Greenland
Greenland
Current Population (Live)
Annual Growth Rate: +0.88%
As a microstate in North America, Greenland is home to just 56.5k people, making it one of the less populous countries in the world. Its capital is Nuuk, and Greenlandic is the official language, while the krone serves as the national currency.
Population
56,542
Area
2,166,086 km²
Density
0/km²
World Rank
#209
Population Trend (1960-2050)
Historical data from 1960 to present with projections to 2050.
Annual Growth Rate by Period
Population growth has effectively stalled at 0% annually, suggesting the country is approaching or has reached a demographic plateau. The gap between the birth rate (12.6 per thousand) and death rate (9.4 per thousand) has narrowed considerably. The age distribution is relatively balanced, with 20.8% of residents under 15 and 10.8% over 65.
General Information
- Capital
- Nuuk
- Region
- Americas
- Subregion
- North America
- Continent
- North America
- Languages
- Greenlandic
- Currencies
- krone (kr.)
- Calling Code
- +299
- Top-Level Domain
- .gl
- Landlocked
- No
- UN Member
- No
- Timezones
- UTC-04:00, UTC-03:00, UTC-01:00, UTC+00:00
Population Details
- Total Population
- 56,542
- Land Area
- 2,166,086 km²
- Population Density
- 0 per km²
- Annual Growth Rate
- +0.88%
- Annual Growth
- +498 people
- Daily Growth
- +1 people
- World Population Share
- 0.00%
- Coordinates
- 72.00°, -40.00°
Global Population Share
Demographics & Economy
With a GDP per capita of roughly $58.5k, Greenland sits comfortably in the high-income bracket by World Bank standards.
Life Expectancy
71.5 years
GDP per Capita
$58,499
Birth Rate
12.6 per 1,000
Death Rate
9.4 per 1,000
Urban Population
88.3%
Fertility Rate
1.77 births/woman
Internet Users
69.5%
Under 15
20.8%
Over 65
10.8%
Age Distribution
0-14 years
12K
15-64 years
39K
65+ years
6K
Urbanization
Greenland is overwhelmingly urban: an estimated 88.3% of the population lives in cities, one of the highest rates in the world. Nuuk serves as the administrative heart of the country and concentrates much of its commercial and civic life. Extremely low population density means that settlements are widely dispersed, raising logistical hurdles for infrastructure and public service delivery.
49,938
88.3%
6,604
11.7%
Health & Education Indicators
Average life expectancy of 71.5 years is roughly in line with the global benchmark of 72.8. Internet penetration of 69.5% is roughly in line with the global average, influencing access to information, education, and digital services.
Life Expectancy
World avg: 72.8
Fertility Rate
World avg: 2.3
Internet Users
World avg: 63
Population Projections (2026-2050)
Near-zero growth suggests that Greenland is entering a period of demographic stability—or, depending on policy responses, the early stages of decline. Below-replacement fertility of 1.8 births per woman means natural growth alone cannot sustain the current population level indefinitely. The territory's governance arrangements will influence how effectively it adapts to evolving population dynamics.
| Year | Projected Population |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 56,542 |
| 2030 | 58,545 |
| 2035 | 61,121 |
| 2040 | 63,780 |
| 2045 | 66,530 |
| 2050 | 69,375 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Greenland?
The population of Greenland is approximately 56,542 as of 2026, making it #209 in the world by population.
What is the capital of Greenland?
The capital of Greenland is Nuuk.
What languages are spoken in Greenland?
The main languages spoken in Greenland are Greenlandic.
How big is Greenland?
Greenland covers an area of 2,166,086 km² with a population density of 0 people per km².
Is Greenland growing or shrinking?
Greenland is growing at a rate of 0.88% per year, adding approximately 498 people annually.
What is the life expectancy in Greenland?
The average life expectancy in Greenland is 71.5 years.
What is the GDP per capita of Greenland?
The GDP per capita of Greenland is $58,499.