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
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
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
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
