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.

Land

1,393 sq km

Total

1,393 sq km

Water

0 sq km (some lakes and streams)

eight times the size of Washington, D.C.

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

1,117 km

Europe

Highest point

Slaettaratindur 882 m

Lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

62 00 N, 7 00 W

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

Total

0 km

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.)

arable land

0.05%

Forest

0.1% (2023 est.)

Other

29.8% (2023 est.)

No

Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway

Google Maps

https://goo.gl/maps/6sTru4SmHdEVcNkM6

OpenStreetMap

https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/52939

Europe

Continental shelf

200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

Exclusive fishing zone

200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

Territorial sea

12 nm

strong winds and heavy rains can occur throughout the year

fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

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

Northern Europe

rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast

UTC+00:00

number of time zones

1

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)

14.76 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

52.3% (2021 est.)

8.58 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

adult female

36 per 1,000

adult male

63 per 1,000

Elderly dependency ratio

30.1 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio

3.3 (2024 est.)

Total dependency ratio

62.7 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio

32.6 (2024 est.)

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

7.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

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

<strong>note:</strong> data represent respondents by country of birth

1.09 (2025 est.)

Female

5.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

6.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

5.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Faroese 93.8% (derived from Old Norse), Danish 3.2%, other 3% (2011 est.)

languages

Danish, Faroese

note

<strong>note:</strong>  data represent population by primary language

number of languages

2

Female

84.4 years

Male

79.2 years

Total population

81.7 years (2024 est.)

21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018)

Female

36.8 years

Male

36.9 years

Total

37 years (2025 est.)

5 births/1,000 women 15-19

Adjective

Faroese

Noun

Faroese (singular and plural)

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Female

25,533

Male

27,400

Total

52,933 (2024 est.)

0.62% (2025 est.)

Christian 87% (predominantly Evangelical Lutheran), other 0.9%, none 3.7%, unspecified 8.9% (2011 est.)

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

At birth

1.07 male(s)/female

Total population

1.07 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

2.26 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Rate of urbanization

0.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Urban population

43% of total population (2023)

29 first-order municipalities (<em>kommunur</em>, singular - <em>kommuna</em>) 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

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Etymology

the name means "Thor's harbor" in Danish

Geographic coordinates

62 00 N, 6 46 W

Name

Torshavn

Time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

see Denmark

svg

https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/fo.svg

Amendment process

see entry for Denmark

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

alternative spellings

FO, Føroyar, Færøerne

Conventional long form

none

Conventional short form

Faroe Islands

Etymology

the archipelago's name derives from the Old Norse name Faeroyar, meaning "sheep islands;" <em>faer </em>means "sheep," and -<em>oyar </em>means "islands"

FIFA code

FRO

Local long form

none

local long form (dan)

Færøerne

Local short form

Foroyar

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948

Embassy

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

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)

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

Head of government

Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN (since 22 December 2022)

Most recent election date

8 December 2022

<strong>description:</strong> 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)<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> white represents waves breaking on the shore; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors<br><br><strong>history:</strong> 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

note

<strong>note:</strong> resembles the flags of Iceland and Norway; uses the same three colors in a different sequence and with a lighter blue

The flag of the Faroe Islands is 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.

svg

https://flagcdn.com/fo.svg

parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

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

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 Premi&egrave;re Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif; Mixed Commercial Court; Land Court

the laws of Denmark apply&nbsp;

Electoral system

proportional representation

Expected date of next election

2026

Legislative structure

unicameral

Legislature name

Faroese Parliament (Logting)

Most recent election date

12/8/2022

Note

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

Number of seats

33 (directly elected)

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%

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

4 years

Olaifest (Olavsoka), 29 July (1030)

note

<strong>note: </strong>commemorates the death in battle of King OLAF II of Norway, later St. OLAF

ram

Center Party or H (Midflokkurin) <br>People's Party or A (Folkaflokkurin) <br>Progress Party or F (Framsokn) <br>Republic or E (Tjodveldi)  (formerly the Republican Party)<br>Social Democratic Party or JF (Javnadarflokkurin) or JF <br>Union Party or B (Sambandsflokkurin)

Monday

18 years of age; universal

No

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

note

<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

code

DKK, FOK

name

Danish krone (DKK) [kr], Faroese króna (FOK) [kr]

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

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.)

$2.21 billion

Exports 2021

$1.923 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$2.219 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$2.255 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<strong>note: </strong>GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars

fish and fish products (2021)

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 of goods and services

57.7% (2023 est.)

Government consumption

27.3% (2023 est.)

Household consumption

40.6% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services

-56.6% (2023 est.)

Investment in fixed capital

31% (2023 est.)

Investment in inventories

0% (2023 est.)

Note

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

Agriculture

18.2% (2023 est.)

Industry

19.7% (2023 est.)

Note

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

Services

52% (2023 est.)

$3.907 billion (2023 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

$74,120

$4.12 billion

$73,070

28 % of GDP

$2.07 billion

Imports 2021

$1.906 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$2.223 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$2.212 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<strong>note: </strong>GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars

goods for household consumption, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials and semi-manufactures, cars

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

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

$4.48 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> 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.)

0.84%

Note

<b>note:</b> 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.)

$81,909

Note

<b>note:</b> 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.)

Note

<b>note:</b> 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.)

Imports

1 metric tons (2023 est.)

Consumption

463.285 million kWh (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity

180,000 kW (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses

25.115 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electrification - rural areas

100%

Electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Electrification - urban areas

99.9%

Biomass and waste

1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels

53.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectric

23.67%

Hydroelectricity

26.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

nuclear

0%

renewable

38.08%

Wind

18.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption

5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

7.9%

per 100 inhabitants

35 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

35 (2022 est.)

Total

19,000 (2022 est.)

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

.fo

Percent of population

98% (2017 est.)

FO-###

+298

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

28 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions

15,000 (2021 est.)

subscriptions per 100

106 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

106 (2022 est.)

Total subscriptions

57,146 (2022 est.)

1 (2025)

OY-H

Right

12 (2025)

By type

container ships 6, general cargo 45, other 40

Total

91 (2023)

Key ports

Fuglafjordur, Klaksvik, Kongshavn, Runavik, Sorvagur, Torshavn, Tvoroyri, Vagur, Vestmanna

Large

0

Medium

0

Ports with oil terminals

5

Small

0

Total ports

9 (2024)

Very small

9

FO

the Government of Denmark has responsibility for defense; as such, the Danish military&rsquo;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

no regular military forces or conscription

From petroleum and other liquids

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

Total emissions

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

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

0 % of total land area

14 % of total

Municipal solid waste generated annually

61,000 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled

67% (2012 est.)