Faroe Islands :: Europe
Introduction
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
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: 182
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:
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Slaettaratindur 882 m
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
Population:
51,628
(July 2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Nationality:
noun:
Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective:
Faroese
Ethnic groups:
Faroese 87.6% (Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon descent), Danish 7.8%, other Nordic 1.4%, other 3.2% (includes Filipino, 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 1%, none 3.8%, unspecified 6%
(2011 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years:
19.69%
(male 5,247/female 4,920)
15-24 years:
13.89%
(male 3,708/female 3,465)
25-54 years:
37.01%
(male 10,277/female 8,828)
55-64 years:
12%
(male 3,199/female 2,996)
65 years and over:
17.41%
(male 4,352/female 4,636)
(2020 est.)
Median age:
total:
37.2 years
male:
36.9 years
female:
37.7 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Population growth rate:
0.6%
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Birth rate:
14.9 births/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
Death rate:
8.8 deaths/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 66
Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
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:
42.4% of total population
(2020)
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
0-14 years:
1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years:
1.07 male(s)/female
25-54 years:
1.16 male(s)/female
55-64 years:
1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.94 male(s)/female
total population:
1.08 male(s)/female
(2020 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total:
5.1 deaths/1,000 live births
male:
5.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
4.8 deaths/1,000 live births
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
80.8 years
male:
78.3 years
female:
83.6 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Total fertility rate:
2.31 children born/woman
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Drinking water source:
improved:
total:
99% of population
unimproved:
total:
0% of population
(2017 est.)
Physicians density:
2.62 physicians/1,000 population
(2016)
Hospital bed density:
4.1 beds/1,000 population
(2015)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
total:
100% of population
unimproved:
total:
1% of population
(2017)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
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
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
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) 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
amendments:
see entry for Denmark
Legal system:
the laws of Denmark apply where applicable
Citizenship:
see Denmark
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Lene Moyell JOHANSEN, chief administrative officer (since 15 May 2017)
head of government:
Prime Minister Bardhur A STEIG NIELSEN (since 16 September 2019)
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 31 August 2019 (next to be held in 2023)
election results:
Bardhur A STEIGNIELSEN 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) ++ the Faroe Islands elect 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms
elections:
Faroese Parliament - last held on 31 August 2019 (next to be held in 2023) ++ Faroese seats in the Danish Parliament last held on 5 June 2019 (next to be held no later than June 2023)
election results:
Faroese Parliament percent of vote by party - People's Party 24.5%, JF 22.1%, Union Party 20.3%, Republic 18.1%, Center Party 5.4%, Progressive Party 4.6%, New Self-Government Party 3.4%, other 1.4%, seats by party - People's Party 8, JF 7, Union Party 7, Republic 6, Center Party 2, Progressive Party 2, New Self-Government Party 1, composition - men 25, women 8; percent of women 24.2% ++ Faroese seats in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, Republican Party 1; composition - 2 men
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
Political parties and leaders:
Center Party (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA] ++ Self-Government Party (Sjalvstyri or Sjalvstyrisflokkurin) [Jogvan SKORHEIM] ++ 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) [Bardhur 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
Economic 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 real growth rate:
5.9%
(2017 est.)
7.5%
(2016 est.)
2.4%
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
-0.3%
(2016)
-1.7%
(2015)
country comparison to the world: 15
GDP (purchasing power parity) - real:
$2.001 billion
(2014 est.)
$1.89 billion
(2013 est.)
$1.608 billion
(2012 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.765 billion
(2014 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$40,000
(2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
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 sector of origin:
agriculture:
18%
(2013 est.)
industry:
39%
(2013 est.)
services:
43%
(2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:
52%
(2013)
government consumption:
29.6%
(2013)
investment in fixed capital:
18.4%
(2013)
Ease of Doing Business Index scores:
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: 205
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: 22
Population below poverty line:
10%
(2015 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:
NA
highest 10%:
NA
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
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: 187
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: 181
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
Electricity access:
electrification - total population:
100%
(2020)
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: 141
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
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
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
Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions:
19,137
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
37.29
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total subscriptions:
59,771
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
116.47
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Telecommunication systems:
general assessment:
good international and domestic communications; telecommunications network of high standards with excellent coverage throughout most parts of the country and at competitive prices
(2020)
domestic:
37 per 100 for fixed-line and 116 per 100 for mobile-cellular; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed
(2019)
international:
country code - 298; landing points for the SHEFA-2, FARICE-1, and CANTAT-3 fiber-optic submarine cables from the Faeroe Islands, to Denmark, Germany, UK and Iceland; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion;
(2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
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:
total:
49,783
percent of population:
97.58%
(July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
total:
18,181
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
36
(2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Transportation
National air transport system:
number of registered air carriers:
1
(registered in Denmark)
(2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers:
3
(registered in Denmark)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
OY-H
(2016)
Airports:
1
(2020)
country comparison to the world: 219
Airports - with paved runways:
total:
1
(2019)
1,524 to 2,437 m:
1
Roadways:
total:
960 km
(2017)
paved:
500 km
(2017)
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
country comparison to the world: 186
Merchant marine:
total:
107
by type:
bulk carrier 6, general cargo 46, oil tanker 1, other 54
(2019)
country comparison to the world: 86
Ports and terminals:
major seaport(s):
Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur
Military and Security
Military and security forces:
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
(2019)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:
because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim to UNCLOS that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm
