Foreign-born Greenlanders up by 25.5% – but overall population stability hides deeper trends
New population figures from Statistics Greenland have been released today, highlighting significant demographic shifts. While the total population has remained relatively stable from 2015 to 2025, the number of foreign-born individuals with two Greenland-born parents has increased by 25.5% over the past decade. At the same time, the number of Greenland-born individuals with Greenlandic ancestry is declining, pointing to changes that could shape Greenland’s future. What are the key trends behind these numbers? Let’s take a closer look.
The Greenlandic population in 2025 is still dominated by individuals born in Greenland with two Greenland-born parents (81%), making up the vast majority. Foreign-born individuals with two foreign-born parents (10%) form the second-largest group, reflecting increased immigration. Other categories, including those with mixed parentage or foreign-born Greenlandic ancestry, each represent between 1% and 6% of the population. This distribution highlights both demographic stability and gradual diversification.
Key Trends: Who Is Growing, Who Is Declining?
The slight decline in Greenland-born individuals with Greenland-born parents (A) The largest group in Greenland’s population—those born in Greenland to two Greenland-born parents—has declined by 1,037 people (-2.2%). This drop suggests either lower birth rates, emigration, or both. This trend aligns with broader challenges in Arctic communities, where young people move abroad for education and work opportunities.
While most of Greenland’s population is still born in Greenland to Greenlandic parents, the rest is evolving. Immigration is increasing, while some mixed-background groups are declining, reflecting shifting family migration patterns. The largest relative growth is among foreign-born individuals with Greenlandic parents, suggesting more Greenlanders are having children abroad and later returning. We now take a closer look at those not born in Greenland to Greenlandic parents.
Increase in foreign-born individuals with two foreign-born parents (B) This group has grown by 913 individuals (+19.4%), making it the fastest-growing major category. This suggests increased immigration, possibly due to Greenland’s need for foreign labor in sectors like mining, tourism, and infrastructure. As Greenland becomes more integrated into the global economy, this trend is likely to continue.
Moderate decline in Greenland-born individuals with two foreign-born parents (C) This group has decreased by 5.6%, though the absolute numbers remain small and there is not a clear trend in the data.
Drop in foreign-born individuals with one Greenland-born parent (E) With a 3.5% decrease, this category suggests fewer Greenlanders are having children abroad or that these children are not returning to Greenland in significant numbers. This could be due to economic factors, education opportunities, or family migration patterns.
Slight decline in Greenland-born individuals with one foreign-born parent (F) This group has shrunk by 1.8%, possibly due to similar reasons as category C—a shift in how mixed-background families settle in Greenland. However, the decline is relatively small, indicating relative stability.
Foreign-born individuals with two Greenland-born parents (G) see the biggest percentage rise Despite being a small group, this category has grown by 25.5%—the largest percentage increase among all categories. This suggests more Greenlandic parents are having children abroad and later returning. Whether this reflects temporary migration for education, work, or healthcare is worth further investigation.
What Do These Trends Tell Us About Greenland’s Future?
🌍 Greenland is becoming more internationally connected. The rising number of foreign-born individuals (B) suggests Greenland’s labor market is attracting more non-native workers. This could be a sign of economic diversification and integration with other countries (most likely Denmark).
⚠ Aging and migration could reshape Greenland’s demographic structure. The decline in category A (Greenland-born individuals with Greenland-born parents) raises concerns about long-term population sustainability. If birth rates remain low and emigration continues, Greenland may face significant demographic challenges in the future.
🏡 Family migration patterns are shifting. The growth in category G suggests that more Greenlandic-born parents are having children abroad. Whether these families return permanently or maintain transnational ties will influence Greenland’s cultural and economic landscape.
Final Thoughts
Greenland’s demographic future is evolving. While the total numbers remain relatively stable, the composition of the population is shifting in ways that policymakers, businesses, and communities must anticipate and adapt to.
📊 Want to explore the data yourself? Check out the latest population figures on Statistics Greenland!
Would you like to dive deeper into specific policy implications or economic factors driving these changes? Let us know! 😊
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