Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]

total: 19,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2022 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]

percent of population: 98% (2017 est.)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 15,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2022 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total subscriptions: 57,146 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2022 est.)

Agricultural products [time series]

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

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 - 6.894 (2024 est.) 6.89 (2023 est.) 7.076 (2022 est.) 6.287 (2021 est.) 6.542 (2020 est.)

Exports [time series]

$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

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)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$3.907 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

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

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

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

Imports [time series]

$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

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)

Industries [time series]

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

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]

$3.834 billion (2023 est.) $3.741 billion (2022 est.) $3.613 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate [time series]

2.5% (2023 est.) 3.6% (2022 est.) 5.5% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita [time series]

$70,400 (2023 est.) $69,400 (2022 est.) $67,800 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars

Remittances [time series]

4.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 4.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 4.3% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Coal [time series]

imports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity [time series]

installed generating capacity: 180,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 463.285 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 25.115 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access [time series]

electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 99.9% electrification - rural areas: 100%

Electricity generation sources [time series]

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.)

Petroleum [time series]

refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions [time series]

742,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 742,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Climate [time series]

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

Environmental issues [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 70.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.) permanent pasture: 70.1% (2023 est.) forest: 0.1% (2023 est.) other: 29.8% (2023 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 (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 67% (2012 est.)

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, D.C.

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, 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: 70.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.) permanent pasture: 70.1% (2023 est.) forest: 0.1% (2023 est.) other: 29.8% (2023 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

Administrative divisions [time series]

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 name means "Thor's harbor" in Danish

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 amendment process: 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 derives from the Old Norse name Faeroyar, meaning "sheep islands;" faer means "sheep," and - oyar means "islands"

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: 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 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 most recent election date: 8 December 2022 expected date of next election: 2026

Flag [time series]

description: 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) meaning: white represents waves breaking on the shore; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors history: 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: resembles the flags of Iceland and Norway; uses the same three colors in a different sequence and with a lighter blue

Government type [time series]

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

Independence [time series]

none (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 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 re Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif; Mixed Commercial Court; Land Court

Legal system [time series]

the laws of Denmark apply

Legislative branch [time series]

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

National anthem(s) [time series]

title: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land) lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG history: 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 to have their own national anthem

National holiday [time series]

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

National symbol(s) [time series]

ram

Political parties [time series]

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Background [time series]

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.

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

Age structure [time series]

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)

Birth rate [time series]

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

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

52.3% (2021 est.)

Death rate [time series]

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

Dependency ratios [time series]

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.)

Drinking water source [time series]

urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure [time series]

7.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

Gross reproduction rate [time series]

1.09 (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.1 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: 81.7 years (2024 est.) male: 79.2 years female: 84.4 years

Major urban areas - population [time series]

21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018)

Median age [time series]

total: 37 years (2025 est.) male: 36.9 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 (2025 est.)

Physician density [time series]

2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population [time series]

total: 52,933 (2024 est.) male: 27,400 female: 25,533

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

Population growth rate [time series]

0.62% (2025 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

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: 0.93 male(s)/female total population: 1.07 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.26 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization [time series]

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

Airports [time series]

1 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]

OY-H

Heliports [time series]

12 (2025)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 91 (2023) by type: container ships 6, general cargo 45, other 40

Ports [time series]

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