US statements make Greenlanders worried and uneasy
The American president’s statements about taking over Greenland have created insecurity in the population and caused quality of life to decline markedly. At the same time, more people are experiencing signs of mental distress, a new study shows.
The study was conducted in January and February this year by the Centre for Public Health in Greenland in collaboration with Ilisimatusarfik – the University of Greenland. It indicates that most Greenlanders are affected by the American statements, and that an increased number are showing symptoms of mental distress.
“We see a marked decline in the population’s mental health and well-being compared with previous studies. Compared with last year alone, far more people are now experiencing poor mental well-being and lower quality of life,” says Professor Peter Bjerregaard from the Centre for Public Health in Greenland, one of the researchers behind the study.
76 percent of the population state that they experience a moderate or high level of concern in connection with the American president’s statements about Greenland. 82 percent experience that the concerns affect their everyday life. At the same time, 31 percent show symptoms of mental distress. By comparison, this applied to 7 percent in a population survey from 2025.
Experienced quality of life has also declined. Today, 64 percent state that they have a high quality of life – compared with 84 percent last year.
According to the researchers, the results are worrying, but not surprising. This is stated by research coordinator Ingelise Olesen, Centre for Public Health in Greenland and University of Greenland.
“It is well known in Greenland that the USA’s statements about taking control of the country create uncertainty and insecurity. It is a tense situation that occupies a lot of space in everyday life and in the media. Many have already expressed their concerns, so the results confirm the picture we have seen and the impression we have had,” she says.
An escalating diplomatic conflict
The study is based on an online questionnaire that was distributed via social media from the end of January to mid-February. The period was characterised by intense international attention and an escalating diplomatic conflict between the USA, Greenland and Denmark.
On 21 January 2026, the attention culminated at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the American president maintained that American control over Greenland was necessary for security reasons – but without wanting to use military force.
However, not everyone is concerned. One in four Greenlanders state that they are less concerned or not concerned at all. They instead focus on thinking positively and engaging in activities that distract their thoughts.
Provides a snapshot
All persons in Greenland aged 15 and above could complete the questionnaire. A total of 308 people participated. Most responses come from Nuuk, which according to the researchers may be related to greater proximity to the political and international events than in the rest of the country. However, all municipalities and several smaller communities are represented.
According to Peter Bjerregaard, the study provides a rare snapshot of how a high-tension geopolitical conflict is experienced up close.
“It shows how quickly concerns and uncertainty can spread and affect many people’s everyday lives,” he says.
The results can therefore, according to Peter Bjerregaard, help to qualify the public debate about Greenland.
Contact:
Professor Peter Bjerregaard, e-mail: pb@sdu.dk, tel.: +45 4012 7585, Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, SDU.
Research coordinator Ingelise Olesen, e-mail: uniiole@uni.gl, tel.: +299 564640, Centre for Public Health in Greenland, National Institute of Public Health, SDU, and University of Greenland.