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Communications

Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 18,443 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2020 est.)

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 3 privately owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies

Internet country code [time series]

.fo

Internet users [time series]

total: 51,728 (2021 est.) percent of population: 97.6% (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems [time series]

general assessment: the Faroe Islands have a highly developed communication network, which covers the whole country; from telecommunication and mobile phones to the internet and media, the Faroe Islands are at the forefront of modern communications technology; working within the special geographic circumstances of the Faroe Islands; companies have become world experts in providing digital communication solutions to remote and sparsely populated areas (2022) domestic: 29 per 100 teledensity for fixed-line and nearly 110 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2021) international: country code - 298; landing points for the SHEFA-2, FARICE-1, and CANTAT-3 fiber-optic submarine cables from the Faroe Islands, to Denmark, Germany, UK and Iceland; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; (2019)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 15,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 59,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2021 est.)

Economy

Agricultural products [time series]

potatoes, mutton, sheep skins, sheep offals, beef, sheep fat, cattle offals, cattle hides, cattle fat

Budget [time series]

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

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

-1.7% (of GDP) (2014 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$387.6 million (2012) $274.5 million (2010)

Economic overview [time series]

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

Exchange rates [time series]

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 6.287 (2021 est.) 6.542 (2020 est.) 6.669 (2019 est.) 6.315 (2018 est.) 6.603 (2017 est.)

Exports [time series]

$1.184 billion (2016 est.) $1.019 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

fish and fish products (2021)

Exports - partners [time series]

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)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.765 billion (2014 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

household consumption: 52% (2013) government consumption: 29.6% (2013) investment in fixed capital: 18.4% (2013)

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

agriculture: 18% (2013 est.) industry: 39% (2013 est.) services: 43% (2013 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income [time series]

22.7 (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$978.4 million (2016 est.) $906.1 million (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

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

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3.4% (2009 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-0.3% (2016) -1.7% (2015)

Labor force [time series]

27,540 (2017 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 15% industry: 15% services: 70% (December 2016 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

10% (2015 est.)

Public debt [time series]

35% of GDP (2014 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]

$2.001 billion (2014 est.) $1.89 billion (2013 est.) $1.608 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP growth rate [time series]

5.9% (2017 est.) 7.5% (2016 est.) 2.4% (2015 est.)

Real GDP per capita [time series]

$40,000 (2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

30.2% (of GDP) (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

2.2% (2017 est.) 3.4% (2016 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions [time series]

870,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 870,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

Coal [time series]

production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)

Electricity [time series]

installed generating capacity: 128,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 358.64 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 23.16 million kWh (2019 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2021)

Electricity generation sources [time series]

fossil fuels: 58.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 15.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 26% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Energy consumption per capita [time series]

0 Btu/person (2019 est.)

Natural gas [time series]

production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum [time series]

total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 5,500 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

4,555 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Environment

Air pollutants [time series]

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.63 megatons (2016 est.)

Climate [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 2.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0.1% (2018 est.) other: 97.8% (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources [time series]

0% of GDP (2017 est.)

Total renewable water resources [time series]

0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 43% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling [time series]

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.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 1,393 sq km 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 [time series]

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

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

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 0 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 2.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0.1% (2018 est.) other: 97.8% (2018 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

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

Natural hazards [time series]

strong winds and heavy rains can occur throughout the year

Natural resources [time series]

fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Population distribution [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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

Capital [time series]

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"

Citizenship [time series]

see Denmark

Constitution [time series]

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

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

embassy: 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 Lene Moyell JOHANSEN, chief administrative officer (since 15 May 2017) 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)

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 note: the blue on the flag is a lighter blue (azure) than that found on the flags of Iceland or Norway

Government type [time series]

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

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]

highest court(s): 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

Legal system [time series]

the laws of Denmark apply where applicable

Legislative branch [time series]

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 8 December 2022 (next to be held in 2026) Faroese seats in the Danish Parliament last held on 31 October 2022 (next to be held no later than 31 October 2026) election results: Faroese Parliament percent of vote by party - JF 26.6%, B 20%, A 18.9%, E 17.7%, F 7.5%, H 6.6%, seats by party - JF 9, B 7, A 6, E 6, F 3, H 2; composition - men 27, women 6; percent of women 18.2% Faroese seats in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - JF 1, B 1; composition - men 2 2019: Faroese Parliament percent of vote by party - People's Party 24.2%, JF 21.2%, Union Party 21.2%, Republic 18.2%, Center Party 6%, Progress Party 6%, Self-Government Party 3%, seats by party - People's Party 8, JF 7, Union Party 7, Republic 6, Center Party 2, Progress Party 2, 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 - JF 1, Republic 1; composition - men 2

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 a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem

National holiday [time series]

Olaifest (Olavsoka) (commemorates the death in battle of King OLAF II of Norway, later St. OLAF), 29 July (1030)

National symbol(s) [time series]

ram; national colors: red, white, blue

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

Center Party or H (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA] People's Party or A (Folkaflokkurin) [Benir JOHANNESEN] Progress Party or F (Framsokn) [Ruth VANG] Republic or E (Tjodveldi) [Hogni HOYDAL] (formerly the Republican Party) Self-Government Party or D (Sjalvstyri or Sjalvstyrisflokkurin) [Samal Peter I GRUND] Social Democratic Party or JF (Javnadarflokkurin) or JF [Aksel V. JOHANNESEN] Union Party or B (Sambandsflokkurin) [Bardur A STEIG NIELSEN]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

The Faroe Islands were already populated by ca. A.D. 500, but whether the settlers were Celtic or early Norse (or someone else) has yet to be determined. The islands served as an important stepping stone for Medieval Viking exploration of the North Atlantic and Viking settlers arrived on the islands in the 9th century. 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.

Military and Security

Military - note [time series]

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

Military and security forces [time series]

no regular military forces or conscription

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19.9% (male 5,415/female 5,053) 15-64 years: 61.94% (male 17,211/female 15,367) 65 years and over: 18.16% (2023 est.) (male 4,621/female 4,933)

Birth rate [time series]

14.9 births/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

Current health expenditure [time series]

Currently married women (ages 15-49) [time series]

34.8% (2023 est.)

Death rate [time series]

8.6 deaths/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 62.8 youth dependency ratio: 33.6 elderly dependency ratio: 29.1 potential support ratio: 3.4 (2021)

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

7.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Faroese 85.3% (Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon descent), Danish 8.3%, other Nordic 1.4%, other 4.5% (includes Filipino, Poland, Romanian) (2022 est.) note: data represent respondents by country of birth

Gross reproduction rate [time series]

1.1 (2023 est.)

Hospital bed density [time series]

4.2 beds/1,000 population (2016)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 5.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2023 est.) male: 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages [time series]

Faroese 93.8% (derived from Old Norse), Danish 3.2%, other 3% (2011 est.) note: data represent population by primary language

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 81.5 years (2023 est.) male: 79 years female: 84.2 years

Literacy [time series]

total population: NA male: NA female: NA

Major urban areas - population [time series]

21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 36.8 years (2023 est.) male: 36.8 years female: 36.8 years

Nationality [time series]

noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2023 est.)

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population [time series]

52,600 (2023 est.)

Population distribution [time series]

Population growth rate [time series]

0.63% (2023 est.)

Religions [time series]

Christian 89.3% (predominantly Evangelical Lutheran), other 1%, none 3.8%, unspecified 6% (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA

Sex ratio [time series]

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: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2023 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.28 children born/woman (2023 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 43% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 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 to UNCLOS that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm

Transportation

Airports [time series]

1 (2021)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

1 note: paved runways have a concrete or asphalt surface but not all have facilities for refueling, maintenance, or air traffic control; the length of a runway required for aircraft to safely operate depends on a number of factors including the type of aircraft, the takeoff weight (including passengers, cargo, and fuel), engine types, flap settings, landing speed, elevation of the airport, and average maximum daily air temperature; paved runways can reach a length of 5,000 m (16,000 ft.), but the typical length of a commercial airline runway is between 2,500-4,000 m (8,000-13,000 ft.)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

OY-H

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 91 (2022) by type: container ships 6, general cargo 43, other 42

National air transport system [time series]

number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) (registered in Denmark) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 (registered in Denmark)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur

Roadways [time series]

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