world, extending from Nuuk and Qaqortoq to Canada and Iceland country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2015)

domestic

microwave radio relay and satellite; the fundamental telecommunications infrastructure consists of a digital radio link from Nanortalik in south Greenland to Uummannaq in north Greenland; satellites cover north and east Greenland for domestic and foreign telecommunications; a marine cable connects south and west Greenland to the rest of the world, extending from Nuuk and Qaqortoq to Canada and Iceland

general assessment

adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables, and microwave radio relay; totally digital since 1995

international

country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

16,000 28 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

28 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

16,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

61,000 106 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

106 (July 2016 est.)

total

61,000

Airports

15 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

6 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

10

under 914 m

6 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

5

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

OY-H (2016)

Merchant marine

1 (Denmark 1) (2010)

registered in other countries

1 (Denmark 1) (2010)

National air transport system

1 (registered in Denmark) 8 (registered in Denmark) (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

8 (registered in Denmark) (2015)

number of registered air carriers

1 (registered in Denmark)

Ports and terminals

Sisimiut

major seaport(s)

Sisimiut

Roadways

although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air (2015)

note

although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air (2015)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Military branches

no regular military forces or conscription; the Government of Denmark has responsibility for defense; as such the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk is responsible for territorial defense of Greenland (2016)

Disputes - international

managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission