The total population count is over the next 20 years projected to decline from todays 56,370 persons to 56.000 in 2020 and 55.000 in 2030. In 2040 there will be 2.500 fewer people in Greenland than today, if no unexpected changes in fertility, mortality and migration occur. Over the 27 years the population's average age will increase to 37,9 years from 34,7 today. The population continues to be younger than, say Danish population where the average age today is approx. 40 years.

 

Table 1. The Population’s age distribution 1983-2040, selected years

 

1983

1993

2003

2013

2023

2033

2040

 

                                                                    persons                                                                  

Total

         51.903

         55.117

         56.676

         56.370

         55.902

         54.838

         53.856

0-6

           6.447

           7.760

           6.485

           5.605

           5.784

           5.370

           5.164

7-16

           9.953

           8.582

         10.140

           8.141

           7.725

           7.669

           7.296

17-24

           9.842

           6.271

           6.049

           7.343

           6.030

           5.767

           5.677

25-59

         22.768

         28.668

         28.990

         28.704

         27.419

         25.499

         25.137

60-69

           1.788

           2.593

           3.315

           4.224

           5.845

           5.931

           4.951

70+

           1.105

           1.243

           1.697

           2.353

           3.099

           4.602

           5.631

 

                                                                     percent                                                                  

0-6

12,4

14,1

11,4

9,9

10,3

9,8

9,6

7-16

19,2

15,6

17,9

14,4

13,8

14,0

13,5

17-24

19,0

11,4

10,7

13,0

10,8

10,5

10,5

25-59

43,9

52,0

51,2

50,9

49,0

46,5

46,7

60-69

3,4

4,7

5,8

7,5

10,5

10,8

9,2

70+

2,1

2,3

3,0

4,2

5,5

8,4

10,5

See figures in our Statbank ( http://bank.stat.gl/beep2013 )

 

Over the projection period, the share of elderly people (70 +) will be doubled and in 2040 represent an equally large proportion of the population as the 0-6 year olds do today. The population in working age will fall, but still constitute about half the population.

 

These are the main results of the projection of the Greenlandic population, based on the population count January 1st 2013 and experiences from vital statistics 2003-2012 .

 

Detailed calculation results by sex, 1 year age groups and place of birth can be found in our Statbank http://bank.stat.gl/benp2013