Relationship dossier
Denmark
Greenland
Relationship assessment
Extensive Greenlandic self-government within a close constitutional partnership, alongside continuing debate over independence and reserved powers.
Denmark toward Greenland
+45Denmark’s relationship with Greenland is structured by the 2009 Self-Government Act, which devolves substantial authority and provides for an annual Danish block grant. Denmark retains responsibility for specified matters, including defence and parts of foreign affairs, within the Kingdom’s constitutional framework.
Greenland toward Denmark
+35Greenland’s government exercises the devolved powers established under the 2009 Self-Government Act and participates in the Kingdom’s arrangements with Denmark. Greenlandic governments have also pursued greater autonomy, with independence remaining a stated political objective for some administrations.
Overall relationship
+40The relationship is a durable constitutional partnership combining extensive devolved government, Danish financial support, and shared arrangements for matters retained at Kingdom level. These structures sustain practical cooperation, while disagreements over the distribution of authority and Greenland’s possible independence remain important features.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Denmark and Greenland are connected through the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland’s extensive self-government. The 2009 Self-Government Act sets out devolved authority and financial arrangements, while Denmark retains responsibility for areas including defence and parts of foreign affairs. Their constitutional partnership entails sustained cooperation alongside continuing debate over Greenlandic independence and the division of authority.
Areas of tension
- Greenland’s possible independence and the timing and conditions for any change in constitutional status.
- The division of responsibilities between Greenlandic and Danish authorities, particularly in foreign affairs and defence.
Key developments
Greenland obtained home rule within the Kingdom of Denmark.
The Self-Government Act established expanded Greenlandic self-government and set out financial and constitutional arrangements with Denmark.
Major uncertainties
- The practical scope of coordination on foreign affairs and other reserved matters varies by issue.
- The timetable and terms of any future change to Greenland’s constitutional status remain unsettled.