Faroe Islands

Parliamentary Democracy (Faroese Parliament)Pop53KGDP (PPP)$3.8BCP0.0→Beta

Faroe Islands

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Overview

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.

Geography

Area

Land: 1,393 sq km
Water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Total: 1,393 sq km

Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast

Land Use

Other: 29.8% (2023 est.)
Forest: 0.1% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: 70.1% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 0.1% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 70.1% (2023 est.)

Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway
Coastline: 1,117 km

Elevation

Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m

Map references: Europe

Land Boundaries

Total: 0 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

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
Natural resources: fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Area comparative: eight times the size of Washington, D.C.
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W
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

People & Society

Languages: Faroese 93.8% (derived from Old Norse), Danish 3.2%, other 3% (2011 est.)
Religions: Christian 87% (predominantly Evangelical Lutheran), other 0.9%, none 3.7%, unspecified 8.9% (2011 est.)

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
Total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female

Birth rate: 14.76 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate: 8.58 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Median Age

Male: 36.9 years
Total: 37 years (2025 est.)
Female: 36.8 years

Population

Male: 27,400
Total: 52,933 (2024 est.)
Female: 25,533

Nationality

Noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
Adjective: Faroese

Urbanization

Urban population: 43% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 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)

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.)

Dependency Ratios

Total dependency ratio: 62.7 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 32.6 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 3.3 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 30.1 (2024 est.)

Physician density: 2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved: rural: rural: NA
Improved: total: total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Improved: urban: urban: NA
Unimproved: rural: rural: NA
Unimproved: total: total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Unimproved: urban: urban: NA

Education expenditure: 7.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Male: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births
Total: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Female: 5.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Population growth rate: 0.62% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate: 1.09 (2025 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

Life Expectancy at Birth

Male: 79.2 years
Female: 84.4 years
Total population: 81.7 years (2024 est.)

Major urban areas population: 21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018)
Currently married women (ages 15 49): 52.3% (2021 est.)

Government

Flag: description: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the cross is shifted toward the left side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

meaning: white represents waves breaking on the shore; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors

history: the flag is referred to as Merkid, meaning "the banner" or "the mark;" a group of students designed it in 1919, although it wasn't officially adopted until 1940

Capital

Name: Torshavn
Etymology: the name means "Thor's harbor" in Danish
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
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 6 46 W

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship: see Denmark

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

Country Name

Etymology: the archipelago's name derives from the Old Norse name Faeroyar, meaning "sheep islands;" faer means "sheep," and -oyar means "islands"
Local long form: none
Local short form: Foroyar
Conventional long form: none
Conventional short form: Faroe Islands

Independence: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Legal system: the laws of Denmark apply 
Government type: parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark

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

Executive Branch

Cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
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)
Most recent election date: 8 December 2022
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
Expected date of next election: 2026

National holiday: Olaifest (Olavsoka), 29 July (1030)
Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
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)
Social Democratic Party or JF (Javnadarflokkurin) or JF
Union Party or B (Sambandsflokkurin)

Legislative Branch

Note: note: the Faroe Islands elect 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms
Term in office: 4 years
Number of seats: 33 (directly elected)
Electoral system: proportional representation
Legislature name: Faroese Parliament (Logting)
Scope of elections: full renewal
Legislative structure: unicameral
Most recent election date: 12/8/2022
Expected date of next election: 2026
Percentage of women in chamber: 27.3%
Parties elected and seats per party: JF (9); B (7); A (6); E (6); F (3); H (2)

National Anthem(s)

Title: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
History: 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 to have their own national anthem
Lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG

National symbol(s): ram
Administrative divisions: 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
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 organisations: Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU

Economy

Exports

Civica canonical (reconciled): $1.923 billion (2021 est.)

Note: note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports 2021: $1.923 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022: $2.219 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023: $2.255 billion (2023 est.)

Imports

Civica canonical (reconciled): $1.906 billion (2021 est.)

Note: note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports 2021: $1.906 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022: $2.223 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023: $2.212 billion (2023 est.)

Industries: fishing, fish processing, tourism, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts

Remittances

Note: note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Remittances 2021: 4.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022: 4.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023: 4.1% of GDP (2023 est.)

Exchange Rates

Currency: Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020: 6.542 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 6.287 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 7.076 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 6.89 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024: 6.894 (2024 est.)

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
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)
Imports partners: Denmark 33%, China 10.7%, Germany 7.6%, Poland 6.8%, Norway 6.7%, Ireland 5%, Chile 4.3% (2017)

Real GDP Per Capita

Civica canonical (reconciled): $70,400 (2023 est.)

Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP per capita 2021: $67,800 (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $69,400 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $70,400 (2023 est.)

Real GDP Growth Rate

Note: note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP growth rate 2021: 5.5% (2021 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 3.6% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 2.5% (2023 est.)

Agricultural products: milk, potatoes, lamb/mutton, sheepskins, sheep offal, beef, sheep fat, beef offal, cattle hides, beef suet (2023)
Exports commodities: fish and fish products (2021)
Imports commodities: goods for household consumption, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials and semi-manufactures, cars
GDP (official exchange rate): $3.907 billion (2023 est.)

GDP Composition, BY End Use

Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Household consumption: 40.6% (2023 est.)
Government consumption: 27.3% (2023 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 31% (2023 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 57.7% (2023 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -56.6% (2023 est.)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity)

Civica canonical (reconciled): $3.834 billion (2023 est.)

Note: note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021: $3.613 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $3.741 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $3.834 billion (2023 est.)

GDP Composition, BY Sector of Origin

Note: note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Industry: 19.7% (2023 est.)
Services: 52% (2023 est.)
Agriculture: 18.2% (2023 est.)

Energy

Coal

Imports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

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

Electricity

Consumption: 463.285 million kWh (2023 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 180,000 kW (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 25.115 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity Access

Electrification rural areas: 100%
Electrification urban areas: 99.9%
Electrification total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Electricity Generation Sources

Wind: 18.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Fossil fuels: 53.7% 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.)

Communications

Internet Users

Percent of population: 98% (2017 est.)

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

Telephones Fixed Lines

Total subscriptions: 15,000 (2021 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2022 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Total subscriptions: 57,146 (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2022 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Total: 19,000 (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2022 est.)

Transport

Ports

Large: 0
Small: 0
Medium: 0
Key ports: Fuglafjordur, Klaksvik, Kongshavn, Runavik, Sorvagur, Torshavn, Tvoroyri, Vagur, Vestmanna
Very small: 9
Total ports: 9 (2024)
Ports with oil terminals: 5

Airports: 1 (2025)
Heliports: 12 (2025)

Merchant Marine

Total: 91 (2023)
BY type: container ships 6, general cargo 45, other 40

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: OY-H

Environment

Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy

Land Use

Other: 29.8% (2023 est.)
Forest: 0.1% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: 70.1% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 0.1% (2023 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
Agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 70.1% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 43% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and Recycling

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 61,000 tons (2024 est.)
Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 67% (2012 est.)

Environmental issues: coastal erosion, landslides and rockfalls, flash flooding, wind storms; oil spills

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

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

Military & Security

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
Military and security forces: no regular military forces or conscription

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Civica. (2026). Civica Atlas — Faroe Islands — vintage 2026-Q1: Faroe Islands factbook. Civica Atlas. Retrieved May 7, 2026, from https://civicaatlas.org/factbook/faroe-islands

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Sources: CIA World Factbook