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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 2 privately-owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.fo

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

8,936 (2010) country comparison to the world: 128

Internet users [time series]

37,500 (2009) country comparison to the world: 175

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: conversion to digital system completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed 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

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

20,200 (2010) country comparison to the world: 192

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

59,400 (2010) country comparison to the world: 196

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.163 billion expenditures: $1.139 billion note: Denmark supplies the Faroe Islands with almost one-third of their public funds (2006)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 31

Debt - external [time series]

$68.1 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 189

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for about 95% of exports and nearly half of GDP. In early 2008 the Faroese economy began to slow as a result of smaller catches and historically high oil prices that continue to trouble the economy. Reduced catches, especially of cod and haddock, have continued to strain the Faroese economy. GDP grew 0.5% in 2008-09. The slowdown in the Faroese economy followed a strong performance since the mid-1990s with annual growth rates averaging close to 6%, mostly a result of increased fish landings and salmon farming, and high export prices. Unemployment reached its lowest level in the first half of 2008, but increased to 3.9% in 2009 and is rising. The Faroese Home Rule Government produced increasing budget surpluses that helped to reduce the large public debt, most of it to Denmark. However, total dependence on fishing and salmon farming make the Faroese economy very vulnerable to fluctuations in world demand. In addition, budget surpluses turned to deficits in 2008-09, and the economy at both the country and local level is running large deficits. Initial discoveries of oil in the Faroese area give hope for eventual oil production, which may provide a foundation for a more diversified economy and less dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by an annual subsidy from Denmark amounting to about 6% of Faroese GDP, the Faroese have a standard of living almost equal to that of Denmark and Greenland.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

234.3 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 178

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

251.9 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Exchange rates [time series]

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.624 (2009) 5.0236 (2008) 5.4797 (2007) 5.9468 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$848 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 158 $634 million (2006)

Exports - commodities [time series]

fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships

Exports - partners [time series]

Denmark 33%, UK 19.8%, Nigeria 12.5%, US 10%, Netherlands 5.4%, Norway 4.8% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.45 billion (2008 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$1.59 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 16% industry: 29% services: 55% (2007 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$32,900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$983 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 171 $751 million (2006)

Imports - commodities [time series]

consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt

Imports - partners [time series]

Denmark 51.1%, Norway 22.4%, Sweden 6.7%, UK 4.2%, Iceland 4.1% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

8% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-1.1% (2009) country comparison to the world: 4 6.4% (2008)

Labor force [time series]

34,680 (November 2008) country comparison to the world: 200

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 10.2% industry: 20.5% services: 69.2% (2008)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 175

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Oil - consumption [time series]

5,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Oil - imports [time series]

4,776 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 133

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

47.5% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 21

Unemployment rate [time series]

3.9% (2009) country comparison to the world: 34 1.2% (2008)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 1,393 sq km country comparison to the world: 183 land: 1,393 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)

Area - comparative [time series]

eight times the size of Washington, DC

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

1,117 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution

Geographic coordinates [time series]

62 00 N, 7 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km

Land boundaries [time series]

0 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2005)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 3 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 34 municipalities

Capital [time series]

name: Torshavn geographic coordinates: 62 01 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

Constitution [time series]

5 June 1953 (Danish Constitution)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar

Dependency status [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Dan Michael KNUDSEN, chief administrative officer (since 2008) head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Faroese Parliament; election last held on 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister in 2008; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes prime minister

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

Independence [time series]

none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

none

Legal system [time series]

the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 29 October 2011 (next to be held no later than October 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 24.7%, People's Party 22.5%, Republican Party 18.3%, Social Democratic Party 17.7%, Progressive Party 6.3%, Center Party 6.2%, Self-Government Party 4.2%, other 0.1%; seats by party - Union Party 8, People's Party 8, Republican Party 6, Social Democratic Party 6, Progressive Party 2, Center Party 2, Self-Government Party 1 note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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 an autonomous overseas division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem

National holiday [time series]

Olaifest (Olavsoka ), 29 July

National symbol(s) [time series]

ram

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Center Party [Jenis av RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

conservationists

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 11,831 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 9,827 females age 16-49: 8,418 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 372 female: 373 (2010 est.)

Military - note [time series]

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

no regular military forces

Military expenditures [time series]

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21% (male 5,362/female 4,975) 15-64 years: 64.2% (male 16,837/female 14,788) 65 years and over: 14.8% (male 3,487/female 3,818) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.95 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Death rate [time series]

8.67 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

Ethnic groups [time series]

Scandinavian

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 6.06 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 176 male: 6.31 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 79.72 years country comparison to the world: 33 male: 77.25 years female: 82.35 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper

Median age [time series]

total: 37.3 years male: 36.6 years female: 38.1 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Population [time series]

49,267 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 208

Population growth rate [time series]

0.428% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 155

Religions [time series]

Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.071 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.42 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 89

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 9.4% country comparison to the world: 105 male: 6.9% female: 12.5% (2005)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 40% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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 that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2010) country comparison to the world: 216

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2010)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 26 country comparison to the world: 90 by type: cargo 11, chemical tanker 6, container 2, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 2, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: 11 (Norway 6, Sweden 5) (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur

Roadways [time series]

total: 463 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 195