Greenland Rate of Natural Increase

Greenland’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between its crude birth rate and crude death rate—is relatively low, reflecting both a modest birth rate and a small, aging population. As of recent years, Greenland’s RNI hovers close to zero or is slightly positive, indicating very slow natural population growth. In contrast, neighboring countries such as Iceland and Canada typically exhibit higher RNIs, driven by comparatively higher birth rates and younger populations. Denmark, which Greenland is politically associated with, has an RNI similar to Greenland’s, both facing challenges of low fertility and aging demographics. Meanwhile, the Faroe Islands, another North Atlantic neighbor, often show a more robust RNI due to higher fertility rates. Overall, Greenland’s slow population growth through natural increase sets it apart from some of its neighbors, underlining demographic challenges shared with other Arctic and Nordic regions.

Data from US Census International Database