Quick facts
Greenland population overview
Greenland is the 31st most populous of 41 countries and territories in North America. The United Nations put the population at 56,505 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.2% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 0 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 723 births (12.8 per 1,000 people) and 599 deaths (10.6 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 254 people. The infant mortality rate is 9.2 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 32,500 in 1960 to 56,831 in 2025 — a change of +74.9%, or +0.9% per year on average. It peaked at 56,935 in 2005 and has declined 0.9% since.
Demographically, the median age is 35.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 70.4 years; women have on average 1.7 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 20.7% of residents are under 15 and 11.5% are 65 or older (2025); 88.6% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Nuuk. Greenland covers 410,450 km², giving a population density of about 0.1 people per km². GDP was $3.33B in 2023 — about $58,499 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Greenland population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 56,401 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 56,505 |
| World rank | #211 of 238 |
| Rank in North America | #31 of 41 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.2% |
| Births per year est. | 723 |
| Deaths per year est. | 599 |
| Net migration per year est. | -254 |
| Birth rate | 12.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 10.6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 9.2 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 110.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 35.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 70.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.7 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 88.6% |
| Surface area 2023 | 410,450 km² |
| Population density | 0.1 per km² |
| Capital | Nuuk |
| GDP (current US$) 2023 | $3.33B |
| GDP per capita 2023 | $58,499 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Greenland population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 56,401 | – | – |
| 2025 | 56,831 | -5 | 0% |
| 2024 | 56,836 | -29 | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 56,865 | +204 | +0.4% |
| 2022 | 56,661 | +8 | +0% |
| 2021 | 56,653 | +286 | +0.5% |
| 2020 | 56,367 | +253 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 56,114 | -420 | -0.1% |
| 2010 | 56,534 | -401 | -0.1% |
| 2005 | 56,935 | +750 | +0.3% |
| 2000 | 56,185 | +385 | +0.1% |
| 1995 | 55,800 | +200 | +0.1% |
| 1990 | 55,600 | +2,400 | +0.9% |
| 1985 | 53,200 | +3,000 | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 50,200 | +600 | +0.2% |
| 1975 | 49,600 | +3,200 | +1.3% |
| 1970 | 46,400 | +7,200 | +3.4% |
| 1965 | 39,200 | +6,700 | +3.8% |
| 1960 | 32,500 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Greenland
Population over time
- From 32,500 in 1960 to 56,401 today — up 73.5%.
- Population peaked at 56,935 in 2005 and is down 0.9% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.1% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 70.3 years (2024), up 11.7 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.7 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 12 births vs 9.3 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 2.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 20.7% of the population is under 15 and 11.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0.59 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 0.68 Mt in 2011 — down 13% since.
- Per person: 10.45 t in 2024, vs 0.02 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 11.7% of final energy in 2022 (+11.2 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 0% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 88.6% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 58.3% in 1960 (+30.3 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Economy
- GDP: $3.33B in 2023.
- Nominal GDP is up 23.9% since 2013.
- That works out to $58,499 per person.
Internet & mobile
- 69.5% of people used the internet in 2017.
- Mobile subscriptions: 118.6 per 100 people (2022) — more subscriptions than people.
Greenland in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Greenland in 2026?
As of October 2026, Greenland has an estimated population of 56,401. The United Nations estimated 56,505 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.2% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Greenland growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.2% per year — roughly 0 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 723 births and 599 deaths, with net migration of -254.
What is the population density of Greenland?
About 0.1 people per square kilometre: 56,401 people living on 410,450 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Greenland?
The median age is 35.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 70.4 years. 20.7% of the population is under 15 and 11.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Greenland rank by population?
Greenland is the 211th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 31st in North America, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of Greenland changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 32,500; by 2025 it had grown to 56,831 (+74.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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BermudaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.2%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.