Europe :: Faroe Islands

- Introduction :: Faroe Islands
- Background:
  The population of the Faroe Islands is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th century. A high degree of self-government was granted the Faroese in 1948, who have autonomy over most internal affairs while Denmark is responsible for justice, defense, and foreign affairs. The Faroe Islands are not part of the European Union.
- Geography :: Faroe Islands
- 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)
  country comparison to the world: 183
  Area - comparative:
  eight times the size of Washington, DC
  Land boundaries:
  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:
  0 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean
  882 highest point: Slaettaratindur
  Natural resources:
  fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 2.1% (2011 est.)
  arable land: 2.1% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
  forest: 0.1% (2011 est.)
  other: 97.8% (2011 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
  Environment - current issues:
  coastal erosion, landslides and rockfalls, flash flooding, wind storms; oil spills
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
  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 :: Faroe Islands
- Population:
  51,018 (July 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Nationality:
  noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
  adjective: Faroese
  Ethnic groups:
  Faroese 87.6% (Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon descent), Danish 7.8%, other 4.6% (includes Icelandic, Norwegian, Filipino, Greenlandic, Thai, British) (2018 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 89.3% (predominantly Evangelical Lutheran), other 0.7%, more than one religion 0.2%, none 3.8%, unspecified 6% (2011 est.)
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 19.79% (male 5,220 /female 4,878)
  15-24 years: 14.17% (male 3,714 /female 3,515)
  25-54 years: 37.24% (male 10,280 /female 8,718)
  55-64 years: 11.82% (male 3,094 /female 2,934)
  65 years and over: 16.98% (male 4,194 /female 4,471) (2018 est.)
  population pyramid:
  The World Factbook Field Image Modal
  Europe :: Faroe Islands Print
  Image Description
  This is the population pyramid for Faroe Islands. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
  For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
  Median age:
  total: 37.6 years
  male: 37.1 years
  female: 38.2 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Population growth rate:
  0.58% (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 149
  Birth rate:
  14.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 131
  Death rate:
  8.8 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 68
  Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  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: 42.1% of total population (2018)
  rate of urbanization: 0.74% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  25-54 years: 1.18 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  male: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  female: 5 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 80.6 years (2018 est.)
  male: 78.1 years (2018 est.)
  female: 83.3 years (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 42
  Total fertility rate:
  2.34 children born/woman (2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 85
  Physicians density:
  2.63 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
  Hospital bed density:
  4.1 beds/1,000 population (2015)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  NA
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  NA
- Government :: Faroe Islands
- 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
  Dependency status:
  part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
  Government type:
  parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark
  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
  Administrative divisions:
  part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark; there are 29 first-order municipalities (kommunur, singular - kommuna) Eidhis, Eystur, Famjins, Fuglafjardhar, Fugloyar, Hovs, Husavikar, Hvalbiar, Hvannasunds, Klaksvikar, Kunoyar, Kvivik, Nes, Porkeris, Runavikar, Sands, Sjovar, Skalavikar, Skopunar, Skuvoyar, Sorvags, Sumbiar, Sunda, Torshavnar, Tvoroyrar, Vaga, Vags, Vestmanna, Vidhareidhis
  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)
  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 (2016)
  amendments: see entry for Denmark (2016)
  Legal system:
  the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
  Citizenship:
  see Denmark
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Judicial branch:
  highest courts: 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
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Dan Michael KNUDSEN, chief administrative officer (since 1 January 2008)
  head of government: Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN (since 15 September 2015)
  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 1 September 2015 (next to be held in 2019)
  election results: Aksel V. JOHANNESEN elected prime minister; Parliament vote - NA
  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)
  elections: last held on 1 September 2015 (next to be held no later than October 2019)
  election results: percent of vote by party - JF 25.1%, Republic 20.7%, People's Party, 18.9%, Union Party 18.7%, Progressive Party 7%, Center Party 5.5%, New Self-Government Party 4.1%; seats by party - JF 8, Republic 7, People's Party 6, Union Party 6, Center Party 2, Progressive Party 2, New Self-Government Party 2; composition - men 23, women 10, percent of women 30.3%

  note: election for 2 seats in the Danish Parliament was last held on 18 June 2015 (next to be held no later than June 2019); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, Republican Party 1

  Political parties and leaders:
  Center Party (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA]
  New Self-Government Party (Nytt Sjalvstyri) [Jogvan SKORHEIM] (formerly Self-Government Party) (Sjalvstyrisflokkurin)
  People's Party (Folkaflokkurin) [Jorgen NICLASEN]
  Progressive Party (Framsokn) [Poul MICHELSEN]
  Republic (Tjodveldi) [Hogni HOYDAL] (formerly the Republican Party)
  Social Democratic Party (Javnadarflokkurin) or JF [Aksel V. JOHANNESEN]
  Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin) [Bardur a STEIG NIELSEN]
  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:
  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 :: Faroe Islands
- Economy - overview:

  The Faroese economy has experienced a period of significant growth since 2011, due to higher fish prices and increased salmon farming and catches in the pelagic fisheries. Fishing has been the main source of income for the Faroe Islands since the late 19th century, but dependence on fishing makes the economy vulnerable to price fluctuations. Nominal GDP, measured in current prices, grew 5.6% in 2015 and 6.8% in 2016. GDP growth was forecast at 6.2% in 2017, slowing to 0.5% in 2018, due to lower fisheries quotas, higher oil prices and fewer farmed salmon combined with lower salmon prices. The fisheries sector accounts for about 97% of exports, and half of GDP. Unemployment is low, estimated at 2.1% in early 2018. Aided by an annual subsidy from Denmark, which amounts to about 11% of Faroese GDP , Faroese have a standard of living equal to that of Denmark. The Faroe Islands have bilateral free trade agreements with the EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey.

  For the first time in 8 years, the Faroe Islands managed to generate a public budget surplus in 2016, a trend which continued in 2017. The local government intends to use this to reduce public debt, which reached 38% of GDP in 2015. A fiscal sustainability analysis of the Faroese economy shows that a long-term tightening of fiscal policy of 5% of GDP is required for fiscal sustainability.

  Increasing public infrastructure investments are likely to lead to continued growth in the short term, and the Faroese economy is becoming somewhat more diversified. Growing industries include financial services, petroleum-related businesses, shipping, maritime manufacturing services, civil aviation, IT, telecommunications, and tourism.

  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $2.001 billion (2014 est.)
  $1.89 billion (2013 est.)
  $1.608 billion (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 197
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $2.765 billion (2014 est.) (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  5.9% (2017 est.)
  7.5% (2016 est.)
  2.4% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 35
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $40,000 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 45
  Gross national saving:
  25.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
  25.2% of GDP (2011 est.)
  25.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 53
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 52% (2013)
  government consumption: 29.6% (2013)
  investment in fixed capital: 18.4% (2013)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 18% (2013 est.)
  industry: 39% (2013 est.)
  services: 43% (2013 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  milk, potatoes, vegetables, sheep, salmon, herring, mackerel and other fish
  Industries:
  fishing, fish processing, tourism, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
  Industrial production growth rate:
  3.4% (2009 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 91
  Labor force:
  27,540 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 206
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 15%
  industry: 15%
  services: 70% (December 2016 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  2.2% (2017 est.)
  3.4% (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 20
  Population below poverty line:
  10% (2015 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: NA
  highest 10%: NA
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  22.7 (2013 est.)
  21.6 (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  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

  Taxes and other revenues:
  30.2% (of GDP) (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 76
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -1.7% (of GDP) (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Public debt:
  35% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  -0.3% (2016)
  -1.7% (2015)
  country comparison to the world: 8
  Exports:
  $1.184 billion (2016 est.)
  $1.019 billion (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
  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 (97%) (2017 est.)
  Imports:
  $978.4 million (2016 est.)
  $906.1 million (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Imports - commodities:
  goods for household consumption, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials and semi-manufactures, cars
  Imports - partners:
  Denmark 33%, China 10.7%, Germany 7.6%, Poland 6.8%, Norway 6.7%, Ireland 5%, Chile 4.3% (2017)
  Debt - external:
  $387.6 million (2012)
  $274.5 million (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 182
  Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

  NA

  Exchange rates:
  Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
  6.586 (2017 est.)
  6.7269 (2016 est.)
  6.7269 (2015 est.)
  6.7236 (2014 est.)
  5.6125 (2013 est.)
- Energy :: Faroe Islands
- Electricity access:
  electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
  Electricity - production:
  307 million kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Electricity - consumption:
  285.5 million kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 134
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  128,300 kW (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  54% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 142
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 90
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  31% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  16% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 52
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 123
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 131
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  4,600 bbl/day (2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  4,555 bbl/day (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 174
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 125
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 135
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  739,300 Mt (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
- Communications :: Faroe Islands
- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 20,193 (July 2016 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total subscriptions: 54,487 (July 2016 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 107 (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 200
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities (2015)
  domestic: conversion to digital system completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed (2015)
  international: country code - 298; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; 1 fiber-optic submarine cable to the Shetland Islands, linking the Faroe Islands with Denmark and Iceland; fiber-optic submarine cable connection to Canada-Europe cable (2015)
  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 (2015)
  Internet country code:
  .fo
  Internet users:
  total: 47,988 (July 2016 est.)
  percent of population: 95.1% (July 2016 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
  total: 17,973 (2017 est.)
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2017 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 153
- Transportation :: Faroe Islands
- National air transport system:
  number of registered air carriers: 1 (registered in Denmark) (2015)
  inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 (registered in Denmark) (2015)
  Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
  OY-H (2016)
  Airports:
  1 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 220
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1 (2017)
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)
  Roadways:
  total: 960 km (2017)

  note: those islands not commected by roads (bridges or tunnels) are connected by seven different ferry links operated by the nationally owned company SSL

  country comparison to the world: 187
  Merchant marine:
  total: 96 (2017)
  by type: container ship 2, general cargo 41, oil tanker 1, other 52 (2017)
  country comparison to the world: 88
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur
- Military and Security :: Faroe Islands
- Military branches:
  no regular military forces or conscription; the Government of Denmark has responsibility for defense; as such, the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk, Greenland is responsible for territorial defense of the Faroe Islands; the Joint Arctic Command has a contact element in the capital of Torshavn (2017)
  Military - note:
  defense is the responsibility of Denmark
- Transnational Issues :: Faroe Islands
- Disputes - international:
  because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferredIceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim to UNCLOS that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm