Greenland

Quick Facts

🇬🇱
Capital:
Nuuk
Official Language(s):
Greenlandic
Currency:
krone (kr.)
Population:
56,367

Overview

Greenland is an autonomous territory in the Kingdom of Denmark. It is the largest of three constituent parts of the kingdom, the other two being metropolitan Denmark and the Faroe Islands; the citizens of all territories are full citizens of Denmark. Greenland is one of the Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union. The capital and largest city of Greenland is Nuuk. Greenland lies between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. It is the world's largest island, and is the location of the northernmost point of land in the world—Kaffeklubben Island off the northern coast is the world's northernmost undisputed point of land; Cape Morris Jesup on the mainland was thought to be so until the 1960s. Economically, Greenland is heavily reliant on aid from Denmark, amounting to near half of the territory's total public revenue.

Institutional Framework

The strength of a country's institutions directly impacts its economic development and stability. Strong institutions reduce uncertainty, protect property rights, and enable efficient markets through:
  • Rule of law and contract enforcement
  • Control of corruption
  • Government effectiveness and regulatory quality

* Indicators normalized to 0-100 scale

Economic Structure

The composition of an economy reveals its strengths, vulnerabilities, and potential for growth. Understanding the balance between sectors (agriculture, industry, services) and their sophistication helps assess economic resilience and development opportunities.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic Scale & Power

An economy with $3,235,809,504.299B(2021) GDP, showing moderate growth at 1.3%(2021). Advanced economy with high living standards.

GDP Growth
1.3%(2021)
GDP PPP
$3,857,302,225.395

Economic Structure

Economic structure shows 62.7%(2021) in services, 16.1%(2021) in industry, and 17.5%(2021) in agriculture. Balanced economic structure.

Economic Health & Trade

Economic health indicators show N/A unemployment and N/A inflation. Trade profile with 35.4%(2021) exports and 49.7%(2021) imports as % of GDP.

Unemployment
N/A
Inflation
N/A
Exports/GDP
35.4%(2021)
Imports/GDP
49.7%(2021)

Innovation & Competitiveness

Innovation capacity determines a country's ability to compete in the global knowledge economy. Key indicators like R&D investment, patent applications, and high-tech exports reveal the potential for sustainable economic growth and value creation.

High-Tech Exports

N/A

% of manufactured exports

ICT Exports

N/A

% of total goods exports

Digital Adoption

N/A

% of population using internet

Mobile Connectivity

118.4

Subscriptions per 100 people

Manufacturing Value

2.9

% of GDP

International Position

A country's integration into global markets affects its economic opportunities and risks. Trade relationships, financial flows, and geographic advantages or constraints shape its development trajectory and resilience to external shocks.

Financial & Trade Geography

Trade Profile

Trade represents 85.15%(2021) of GDP, with a trade balance of -14.28%(2021).

FDI Inflows
N/A
FDI Outflows
N/A

Financial Security

External Debt

N/A

Foreign Reserves

N/A(N/A months of imports)

Supply Chain & Technology

Technology Trade

ICT Imports
N/A
High-Tech Exports
N/A

Economic Structure

Manufacturing
2.91%(2021)
Services
62.75%(2021)

Trade Agreements & Dependencies

Trade Agreements

No major trade agreements

Critical Dependencies

    Growth Trajectory

    Understanding growth patterns helps predict future economic performance and development challenges. Key factors include productivity trends, investment levels, and structural transformation progress, which together determine long-term prosperity potential.

    Growth Potential Indicators

    Human Capital

    Education and workforce development

    0.0/100

    Trade Position

    International trade and competitiveness

    12.8/100

    Economic Structure

    Sectoral balance and sophistication

    30.8/100

    Demographics & Human Capital

    Demographics are fundamental to understanding a country's economic potential and challenges. The population structure influences everything from labor force availability to social security systems and public spending priorities.

    Demographics

    Population Overview

    Total population of 56,653(2021) with 0.5%(2021) annual growth. Median age is N/A with fertility rate at 1.82 births/woman(2021).

    Life Expectancy
    71.814 years(2021)
    Birth Rate
    13.4 per 1,000(2021)

    Age Structure

    Working-age population (70.0%(2021)) with youth at 20.8%(2021) and elderly at 9.2%(2021). Total dependency ratio: 42.9%(2021).

    Young Dependency
    29.8%(2021)
    Old Dependency
    13.1%(2021)

    Gender & Migration

    Population is 47.3%(2021) female and 52.7%(2021) male, with sex ratio of 1.05 males/female(2021) at birth. Net migration: -324(2021).

    Male Mortality
    197.337/1,000(2021)
    Female Mortality
    125.648/1,000(2021)

    Development Indicators

    Urban population growing at 0.8%(2021) annually, with 12.5%(2021) in rural areas. Literacy rate: N/A.

    Urbanization
    87.5%(2021)
    Infant Mortality
    N/A

    Population Structure

    The population pyramid visualizes the age and gender distribution, revealing crucial insights about economic sustainability. A balanced pyramid with a strong working-age population (typically ages 15-64) indicates greater economic potential, as this group supports both the younger and older generations through:
    • Labor force participation and productivity
    • Tax contributions to support social services
    • Innovation and economic growth

    An aging population (top-heavy pyramid) or youth bulge (bottom-heavy) can create demographic pressures on social systems and economic stability.

    Source: World Bank Development Indicators

    Security Context

    Security considerations fundamentally affect economic development and investment attractiveness. Both geographic factors and military capabilities influence a country's stability and its ability to protect economic interests and maintain sustainable growth.

    Geographic & Resource Security

    Food & Agriculture

    Arable land comprises N/A of territory, with 0.6%(2021) total agricultural land. Cereal yield: N/A.

    Food Production Index
    N/A
    Cereal Production
    N/A

    Energy Security

    Net energy imports at N/A of consumption. Renewable energy makes up 100.0%(2021) of total. Electricity access: N/A.

    Resource Rents
    N/A

    Water Resources

    Fresh water resources of N/A per person. Annual precipitation: 0.001 mm(2021).

    Forest Area
    N/A

    Environmental Vulnerability

    N/A of population affected by climate disasters. Forest coverage at N/A providing natural buffer.

    Annual Rainfall
    0.001 mm(2021)

    Military & Security

    Military Capabilities

    Military expenditure at N/A of GDP. Armed forces personnel: N/A ( N/A of labor force).

    Arms Exports
    N/A
    Arms Imports
    N/A

    Strategic Status

    Military Alliances

    No major military alliances

    Nuclear Status

    Non-Nuclear State

    Security Environment

    Refugee population: 2,139(2021)Internally displaced: 1,993(2021)

    Strategic Geography

    Strategic Features