Faroe Islands

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.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes

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, D.C.

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: 70.1% (2022 est.)

arable land: 0.1% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 70.1% (2022 est.)

forest: 0.1% (2022 est.)

other: 29.8% (2022 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, 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 (2024 est.)

male: 27,400

female: 25,533

comparison rankings: total 208; female 208; male 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)

2024 population pyramid:

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 62.7 (2024 est.)

youth dependency ratio: 32.6 (2024 est.)

elderly dependency ratio: 30.1 (2024 est.)

potential support ratio: 3.3 (2024 est.)

Median age

total: 36.8 years (2024 est.)

male: 36.9 years

female: 36.8 years

comparison ranking: total 86

Population growth rate

0.63% (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 135

Birth rate

14.9 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 114

Death rate

8.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 70

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 93

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

Total fertility rate

2.27 children born/woman (2024 est.)

comparison ranking: 79

Gross reproduction rate

1.09 (2024 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

NA

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)

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.)

Education expenditure

7.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 12

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: 70.1% (2022 est.)

arable land: 0.1% (2022 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

permanent pasture: 70.1% (2022 est.)

forest: 0.1% (2022 est.)

other: 29.8% (2022 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 derives from the Old Norse name Faeroyar, meaning “sheep islands;” faer means “sheep,” and –oyar means “islands”

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 name means “Thor’s harbor” in Danish

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

Legal system

the laws of Denmark apply 

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

amendment process: 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

election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the Parliament usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister

most recent election date: 8 December 2022

expected date of next election: 2026

Legislative branch

legislature name: Faroese Parliament (Logting)

legislative structure: unicameral

number of seats: 33 (directly elected)

electoral system: proportional representation

scope of elections: full renewal

term in office: 4 years

most recent election date: 12/8/2022

parties elected and seats per party: JF (9); B (7); A (6); E (6); F (3); H (2)

percentage of women in chamber: 27.3%

expected date of next election: 2026

note: the Faroe Islands elect 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Faroese Court or Raett (Rett in 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 Première 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) 

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)

International organization participation

Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Independence

none (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)

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 the flags of Iceland and Norway and uses the same three colors in a different sequence; white represents the clear Faroese sky and sea foam; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors

note: the blue on the flag is a lighter blue (azure) than the flags of Iceland and Norway

National symbol(s)

ram

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)

$3.834 billion (2023 est.)
$3.741 billion (2022 est.)
$3.613 billion (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 193

Real GDP growth rate

2.49% (2023 est.)
3.56% (2022 est.)
5.76% (2021 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

comparison ranking: 127

Real GDP per capita

$70,400 (2023 est.)
$69,300 (2022 est.)
$67,800 (2021 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

comparison ranking: 18

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.907 billion (2023 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.3% (2016)
-1.7% (2015)

comparison ranking: 7

GDP – composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 18.2% (2023 est.)

industry: 19.7% (2023 est.)

services: 52% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

comparison rankings: services 133; industry 142; agriculture 39

GDP – composition, by end use

household consumption: 40.6% (2023 est.)

government consumption: 27.3% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 31% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services: 57.7% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services: -56.6% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products

milk, potatoes, lamb/mutton, sheepskins, sheep offal, beef, sheep fat, beef offal, cattle hides, beef suet (2023)

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: 72

Labor force

27,540 (2017 est.)

comparison ranking: 196

Unemployment rate

2.2% (2017 est.)
3.4% (2016 est.)

comparison ranking: 21

Population below poverty line

10% (2015 est.)

Remittances

4.05% of GDP (2023 est.)
4.44% of GDP (2022 est.)
4.32% of GDP (2021 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Public debt

35% of GDP (2014 est.)

comparison ranking: 154

Exports

$2.255 billion (2023 est.)
$2.219 billion (2022 est.)
$1.923 billion (2021 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis – exports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 161

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

$2.212 billion (2023 est.)
$2.223 billion (2022 est.)
$1.906 billion (2021 est.)

note: GDP expenditure basis – imports of goods and services in current dollars

comparison ranking: 176

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:
6.894 (2024 est.)
6.89 (2023 est.)
7.076 (2022 est.)
6.287 (2021 est.)
6.542 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access

electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)

electrification – urban areas: 99.9%

electrification – rural areas: 100%

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 180,000 kW (2023 est.)

consumption: 463.285 million kWh (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 25.115 million kWh (2023 est.)

comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 28; consumption 176; installed generating capacity 175

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 53.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

wind: 18.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity: 26.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste: 1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

imports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

742,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 742,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

comparison ranking: total emissions 176

Energy consumption per capita

(2019)

Communications

Telephones – fixed lines

total subscriptions: 15,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2022 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 204

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 country code

.fo

Internet users

percent of population: 98% (2017 est.)

Broadband – fixed subscriptions

total: 19,000 (2022 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2022 est.)

comparison ranking: total 173

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

OY-H

Airports

1 (2025)

comparison ranking: 229

Heliports

12 (2025)

comparison ranking: 67

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