Greenland is one of the most remote and sparsely populated places on Earth, known for its Arctic climate, small towns, and limited economic sectors. Despite this, Filipinos and Thais make up a noticeable share of Greenland’s foreign workforce.
Their big presence obviously often surprises outsiders, given the long distance and harsh environment.
Yet, as with many migration stories, this pattern is the result of practical economic needs, global labor mobility, and the gradual formation of migrant networks that connect Southeast Asia to the Arctic.
Labor Shortages
Greenland has a very small population spread across vast distances, which creates persistent labor shortages. Many local residents are already employed in traditional sectors such as fishing, hunting, and public administration.
As Greenland’s economy expanded modestly in areas like fisheries, food processing, cleaning, hospitality, and service work, employers struggled to recruit enough workers locally.
This shortage opened opportunities for foreign labor, especially from countries with established overseas employment cultures like the Philippines and Thailand.
The Central Role of the Fishing Industry
The fishing and seafood processing industry is the backbone of Greenland’s economy and a major reason for Southeast Asian migration. Fish factories require steady, reliable labor for processing, packing, and quality control.
These jobs are often physically demanding and located in small coastal settlements where local labor is scarce.
Filipino and Thai workers filled these roles, often arriving through recruitment agencies or employer sponsorships. Their willingness to work in challenging conditions made them essential to keeping these industries running.
But Why Filipinos and Thais in Particular?
The Philippines and Thailand both have long histories of labor migration, supported by government systems, recruitment agencies, and social norms that view overseas work as a respectable and practical path.
Workers from both countries are often perceived by employers as adaptable, disciplined, and accustomed to working abroad.
Filipinos, in particular, are valued for their English proficiency, which helps in multinational workplaces. Thais, meanwhile, gained a foothold early in fish processing, which led to further recruitment from the same communities.
Chain Migration and Community Formation
Once the first groups of Filipino and Thai workers settled in Greenland, chain migration began to take shape. New arrivals often came through personal connections, such as relatives, friends, or referrals from coworkers already employed in Greenland.
These informal networks helped newcomers navigate contracts, housing, and daily life in an unfamiliar environment. Over time, this created small but stable communities, making Greenland a known destination within specific regions of the Philippines and Thailand.
Marriage Migration and Long-Term Settlement
Marriage also played a role, particularly among Thai migrants. Some Thai women formed relationships with Greenlandic men, leading to permanent residence and family formation.
These marriages strengthened long-term settlement and tied migrants more deeply into local society.
Filipino migrants are more often single workers or family breadwinners, but family reunification has also contributed to a growing sense of permanence rather than temporary labor circulation.
Economic Incentives Despite High Living Costs
Although Greenland has a high cost of living, wages are significantly higher than what many workers could earn at home. Even after expenses, the ability to send remittances remains a powerful motivation.
Earnings from Greenland can support families, education, housing, and small businesses in the Philippines or Thailand. For many migrants, enduring cold weather, isolation, and cultural distance is a calculated trade-off for financial stability and opportunity.
Adaptation to Harsh Environment
Living in Greenland presents unique challenges, including extreme cold, long winters, and geographic isolation.
Filipino and Thai migrants often rely heavily on community support, shared housing, and cultural practices such as food and religious gatherings to cope with these conditions.
Over time, many adapt to the rhythm of life, learning basic Greenlandic or Danish and integrating into local workplaces, even if full social integration remains gradual.
Visibility and Cultural Impact
Despite their small numbers in absolute terms, Filipinos and Thais are highly visible in Greenlandic towns due to the country’s small population.
Asian grocery items, informal community gatherings, and Southeast Asian cuisine have become familiar features in some areas.
Their contribution to essential industries has also shaped local perceptions, with many Greenlanders viewing them as indispensable workers rather than temporary outsiders.
From Southeast Asia to the Arctic
The presence of many Filipinos and Thais in Greenland demonstrates how global labor migration reaches even the most remote corners of the world. Economic necessity, labor shortages, and human networks connected Southeast Asia to the Arctic in unexpected ways.
What began as a practical solution to workforce gaps evolved into lasting communities, showing that migration is less about geography and more about opportunity, connection, and the search for a better life.
