MigrantoGreenlandic Diaspora
18.5K Greenlanders live abroad — 33% of the population of Greenland
Greenlandic diaspora by country
The top 3 countries are home to 98% of the diaspora
| Country | Emigrants |
|---|---|
| Denmark | 17364 |
| Guatemala | 470 |
| Norway | 311 |
| Faroe Islands | 207 |
| Iceland | 124 |
| Costa Rica | 11 |
| Slovakia | 2 |
| Bulgaria | 1 |
| Hungary | 1 |
| Latvia | 0 |
| Greece | 0 |
| Cuba | 0 |
By region
97% of the diaspora lives in Europe
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Key facts
The Greenlandic diaspora in numbers
1 in 3 people born in Greenland lives abroad
18.5K people born in Greenland now live in other countries — 32.5% of a population of 56.8K.
Greenlandic diaspora population over time
People living abroad, by year
| Year | Emigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 10313 |
| 1995 | 11442 |
| 2000 | 12905 |
| 2005 | 13706 |
| 2010 | 15437 |
| 2015 | 16944 |
| 2020 | 17726 |
| 2024 | 18491 |
Largest communities over time
Greenlanders living in the 5 largest countries, by year
| Year | Denmark | Guatemala | Norway | Faroe Islands | Iceland |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 9538 | 269 | 123 | 137 | 35 |
| 1995 | 10733 | 261 | 155 | 92 | 38 |
| 2000 | 12091 | 252 | 184 | 102 | 40 |
| 2005 | 12969 | 299 | 212 | 134 | 53 |
| 2010 | 14610 | 346 | 255 | 143 | 64 |
| 2015 | 16037 | 380 | 296 | 150 | 65 |
| 2020 | 16750 | 427 | 280 | 174 | 82 |
| 2024 | 17364 | 470 | 311 | 207 | 124 |
Fastest-changing communities
How the number of Greenlanders in each country has changed since the selected year
Greenlanders among immigrants in other countries
Where Greenlanders make up the largest share of a country's immigrants
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many Greenlanders live outside Greenland?
Around 18.5K Greenlanders live abroad, the world's #182 largest diaspora.
Where do most Greenlanders abroad live?
Most Greenlanders live in Denmark, Guatemala and Norway — these three countries account for about 98% of all Greenlanders living abroad.
Which country has the largest Greenlandic population outside Greenland?
Denmark is home to the largest Greenlandic community abroad — 17.4K people, about 94% of all Greenlanders living abroad.
What share of the population of Greenland lives abroad?
About 33% of the population of Greenland lives abroad — that's 18.5K out of a total population of 56.8K.
Is the Greenlandic diaspora growing?
Yes — over the past decade, the number of Greenlanders living abroad has grown from 16.9K to 18.5K, about 9%.
Where does the data on the Greenlandic diaspora come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born in Greenland who now live in other countries. Descendants of emigrants born abroad are not included.
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Living in Greenland
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