Introduction
Background
The Faroe Islands were already populated by about A.D. 500, but whether the original settlers were Celtic or early Norse (or someone else) has yet to be determined. Viking settlers arrived on the islands in the 9th century, and the islands served as an important stepping stone for medieval Viking exploration of the North Atlantic. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century, and today the Faroe Islands are a self-governing dependency of Denmark. The Home Rule Act of 1948 granted a high degree of self-government to the Faroese, who have autonomy over most internal affairs and external trade, while Denmark is responsible for justice, defense, and some foreign affairs. The Faroe Islands are not part of the European Union.
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Geography
Location
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway
Geographic coordinates
62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references
Europe
Area
total : 1,393 sq km
land: 1,393 sq km
water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
comparison ranking: total 182
Area - comparative
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries
total: 0 km
Coastline
1,117 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line
Climate
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural resources
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use
agricultural land: 2.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 0.1% (2018 est.)
other: 97.8% (2018 est.)
Population distribution
the island of Streymoy is by far the most populous with over 40% of the population; it has approximately twice as many inhabitants as Eysturoy, the second most populous island; seven of the inhabited islands have fewer than 100 people
Natural hazards
strong winds and heavy rains can occur throughout the year
Geography - note
archipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands
People and Society
Population
total: 52,933
male: 27,400
female: 25,533 (2024 est.)
comparison rankings: female 208; male 208; total 208
Nationality
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups
Faroese 83.8% (Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon descent), Danish 8.3%, Filipino 1.2%, other Nordic 0.9%, other 4.5% (includes Polish and Romanian) (2024 est.)
note: data represent respondents by country of birth
Languages
Faroese 93.8% (derived from Old Norse), Danish 3.2%, other 3% (2011 est.)
note: data represent population by primary language
Religions
Christian 87% (predominantly Evangelical Lutheran), other 0.9%, none 3.7%, unspecified 8.9% (2011 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 20% (male 5,489/female 5,122)
15-64 years: 61.5% (male 17,188/female 15,346)
65 years and over: 18.5% (2024 est.) (male 4,723/female 5,065)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 62.8
youth dependency ratio: 33.6
elderly dependency ratio: 29.1
potential support ratio: 3.4 (2021)
Median age
total: 36.8 years (2024 est.)
male: 36.9 years
female: 36.8 years
comparison ranking: total 86
Population distribution
the island of Streymoy is by far the most populous with over 40% of the population; it has approximately twice as many inhabitants as Eysturoy, the second most populous island; seven of the inhabited islands have fewer than 100 people
Urbanization
urban population: 43% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 171
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 81.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 79.2 years
female: 84.4 years
comparison ranking: total population 42
Gross reproduction rate
1.09 (2024 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020)
Physician density
2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Hospital bed density
4.2 beds/1,000 population (2016)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: NA
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: NA
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
34.8% (2023 est.)
Literacy
total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Environment
Environment - current issues
coastal erosion, landslides and rockfalls, flash flooding, wind storms; oil spills
Climate
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Land use
agricultural land: 2.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 0.1% (2018 est.)
other: 97.8% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 43% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.63 megatons (2016 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 61,000 tons (2014 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 40,870 tons (2012 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 67% (2012 est.)
Total renewable water resources
0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar
etymology: the archipelago's name may derive from the Old Norse word "faer," meaning sheep
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark
Dependency status
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Capital
name: Torshavn
geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 6 46 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: the meaning in Danish is "Thor's harbor"
Administrative divisions
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark; there are 29 first-order municipalities (kommunur, singular - kommuna) Eidhi, Eystur, Famjin, Fuglafjordhur, Fugloy, Hov, Husavik, Hvalba, Hvannasund, Klaksvik, Kunoy, Kvivik, Nes, Porkeri, Runavik, Sandur, Sjovar, Skalavik, Skopun, Skuvoy, Sorvagur, Sumba, Sunda, Torshavn, Tvoroyri, Vagar, Vagur, Vestmanna, Vidhareidhi
Independence
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday
Olaifest (Olavsoka) (commemorates the death in battle of King OLAF II of Norway, later St. OLAF), 29 July (1030)
Legal system
the laws of Denmark apply where applicable
Constitution
history: 5 June 1953 (Danish Constitution), 23 March 1948 (Home Rule Act), and 24 June 2005 (Takeover Act) serve as the Faroe Islands' constitutional position in the Unity of the Realm
amendments: see entry for Denmark
Citizenship
see Denmark
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: King FREDERIK X of Denmark (since 14 January 2024), represented by High Commissioner Lene Moyell JOHANSEN, chief administrative officer (since 15 May 2017) (2024)
head of government: Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN (since 22 December 2022)
cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held on 8 December 2022 (next to be held in 2026)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
the Faroe Islands elect 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms
elections: Faroese Parliament - last held on 8 December 2022 (next to be held in 2026)
Faroese seats in the Danish Parliament last held on 31 October 2022 (next to be held no later than 31 October 2026)
election results: Faroese Parliament percent of vote by party - JF 26.6%, B 20%, A 18.9%, E 17.7%, F 7.5%, H 6.6%, seats by party - JF 9, B 7, A 6, E 6, F 3, H 2; composition - men 24, women 9; percentage women 27.3%
Faroese seats in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - JF 1, B 1; composition - men 2, women 0; percentage women 0%
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Faroese Court or Raett (Rett - Danish) decides both civil and criminal cases; the Court is part of the Danish legal system
subordinate courts: Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif; Mixed Commercial Court; Land Court
Political parties
Center Party or H (Midflokkurin)
People's Party or A (Folkaflokkurin)
Progress Party or F (Framsokn)
Republic or E (Tjodveldi) (formerly the Republican Party)
Self-Government Party or D (Sjalvstyri or Sjalvstyrisflokkurin)
Social Democratic Party or JF (Javnadarflokkurin) or JF
Union Party or B (Sambandsflokkurin)
International organization participation
Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description
white with a red cross outlined in blue extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted toward the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); referred to as Merkid, meaning "the banner" or "the mark," the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors - but in a different sequence; white represents the clear Faroese sky, as well as the foam of the waves; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors
note: the blue on the flag is a lighter blue (azure) than that found on the flags of Iceland or Norway
National symbol(s)
ram; national colors: red, white, blue
National anthem
name: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
note: adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as "Tu alfagra land mitt" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem
Economy
Economic overview
high-income Danish territorial economy; party neither to the EU nor the Schengen Area; associate Nordic Council member; very low unemployment; unique foreign ownership allowance in fishing industry; known salmon exporter; growing IT industries
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$3.798 billion (2022 est.)
$3.603 billion (2021 est.)
$3.407 billion (2020 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 193
Real GDP growth rate
5.4% (2022 est.)
5.76% (2021 est.)
-1.93% (2020 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 39
Real GDP per capita
$71,500 (2022 est.)
$68,100 (2021 est.)
$65,000 (2020 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 16
GDP (official exchange rate)
$3.556 billion (2022 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 18% (2013 est.)
industry: 39% (2013 est.)
services: 43% (2013 est.)
comparison rankings: services 201; industry 36; agriculture 53
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 52% (2013)
government consumption: 29.6% (2013)
investment in fixed capital: 18.4% (2013)
Agricultural products
milk, potatoes, lamb/mutton, sheepskins, sheep offal, beef, sheep fat, beef offal, cattle hides, beef suet (2022)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
fishing, fish processing, tourism, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate
4.3% (2014 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 70
Population below poverty line
10% (2015 est.)
Remittances
4.45% of GDP (2022 est.)
4.33% of GDP (2021 est.)
4.86% of GDP (2020 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $835.6 million (2014 est.)
expenditures: $883.8 million (2014)
note: Denmark supplies the Faroe Islands with almost one-third of its public funds
Exports
$2.219 billion (2022 est.)
$1.923 billion (2021 est.)
$1.552 billion (2020 est.)
note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 163
Exports - partners
Russia 26.4%, UK 14.1%, Germany 8.4%, China 7.9%, Spain 6.8%, Denmark 6.2%, US 4.7%, Poland 4.4%, Norway 4.1% (2017)
Exports - commodities
fish and fish products (2021)
Imports
$2.223 billion (2022 est.)
$1.906 billion (2021 est.)
$1.597 billion (2020 est.)
note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 174
Imports - partners
Denmark 33%, China 10.7%, Germany 7.6%, Poland 6.8%, Norway 6.7%, Ireland 5%, Chile 4.3% (2017)
Imports - commodities
goods for household consumption, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials and semi-manufactures, cars
Exchange rates
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
6.89 (2023 est.)
7.076 (2022 est.)
6.287 (2021 est.)
6.542 (2020 est.)
6.669 (2019 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas: 99.9%
electrification - rural areas: 100%
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 178,000 kW (2022 est.)
consumption: 394.337 million kWh (2022 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 25.063 million kWh (2022 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 28; consumption 180; installed generating capacity 175
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 62.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
wind: 11.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
hydroelectricity: 26.2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Coal
imports: (2022 est.) less than 1 metric ton
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
825,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 825,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 174
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 15,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 181
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 59,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 112 (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 205
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: the Faroe Islands have a highly developed communication network, which covers the whole country; from telecommunication and mobile phones to the internet and media, the Faroe Islands are at the forefront of modern communications technology; working within the special geographic circumstances of the Faroe Islands; companies have become world experts in providing digital communication solutions to remote and sparsely populated areas (2022)
domestic: 29 per 100 teledensity for fixed-line and nearly 110 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2021)
international: country code - 298; landing points for the SHEFA-2, FARICE-1, and CANTAT-3 fiber-optic submarine cables from the Faroe Islands, to Denmark, Germany, UK and Iceland; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; (2019)
Broadcast media
1 publicly owned TV station; the Faroese telecommunications company distributes local and international channels through its digital terrestrial network; publicly owned radio station supplemented by 3 privately owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies
Internet users
total: 51,728 (2021 est.)
percent of population: 97.6% (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 201
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 18,443 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 169
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) (registered in Denmark)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 (registered in Denmark)
Heliports
12 (2024)
Roadways
total: 960 km
paved: 500 km
unpaved: 460 km (2017)
note: those islands not connected by roads (bridges or tunnels) are connected by seven different ferry links operated by the nationally owned company SSL; 28 km of tunnels
comparison ranking: total 188
Merchant marine
total: 91 (2023)
by type: container ships 6, general cargo 45, other 40
comparison ranking: total 95
Ports
total ports: 9 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 0
very small: 9
ports with oil terminals: 5
key ports: Fuglafjordur, Klaksvik, Kongshavn, Runavik, Sorvagur, Torshavn, Tvoroyri, Vagur, Vestmanna
Military and Security
Military and security forces
no regular military forces or conscription
Military - note
the Government of Denmark has responsibility for defense; as such, the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk, Greenland is responsible for coordinating the defense of the Faroe Islands; the Joint Arctic Command has a contact element in the capital of Torshavn