Government pledges to boost Greenlandic civil society in Denmark

Report sheds some morose light on the vulnerable community

The government has unveiled plans to strengthen the civil society of one of Denmark’s most vulnerable groups: the Greenlandic community.

The decision comes in the wake of a new report from the national welfare research centre SFi that shows that many Greenlanders have difficulty taking care of themselves in Denmark.

“Despite many Greenlanders in Denmark doing fine, it hurts to see so many settle here,” said the social and internal affairs minister, Karen Ellemann. “So it’s important that those who are in the risk group are taken care of immediately upon arrival to Denmark.”

“We are lucky to have a strong and passionate Greenlandic civil society in Denmark that works hard to help those who have moved here, and we must support them. We’ve promised to help and we will.”

READ MORE: More homeless people in Denmark

Vulnerable group
The SFi report (here in Danish) revealed that just 35 percent off Greenlanders aged 25-60 and living in Denmark have a job – a huge contrast to the 80 percent of Danes in the same age group.

The findings also revealed that a higher percentage of Greenlanders received social benefits, were homeless and were treated for alcohol abuse than Danes.

The report also included a progress analysis of 221 Greenlanders who arrived in Denmark in 2007. The analysis investigated their development until 2012 and found that their situation didn’t improve after spending five years in Denmark.




  • One in five in Denmark struggles with unexpected expenses

    One in five in Denmark struggles with unexpected expenses

    One in every five in Denmark can’t afford unexpected expenses, while one in every ten has experienced at least one of the indicators of economic vulnerability

  • Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    Danish Intelligence Service: Threat from Russia has intensified

    In the internal Danish waters, Russia will be able to attack underwater infrastructure from all types of vessels. The target could be cables with data, electricity and gas, assesses the Danish Defense Intelligence Service

  • This is how skiing brought together Ukrainian and Danish kids

    This is how skiing brought together Ukrainian and Danish kids

    Jakob Bendsen, a Danish entrepreneur, organizes ski camps for Ukrainian and Danish children to promote integration and healing. The initiative helps children escape war trauma, build friendships, and develop independence

  • “Copenhagen used to be the cool guy in class… not anymore”

    “Copenhagen used to be the cool guy in class… not anymore”

    The Copenhagen Post met with urban planner and TV host Mikael Colville-Andersen for a discussion about where the future will take the city. Colville-Andersen has hosted several shows on urban planning, including Det fantastiske byliv on DR-Tv.com and his YouTube channel, Life-Sized Cities.

  • Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    Denmark to explore screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic sentiments

    A few weeks after Alex Vanopslagh’s comments about “right values,” the government announced that an expert committee would be established to examine the feasibility of screening citizenship applicants for anti-democratic attitudes.

  • The Future Copenhagen

    The Future Copenhagen

    The municipality plan encompasses building 40,000 houses by 2036 in order to help drive real estate prices down. But this is not the only huge project that will change the shape of the city: Lynetteholmen, M5 metro line, the Eastern Ring Road, and Jernbanebyen will transform Copenhagen into something different from what we know today