Greenland
Greenland is a vast autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. Recent estimates place the current population at approximately 56,800 people, with a high standard of living reflected in an estimated GDP per capita of 60,032 USD.
Where is Greenland?
Greenland
- Continent
- Americas
- Country
- Greenland
- Coordinates
- 72.00°, -40.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 56.8K
- Area
- 2,166,086 km²
- Density per km²
- 0 / km²
- Growth rate
- -0.05%
- Annual growth
- -28.96 people
- Daily growth
- -0.08 people
- World population share
- 0.00%
Population Trend
Historical series from 1960 to 2026
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Greenland
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Nuuk
- Region
- Americas
- Area
- 2,166,086 km²
- Languages
- Greenlandic
- Currency
- krone (kr.)
- Timezones
- UTC-04:00, UTC-03:00, UTC-01:00, UTC+00:00
- UN Member
- No
Economy
The economy is characterized by a strong reliance on the fishing industry and a substantial annual grant from the Danish government. Latest data shows a GDP growth rate of 0.87%, with the territory holding a global GDP per capita rank of 20 out of 212. In the Americas, Greenland ranks 4 out of 45 for GDP per capita, supported by exports of shrimp and fish as well as emerging interest in the mining of natural resources like gold and rare earth elements.
Society
Life expectancy in Greenland is currently 70.3 years, which ranks 150 out of 215 globally. The territory is highly urbanized, with 88.3% of the population living in towns and settlements, primarily along the coast. Recent figures show that 69.5% of the population are internet users, placing Greenland 135 out of 212 globally in terms of digital connectivity.
Climate & Environment
Greenland experiences an arctic climate with average summer temperatures rarely rising above 10 °C (50 °F) in most areas. The interior is dominated by a massive ice sheet, while coastal regions are subject to extreme seasonal variations, with months of continuous daylight in the summer and persistent darkness during the winter.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy
- Independence
- null (null)
Geography
- Highest Point
- Gunnbjorn Fjeld (3,694 m)
- Lowest Point
- Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 44,087 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in GreenlandExplore weather and climate data for cities in Greenland
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Nuuk
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -7°C / -12°C | -13°C / -18°C | 14days (71 mm) Wet | 1.7h Poor | 70% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| February | -9°C / -15°C | -15°C / -20°C | 9days (46 mm) Wet | 4.3h Fair | 69% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| March | -5°C / -10°C | -10°C / -16°C | 9days (53 mm) Wet | 7.7h Good | 71% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
| April | 1°C / -4°C | -4°C / -9°C | 9days (65 mm) Wet | 10h Excellent | 78% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| May | 4°C / -1°C | 0°C / -6°C | 8days (48 mm) Wet | 12.8h Excellent | 80% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| June | 8°C / 3°C | 5°C / -1°C | 13days (109 mm) Wet | 10.2h Excellent | 82% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| July best | 12°C / 6°C | 9°C / 3°C | 10days (62 mm) Wet | 11.1h Excellent | 83% Humid | Fair | View Details |
| August best | 11°C / 6°C | 8°C / 3°C | 9days (77 mm) Wet | 9.3h Good | 84% Humid | Fair | View Details |
| September | 8°C / 3°C | 4°C / -1°C | 11days (90 mm) Wet | 7.6h Good | 79% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| October | 3°C / -1°C | -1°C / -5°C | 10days (74 mm) Wet | 5.3h Fair | 77% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| November | -2°C / -7°C | -7°C / -12°C | 10days (74 mm) Wet | 2.1h Poor | 76% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| December | -5°C / -11°C | -11°C / -17°C | 10days (71 mm) Wet | 1h Poor | 71% Muggy | Poor | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: -7°C / -12°C . Feb: -9°C / -15°C . Mar: -5°C / -10°C . Apr: 1°C / -4°C . May: 4°C / -1°C . Jun: 8°C / 3°C . Jul: 12°C / 6°C . Aug: 11°C / 6°C . Sep: 8°C / 3°C . Oct: 3°C / -1°C . Nov: -2°C / -7°C . Dec: -5°C / -11°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 71 mm. Feb: 46 mm. Mar: 53 mm. Apr: 65 mm. May: 48 mm. Jun: 109 mm. Jul: 62 mm. Aug: 77 mm. Sep: 90 mm. Oct: 74 mm. Nov: 74 mm. Dec: 71 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Greenland is approximately 56.8K (2024).
The capital of Greenland is Nuuk.
Greenland's GDP per capita is $60K (2023).
Life expectancy in Greenland is 70.27 years (2024).
Greenland covers 2,166,086 km² (836,330 sq mi).
Greenland is very sparsely populated, with about 0 people per km² — well below the global average of 60.
Greenland's population is roughly stable, changing by less than 0.1% per year.
Yes — based on GDP per capita, Greenland falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $60K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Greenland's intentional homicide rate is 5.4 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.
The official language of Greenland is Greenlandic.
Greenland uses the krone (kr.) as its sole official currency.
Greenland is an island nation and shares no land borders.
The best months to visit Greenland are July, August, based on climate data for the capital.
The latest figures indicate a GDP per capita of 60,032 USD. This high value reflects the territory's stable economy and its fiscal relationship with Denmark. Globally, Greenland ranks 20 out of 212 for GDP per capita, and it holds the 4th position out of 45 in the Americas.
The life expectancy at birth in Greenland is currently 70.3 years. This places the territory at a global rank of 150 out of 215. While the territory offers modern healthcare in urban centers, the vast distances between settlements present unique challenges for consistent medical service delivery.
Greenland is the largest island in the world, covering a total area of 2,166,086 km² (836,330 sq mi). It features a coastline that extends for 44,087 km (27,394 mi). The highest point on the island is Gunnbjorn Fjeld, which reaches an elevation of 3,694 m (12,119 ft).
The official language is Greenlandic, an Eskimo-Aleut language spoken by about 89.7% of the population who are of Greenlandic Inuit descent. Danish is also widely used in official business and education. Most residents are bilingual, navigating both the indigenous language and Danish in daily life.
Greenland is not an independent country but a parliamentary democracy within the constitutional monarchy of the Kingdom of Denmark. It enjoys a high degree of autonomy over domestic affairs, including health and education, while Denmark retains control over foreign policy, defense, and currency matters.
All Indicators
Explore Greenland's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
Military & Security
Infrastructure
Geography
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