Moving to Greenland: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

4 facts — expand for details.

Population

57,616

Population Growth Rate

0.03%

Urban Population

84.700000

Population in Major Urban Areas

NUUK (capital) 16,000

6 facts — expand for details.

Age Structure

21.260000

Median Age

33.600000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

15

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8.3

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.08

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.050000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-5.98

Ethnic Groups

Greenlander 88% (Inuit and Greenland-born whites), Danish and others 12%

Nationality Noun

Greenlander(s)

4 facts — expand for details.

Literacy - total population

100%

Literacy - male

100%

Literacy - female

100%

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

0.000000

5 facts — expand for details.

Life Expectancy at Birth

71.540000

Infant Mortality Rate

9.630000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

9.630000

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

100.000000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

100.000000

4 facts — expand for details.

Economic 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 price fluctuations.

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.

The economy contracted between 2012 and 2014, grew by 1.7% in 2015 and by 7.7%in 2016.

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.

Private consumption and tourism also are contributing to GDP growth more than in previous years.

Tourism in Greenland grew 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 Self 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.

Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices.

The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed, but a lack of infrastructure hinders development.

Industries

FIsh processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut), handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards, mining

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$37,900.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

0.9%

7 facts — expand for details.

GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$2,413,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$37,900.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

0.9%

GDP - official exchange rate

$2,160,000,000 (USD)

GDP by Sector- agriculture

13.9%

GDP by Sector- Industry

19.2%

GDP by Sector- services

67%

4 facts — expand for details.

Inflation Rate

9.4%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Danish krone (DKK)

Currency Name and Code

Danish Krone (DKK)

Fiscal Year

Calendar year

5 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force

28,240

Unemployment Rate

6.8%

Major Industries

FIsh processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut), handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards, mining

Agriculture Products

• Forage crops, garden and greenhouse vegetables
• sheep, reindeer
• fish

Population Below Poverty Line

9.2%

3 facts — expand for details.

Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

4%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

29%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

67%

Annual Budget

$1,470,000,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

1.9%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

79.6%

7 facts — expand for details.

Full Country Name

None

Country Name

Greenland

Local - Long

None

Local - Short

Kalaallit Nunaat

Etymology- history of name

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

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)

National Holiday

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

10 facts — expand for details.

Government Type

Parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland or Inatsisartut)

Constitution

History: Previous 1953 (Greenland established as a constituency in the Danish constitution), 1979 (Greenland Home Rule Act)

latest 21 June 2009 (Greenland Self-Government Act)

Legal System:

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

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:

• Description: Unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote - by the d'Hondt method - to serve 4-year terms) Greenland elects 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms Eelections: Greenland Parliament - last held on 6 April 2021 (next to be held in 2025) Greenland members to Danish Parliament - last held on 5 June 2019 (next to be held by 4 June 2023)
• Election Results: Greenland Parliament - percent of vote by party - IA 38.7%, S 32.2%, N 12.9%, D 9.7%, A 6.5%; seats by party - IA 12, S 10, N 4, D 3, A 2;
• Composition: men 21, women 10, percent of women 32.2% Greenland members in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - IA 1, S 1;
• Composition: 2 women

Judicial Branch:

• 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

Regions or States:

5 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Avannaata, Kujalleq, Qeqertalik, Qeqqata, Sermersooq Note: Northeast Greenland National Park (Kalaallit Nunaanni Nuna Eqqissisimatitaq) 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

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Democrats Party (Demokraatit) or D [Jens Frederik NIELSEN]
• Fellowship Party (Atassut) or A [Aqqalu JERIMIASSEN]
• Forward Party (Siumut) or S [Erik JENSEN]
• Inuit Community (Inuit Ataqatigiit) or IA [Mute Bourup EGEDE]
• Signpost Party (Naleraq) or N [Pele BROBERG] (formerly Partii Naleraq)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

See Denmark

4 facts — expand for details.

Capital Name

Nuuk (Godthaab)

Capital - geographic coordinate

64 11 N, 51 45 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC-2 (3 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Time zone note: Greenland has four time zones

Daylight Savings Time

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

4 facts — expand for details.

International Organization Participation:

Arctic Council, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Consul Monica BLAND (since July 2023)
• Embassy: Aalisartut Aqqutaa 47 Nuuk 3900 Greenland
• Telephone: (+299) 384100
• Email: USConsulateNuuk@state.gov
• Website: https://dk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulate/nuuk/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Kenneth HOEGH, Head of Representation; note - Greenland also has offices in the Danish consulates in Chicago and New York
• Chancery: 3200 Whitehaven Street, NW Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 234-4300
• FAX: +1 (202) 328-1470
• Email: washington@nanoq.gl
• Website: https://naalakkersuisut.gl/en/Naalakkersuisut/Groenlands-repraesentation-Washington

Dependency Status

Part of the Kingdom of Denmark

self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979

5 facts — expand for details.

Geographic Location

Europe

Geographic Coordinates

72 00 N, 40 00 W

Total Area

836,326 Square Miles 2,166,086 Square Kilometers

Land Area

836,326 Square Miles 2,166,086 Square Kilometers

Coastline

27,394 Miles 44,087 Kilometers

5 facts — expand for details.

Terrain

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

Highest Point

3,700 Meters

Highest Point Location

Gunnbjorn 3,700 m

Lowest Point Location

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources

Eoal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, gold, platinum, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Time Zone

UTC-2 (3 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Time zone note: Greenland has four time zones

Daylight saving time

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

4 facts — expand for details.

Climate

Arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Terrain

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

Location

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

Total Area

836,326 Square Miles 2,166,086 Square Kilometers

Environment - Current Issues

Protection of the arctic environment

preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting

4 facts — expand for details.

Exports

$485,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$867,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

FIsh and fish products 94% (prawns 63%)

Major Imports

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

Top Export Partners

Denmark 63.7%, Japan 14.4%, US 5.4%, Thailand 4.6%

Top Import Partners

Denmark 82.5%, Norway 8.5%, Russia 1.8%

Export Partners

Denmark 63.7%, Japan 14.4%, US 5.4%, Thailand 4.6%

Import Partners

Denmark 82.5%, Norway 8.5%, Russia 1.8%

Airports - total

15

Airports with Paved Runways

10

Ports and Terminals

Aasiaat (Egedesminde), Ilulissat (Jakobshavn), Kangerlussuaq, Nanortalik, Narsarsuaq, Nuuk (Godthab), Qaqortoq (Julianehab), Sisimiut (Holsteinsborg), Tasiilaq

7 facts — expand for details.

Telephones

22,000

Cell Phones

66,400

Internet Users

52,000

Internet Country Code

.gl

Internet Hosts

15,668

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

Telephone System

• assessment: Adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables and microwave radio relay; totally digital since 1995
• Domestic: Microwave radio relay and satellite
• International: Country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean))

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

285,600,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

310,300,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

3,897

3 facts — expand for details.

Anthem History

"Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" (You Our Ancient Land) is the national anthem of Greenland, a dependency of Denmark.

The anthem was adopted in 1916, written by Henrik Lund (words) and Jonathan Petersen (music) created the anthem.

Since 1979 "Nuna asiilasooq" (The Land of Great Length) is also officially recognised as a national anthem, which is used by the self-governing Inuit people.

Anthem Lyrics

Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit Nunarput, utoqqarsuanngoravit niaqqut ulissimavoqq qiinik.

Qitornatit kissumiaannarpatit tunillugit sineriavit piinik.

Akullequtaastut merletutut ilinni perotugut tamaani kalaallinik imminik taajumavugut niaqquit ataqqinartup saani.

Atortillugillu tamaasa pisit ingerlaniarusuleqaagut, nutarterlugillu noqitsigisatit siumut, siumut piumaqaagut.

Inersimalersut ingerlanerat tungaalitsiterusuleqaarput, oqaatsit "aviisit" qanoq kingunerat atussasoq erinigileqaarput.

Taqilluni naami atunngiveqaaq, kalaallit siumut makigitsi.

Inuttut inuuneq pigiuminaqaaq, saperasi isumaqaleritsi.

Anthem Lyrics English

Our country, which has become so old your head is all covered with white hair.

Always held us, your children, in your bosom and gave us the riches of your coasts.

As middle children in the family we blossomed here Kalaallit, we want to call ourselves before your proud and honourable head.

With a burning desire to develop what you have to give, renewing, removing your obstacles of our desire to move forward, forward.

The way of matured societies is our zealous goal to attain; the effect of speech and letters we long to behold.

Humbleness is not the course, Kalaallit wake up and be proud!

A dignified life is our goal; couragously take a stand.