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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 (2015)

Internet country code [time series]

.gl

Internet users [time series]

total: 39,544 | percent of population: 68.5% (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 192

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: adequate domestic and international service provided by satellite, cables, and microwave radio relay; totally digital since 1995 | domestic: microwave radio relay and satellite; the fundamental telecommunications infrastructure consists of a digital radio link from Nanortalik in south Greenland to Uummannaq in north Greenland; satellites cover north and east Greenland for domestic and foreign telecommunications; a marine cable connects south and west Greenland to the rest of the world, extending from Nuuk and Qaqortoq to Canada and Iceland | international: country code - 299; satellite earth stations - 15 (12 Intelsat, 1 Eutelsat, 2 Americom GE-2 (all Atlantic Ocean)) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 16,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 61,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 200

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

sheep, cow, reindeer, fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.578 billion | expenditures: $1.876 billion (2014 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-13.5% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 207

Central bank discount rate [time series]

NA%

Debt - external [time series]

$36.4 million (2010) | $58 million (2009) | country comparison to the world: 197

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

33.9 (2015 est.) | 34.3 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 103

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 fluctuations in world demand. 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. In 2016 the economy grew 4.6% compared to 1.1% in 2015 and negative growth in the years 2013-14. For 2017 the economy is expected to continue to expand at a more subdued rate. 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, where the harbor is being enlarged and a prison is under construction. Private consumption and tourism also are contributing to GDP growth more than in previous years. Tourism in Greenland has grown 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 Home 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. Catches in fisheries have been declining in recent years. Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices and currently only three mines are under development. The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed.

Exchange rates [time series]

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - | 6.7309 (2016) | 6.7309 (2015) | 6.7236 (2014 est.) | 5.6125 (2013 est.) | 5.79 (2012 est.)

Exports [time series]

$407.1 million (2015 est.) | $599.7 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 178

Exports - commodities [time series]

fish and fish products 91% (2015 est.)

Exports - partners [time series]

Denmark 81.2%, Portugal 8.3% (2016)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.221 billion (2011 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$2.173 billion (2015 est.) | $2.137 billion (2014 est.) | $2.154 billion (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 193

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 15.9% | industry: 10.1% | services: 73.9% (2015)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$37,600 (2015 est.) | $37,000 (2014 est.) | $38,500 (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 49

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

1.7% (2015 est.) | -0.8% (2014 est.) | -3% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% | highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$783.5 million (2015 est.) | $866.1 million (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 185

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Denmark 72.2%, Sweden 9.8% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

fish processing (mainly shrimp and Greenland halibut); gold, zinc, anorthosite and ruby mining; handicrafts, hides and skins, small shipyards

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.3% (January 2017 est.) | 1.2% (January 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 60

Labor force [time series]

26,840 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 208

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 15.9% | industry: 10.1% | services: 73.9% (2015 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

16.2% (2015 est.)

Public debt [time series]

13% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

71% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 3

Unemployment rate [time series]

9.1% (2015 est.) | 10.3% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

520,400 Mt (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 179

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 142

Electricity - consumption [time series]

581.3 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 143

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

51.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 149

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

48.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 41

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

187,000 kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 165

Electricity - production [time series]

625 million kWh (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 162

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 187

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 113

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 132

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 142

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es) | country comparison to the world: 146

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

6,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 173

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 161

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

4,633 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 2,166,086 sq km | land: 2,166,086 sq km (410,449 sq km ice-free, 1,755,637 sq km ice-covered) | country comparison to the world: 13

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than three times the size of Texas

Climate [time series]

arctic to subarctic; cool summers, cold winters

Coastline [time series]

44,087 km

Elevation [time series]

mean elevation: 1,792 m | elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m | highest point: Gunnbjorn Fjeld 3,694 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

protection of the arctic environment; preservation of the Inuit traditional way of life, including whaling and seal hunting

Geographic coordinates [time series]

72 00 N, 40 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

dominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice sheet after that of Antarctica

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 0.6% | arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0.6% | forest: 0% | other: 99.4% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Arctic Region

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 3 nm | exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line | continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

Natural hazards [time series]

continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island

Natural resources [time series]

coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, molybdenum, diamonds, gold, platinum, niobium, tantalite, uranium, fish, seals, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]

settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

4 municipalities (kommuner, singular kommune); Kujalleq, Qaasuitsup, Qeqqata, Sermersooq | note: the North and East Greenland National Park (Avannaarsuani Tunumilu Nuna Allanngutsaaliugaq) 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

Capital [time series]

name: Nuuk (Godthaab) | geographic coordinates: 64 11 N, 51 45 W | time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) | daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October | note: Greenland has four time zones

Citizenship [time series]

see Denmark

Constitution [time series]

previous 1953 (Greenland established as a constituency in the Danish constitution), 1979 (Greenland Home Rule Act); latest 21 June 2009 (Greenland Self-Government Act) (2016)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none | conventional short form: Greenland | local long form: none | local short form: Kalaallit Nunaat | note: named by Norwegian adventurer Erik THORVALDSSON (Erik the Red) in A.D. 985 in order to entice settlers to the island

Dependency status [time series]

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); note - the US Embassy in Copenhagen has an office devoted to Greenland

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark): note - Greenland has an office in the Danish Embassy to the US; it also has offices in the Danish consulates of Chicago and New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Mikaela ENGELL (since April 2011) | head of government: Premier Kim KIELSEN (since 30 September 2014) | cabinet: Home Rule Government elected by the Parliament (Landsting) on the basis of the strength of parties | elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; premier indirectly elected by Parliament for a 4-year term | election results: Kim KIELSEN elected premier; Parliament vote - Kim KIELSEN (S) 34.3%, Sara OLSVIG (IA) 33.2%, Anda ULDUM (D) 11.8%, other 20.7%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and red with a large disk slightly to the hoist side of center - the top half of the disk is red, the bottom half is white; the design represents the sun reflecting off a field of ice; the colors are the same as those of the Danish flag and symbolize Greenland's links to the Kingdom of Denmark

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Greenland); part of the Kingdom of Denmark

Independence [time series]

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)

International organization participation [time series]

Arctic Council, ICC, NC, NIB, UPU

Judicial branch [time series]

highest court(s): High Court of Greenland (consists of the presiding professional judge and 2 lay assessors); note - appeals beyond the High Court of Greenland can be heard by the Supreme Court (in Copenhagen) | judge selection and term of 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

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

description: unicameral Parliament or Inatsisartut (Landsting) (31 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) | elections: last held on 28 November 2014 (next to be held by 2018) | election results: percent of vote by party - S 34.6%, IA 33.5%, D 11.9%, PN 11.7%, A 6.6%, other 1.7%; seats by party - S 11, IA 11, D 4, PN 3, A 2 | note: 2 representatives were elected to the Danish Parliament or Folketing on 18 June 2015 (next to be held by June 2019); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - S 1, IA 1 (2013)

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" ("Our Country, Who's Become So Old" also translated as "You Our Ancient Land") | lyrics/music: Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN | note: adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem

National holiday [time series]

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

National symbol(s) [time series]

polar bear; national colors: red, white

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democrats Party or D (Demokraatit) [Randi VESTERGAARD EVALDSEN] | Forward Party or S (Siumut) [Kim KIELSEN] | Inuit Community or IA (Inuit Ataqatigiit) [Sara OLSVIG] | Inuit Party or PI (Partii Inuit) [Nikku OLSEN] | Partii Naleraq or PN [Hans ENOKSEN] | Solidarity Party or A (Atassut) [Siverth Karl HEILMANN]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

conservationists; environmentalists; independence activists

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Greenland, the world's largest island, is about 81% ice-capped. Vikings reached the island in the 10th century from Iceland; Danish colonization began in the 18th century, and Greenland became an integral part of the Danish Realm in 1953. It joined the European Community (now the EU) with Denmark in 1973 but withdrew in 1985 over a dispute centered on stringent fishing quotas. Greenland remains a member of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the EU. Greenland was granted self-government in 1979 by the Danish parliament; the law went into effect the following year. Greenland voted in favor of increased self-rule in November 2008 and acquired greater responsibility for internal affairs when the Act on Greenland Self-Government was signed into law in June 2009. Denmark, however, continues to exercise control over several policy areas on behalf of Greenland, including foreign affairs, security, and financial policy in consultation with Greenland's Self-Rule Government.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces or conscription; the Government of Denmark has responsibility for defense; as such the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk is responsible for territorial defense of Greenland (2016)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21.11% (male 6,195/female 5,986) | 15-24 years: 15.48% (male 4,506/female 4,429) | 25-54 years: 41.21% (male 12,473/female 11,309) | 55-64 years: 12.96% (male 4,112/female 3,370) | 65 years and over: 9.24% (male 2,862/female 2,471) (2017 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

14.4 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133

Death rate [time series]

8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 71

Drinking water source [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Inuit 88%, Danish and other 12% (2010 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Hospital bed density [time series]

8.2 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148

Languages [time series]

Greenlandic (East Inuit) (official), Danish (official), English

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 72.6 years | male: 69.9 years | female: 75.5 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 100% | male: 100% | female: 100% (2015 est.)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

NUUK (capital) 17,000 (2014)

Median age [time series]

total: 33.9 years | male: 35 years | female: 32.7 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 87

Nationality [time series]

noun: Greenlander(s) | adjective: Greenlandic

Net migration rate [time series]

-6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 198

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

1.73 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population [time series]

57,713 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Population distribution [time series]

settlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.03% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 199

Religions [time series]

Evangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs

Sanitation facility access [time series]

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.99 children born/woman (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 87.2% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: 0.27% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

managed dispute between Canada and Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Canada's Ellesmere Island and Greenland; Denmark (Greenland) and Norway have made submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and Russia is collecting additional data to augment its 2001 CLCS submission

Transportation

Airports [time series]

15 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 147

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 10 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 | under 914 m: 6 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 5 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | 914 to 1,523 m: 2 | under 914 m: 2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

OY-H (2016)

Merchant marine [time series]

registered in other countries: 1 (Denmark 1) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 156

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 1 (registered in Denmark) | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8 (registered in Denmark) (2015)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Sisimiut

Roadways [time series]

note: although there are short roads in towns, there are no roads between towns; inter-urban transport is either by sea or by air (2015)