Three population studies of more than 4,000 Greenlanders found a notably high prevalence of diabetes (9% in 1999-2001 rising to 16% in 2018) in the adult population. In this review, we argue that this is due to genetic factors, rapid social changes, ageing of the population and changes in diet and physical activity. A national diabetes programme was implemented in 2008, aiming to improve care for patients with diabetes in Greenland. As a result of this, diagnostic activity and quality of diabetes care have improved. The incidence of diabetic complications is comparable to the one of western countries, but this notion warrants further studies.