Imagine an island more than fifty times the size of Denmark where you could, on average, fit the entire population of a small town into a space larger than Mexico, and you begin to grasp the unique reality of Greenland's 56,583 residents.
Key Takeaways
- As of January 1, 2023, the total population of Greenland was 56,583 inhabitants
- Greenland's population density in 2022 was 0.14 people per square kilometer
- The land area of Greenland is 2,166,086 square kilometers with a population of 56,367 in 2021, yielding a density of 0.026/km²
- 0-14 years old comprise 21.8% of Greenland's population in 2023
- 15-64 years old make up 69.3% of the population as of 2023
- 65+ years old represent 8.9% of population in 2023
- Total male population 28,700 (50.7%) in 2023
- Female population 27,883 (49.3%) in 2023
- Sex ratio overall 1.03 males per female in 2023
- 89% of population is Inuit (Kalaallit and Inughuit) in 2023
- Danes comprise 10% of population in 2021
- Other Europeans 1% in 2023
- Net migration rate -0.7 migrants/1,000 pop in 2023
- Urban population 87.5% of total in 2023
- Annual urbanization rate 0.1% 2020-2025
Greenland has a tiny, slowly growing population spread across vast, remote terrain.
Age Structure
- 0-14 years old comprise 21.8% of Greenland's population in 2023
- 15-64 years old make up 69.3% of the population as of 2023
- 65+ years old represent 8.9% of population in 2023
- Median age in Greenland is 34.4 years in 2023
- Total dependency ratio is 44.3% in 2021
- Youth dependency ratio (0-14/15-64) is 31.5% in 2023
- Elderly dependency ratio (65+/15-64) is 12.8% in 2023
- Population under 15 in 2020: 12,200 (21.7%)
- Population 15-24: 9,800 (17.4%) in 2021
- 25-54 years: 24,500 (43.6%) in 2021
- 55-64 years: 6,200 (11%) in 2021
- Over 65: 4,900 (8.7%) in 2021
- Age distribution 0-4: 15.2% in 2015 census
- 5-9 years: 14.8% in 2015
- 10-14 years: 13.5% in 2015
- 15-19: 12.1% in 2015
- 20-24: 11.3% in 2015
- Projected median age 2030: 36.2 years
- Child population (0-17) 15,400 in 2021 (27.4%)
- Working age (15-64) 38,900 (69.2%) in 2021
- Retirement age population growth rate 2.1% annually 2015-2020
- Age pyramid base narrowing, fertility decline impact
- Proportion 0-14 projected to drop to 20.5% by 2030
- 65+ projected to rise to 10.2% by 2030
- Average age of women at birth 26.5 years in 2021
- School-age population (6-15) 10,200 in 2023
- Youth (15-24) unemployment affects age cohort size
- Male median age 33.8 years, female 35.0 in 2023
Age Structure Interpretation
Greenland is facing the demographic squeeze of a generation: while a robust working-age majority shoulders the economy today, a gradually narrowing base of youth and a slowly swelling cohort of retirees hint that the future will demand more from fewer.
Ethnicity and Origins
- 89% of population is Inuit (Kalaallit and Inughuit) in 2023
- Danes comprise 10% of population in 2021
- Other Europeans 1% in 2023
- Kalaallit (Greenlandic Inuit) 88%, Inughuit (Polar Inuit) 1%
- Danish descent permanent residents 7,000 in 2021
- Filipinos 0.5% (about 280 people) in 2023
- Thule people (Inughuit) population 700 in north
- Mixed Inuit-Danish 5% in urban areas 2021
- Indigenous population proportion 92% including mixes 2023
- Non-Inuit 12% in Nuuk 2023
- Historical Inuit migration from Canada 1000 AD
- Norse settlers descendants negligible today
- Asian origin residents 0.3% (170 people) 2021
- African origin <0.1% in 2023
- Language speakers: Greenlandic 88%, Danish 10%
- Inuit cultural dominance 95% in rural areas
- Danish citizens non-ethnic 4% of pop 2021
- Genetic studies show 80% Siberian Inuit ancestry
- Polar Eskimo distinct group 600 people
- Urban ethnic diversity higher, 20% non-Inuit in Nuuk
Ethnicity and Origins Interpretation
While Greenland's heart beats overwhelmingly to an Inuit drum, with a proud 88% majority, its modern pulse in towns like Nuuk reveals a subtle but growing Danish and international rhythm, proving that even the most remote icy frontiers are not immune to the gentle stir of a global melting pot.
Gender Distribution
- Total male population 28,700 (50.7%) in 2023
- Female population 27,883 (49.3%) in 2023
- Sex ratio overall 1.03 males per female in 2023
- At birth, sex ratio 1.05 males/female in 2023
- Under 15 sex ratio 1.04 in 2021
- 15-64 sex ratio 1.02 in 2021
- 65+ sex ratio 0.85 males/female in 2021
- Life expectancy male 70.8 years, female 75.2 in 2023
- Male population in Nuuk 9,500 (50.5%) in 2023
- Female in Nuuk 9,300 (49.5%)
- Gender imbalance in north Greenland, 52% male in Avannaata 2023
- South Greenland (Kujalleq) 51% female in 2023
- Overall sex ratio at birth stable 1.05 since 2010
- Working age males 19,800 (51%) in 2021
- Working age females 19,100 (49%)
- Elderly males 2,100 (42.8%), females 2,800 (57.2%) 2021
- Youth males 6,300 (51.6%), females 5,900 (48.4%) under 15 2021
- Gender ratio projected stable to 2030 at 1.03
- Suicide rates higher in males, impacting gender stats
- Male emigration higher, affecting ratios
- Female life expectancy gap 4.4 years in 2023
- Inuit males 88% of male pop
Gender Distribution Interpretation
Greenland presents a remarkably balanced demographic dance, with men narrowly leading in youth and working age numbers only to gracefully bow out earlier, leaving the stage increasingly to women in their later years.
Migration and Urbanization
- Net migration rate -0.7 migrants/1,000 pop in 2023
- Urban population 87.5% of total in 2023
- Annual urbanization rate 0.1% 2020-2025
- Immigrants from Denmark 1,200 net in 2022
- Emigration to Denmark 1,500 annually average 2015-2020
- Rural population 6,700 (12.5%) in 2023
- Internal migration to Nuuk 300 people/year 2021-2023
- Foreign-born population 12% in 2021
- Refugee population negligible, <50 in 2023
- Largest city Nuuk urban agglomeration 19,500 in 2023
- Sisimiut urban pop 6,000 (100% urban) 2023
- Migration from south to north low, 50/year
- EU citizens migrants 200/year average
- Population growth from migration -0.1% contribution 2023
- Urban density in Nuuk 200/km² local
- Thule Air Base migration impacts 100 personnel turnover/year
- Return migration Danes 400/year
- Youth out-migration to Denmark 800 under 25/year
Migration and Urbanization Interpretation
Greenland’s cities are slowly growing as people huddle together for warmth against a backdrop of steady outbound youth and Danes gradually reconsidering their frozen adventure, yet its vast icy heart quietly empties out one plane ticket at a time.
Population Size and Density
- As of January 1, 2023, the total population of Greenland was 56,583 inhabitants
- Greenland's population density in 2022 was 0.14 people per square kilometer
- The land area of Greenland is 2,166,086 square kilometers with a population of 56,367 in 2021, yielding a density of 0.026/km²
- In 2020, Greenland's population reached 56,225, marking a 0.34% increase from 2019
- Nuuk, the capital, had a population of 18,800 as of 2023, representing 33.2% of Greenland's total population
- Sisimiut municipality population was 5,900 in 2023
- Ilulissat population stood at 4,730 in 2021
- Greenland's total population in 2015 was 55,847 according to census data
- Qaqortoq had 3,210 residents in 2023
- Aasiaat population was 3,050 in 2021
- Maniitsoq municipality counted 2,510 people in 2023
- Paamiut had 1,320 inhabitants in 2021
- Upernavik population was 1,125 in 2023
- Qasigiannguit had 1,020 residents in 2021
- Tasiilaq population reached 2,080 in 2023
- Ittoqqortoormiit had 370 people in 2021
- Scoresbysund (Ittoqqortoormiit) density is extremely low at under 0.001/km² locally
- Greenland's population in 2000 was 56,124
- Projected population for 2030 is 57,200
- 1960 population was 32,999, showing historical growth
- Kangerlussuaq had 512 residents in 2021
- Narsaq population was 1,480 in 2023
- Qeqertarsuaq (Godhavn) had 840 people in 2021
- Uummannaq population 1,341 in 2023
- Average household size in Greenland is 2.7 persons in 2021
- Pituffik Space Base has about 150 permanent residents
- Total municipalities in Greenland: 4, with combined pop 56,583 in 2023
- Avannaata municipality pop 10,925 in 2023
- Kujalleq pop 6,888 in 2023
- Qeqqata pop 9,677 in 2023
- Sermersooq pop 21,232 in 2023
Population Size and Density Interpretation
While Greenland's population could fit comfortably in a single large football stadium, its inhabitants have wisely spread themselves across an icy expanse the size of Western Europe to ensure everyone gets a breathtaking, if slightly chilly, front-yard view.
Sources & References
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