Sermersooq Municipality

Sermersooq is Greenland's most populous municipality (23,500 residents) and largest by area (531,900 km²), containing Nuuk—the world's northernmost capital at 64°11' N. Nuuk's population of 19,872 (January 2024) represents 35.2% of Greenland's total, growing from 14,710 in 2004 as internal migration concentrates opportunity in the capital. A new international airport opened in November 2024, transforming Nuuk into Air Greenland's hub and enabling direct overseas flights that previously required Danish connections. The municipality hosts the Greenlandic parliament (Inatsisartut), government ministries, and the University of Greenland. Approximately 18% of Sermersooq's population was born outside Greenland (2024), reflecting imported labor demand. Median annual income of ~300,000 DKK is Greenland's highest, driven by public sector employment (40%+ of workforce), fishing industry (15%), and growing service economy. The municipality embodies Greenland's independence paradox: ambitious enough to build international infrastructure, yet still dependent on Denmark's $565 million annual subsidy. Newly elected Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen declared Greenland 'open for business'—but whether Sermersooq's economy can generate sovereignty without the parent state's fiscal support remains the central question.