Greenland stats 2012

January 21, 2013

The Greenland Government has released a statistical report for 2012. A few highlights are noted.

• Population 56,749. Largest city Nuuk 16,181. The population has not changed in a decade. Net out migration counters any natural increase in population.
• Fertility rate 2.26 per woman aged 15-49 years (2010). This compares with Canada 1.59.
• The national holiday is 21 June (the longest day of the year) (how appropos)
• Greenland was in the EU from From 1 January 1973 until 1 February 1985, then dropped out.
• GDP 11.3 DKK billion (provisional figure for 2010 in 2005 prices) which is about $2 B.
• Economic growth rate 1.2 per cent from 2009 to 2010 (provisional figure). Pretty anemic.
• Unemployed 2,794 persons affected by unemployment on average per month (2011) out of a labour force of 40,156 persons of 15-64 years of age. Say 7%.
• # of mobile phones 55,816 (2008)—one per person ( even babies use them !)
• Largest employer - public administration- 11,500.
• Growing industries: real estate, finance,business services and construction. Stagnant: fishing, mining, hotels.
• Air passengers growing from 340,794 in 2005 to 417,396 in 2009. Ship passengers declined from 91,230 to 26,109 for the same years.
• Denmark makes up 1/2 of Greenland’s 213,656 visitor overnight stays. Canada had 4,700 and is growing.
• Mineral exploration expenditures were $93 M in 2010. By Canadian standards this would be low and not very good. The Government of Greenland uses a permitting system that is different from the free range staking system used in Canada and the US. The government may grant authorizations for prospecting, exploration, and exploitation of raw materials to companies having the expertise and financial background for these activities.
• Geographically speaking, Greenland is part of the North American continent but geo-politically a part of Europe. Greenland is a mountainous country and the largest island of the world with a total area of 2,166,086 km2. Of this area, 85 per cent is covered with ice, while the rest is ice-free. The further north, the colder, drier, and less windy it is. July is the warmest month while February and March are the coldest.

Commentary

Interesting to learn more about Greenland.

Sources

• a)http://www.stat.gl/dialog/main.asp?lang=en&theme=Greenland%20in%20Figures&link=GF