Greenland Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Greenland
US State Department Travel Advisory
Exercise Increased Caution
Updated October 29, 2024
Greenland recorded 5.3 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2016, a rate that is moderate by global standards. That places Greenland #65 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Americas average of 20.8 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 62% over the past decade (from 14.1 in 2006). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Greenland at Level 2 of 4: Exercise Increased Caution.
Homicide Rate
5.3 /100k
Safety Rank
#131 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 2 of 4
Data Year
2016
Homicide Rate Trend (1992-2016)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 62% over the past decade (from 14.1 in 2006). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Greenland Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Greenland:
Updated to reflect a new separate travel advisory from the Kingdom of Denmark. Exercise increased caution in Greenland due to environmental hazards posed by extreme weather conditions and limited emergency services. Country Summary: The U.S. government's ability to provide consular services to U.S. citizens in Greenland is extremely limited. Greenland's landscape includes vast stretches of territory remote from cities and settlements.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Greenland Population & Demographics
Population of 56,836, growth trends, economy, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Greenland safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Greenland at Level 2 of 4 (Exercise Increased Caution). The homicide rate of 5.3 per 100,000 is moderate by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Greenland?
Greenland has an intentional homicide rate of 5.3 per 100,000 people (2016, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #65 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Greenland?
Greenland is currently at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Greenland compare to other countries?
Greenland's homicide rate of 5.3 per 100,000 is above the world average of 5.2 and below the Americas average of 20.8.