Faroe Islands

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

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

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.)

Telephones - fixed lines

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

Telephones - mobile cellular

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

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

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

Exchange rates

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

$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

fish and fish products (2021)

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)

GDP (official exchange rate)

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

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

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

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

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

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

Industries

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

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

Real GDP growth rate

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

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

Remittances

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

imports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.)

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.)

Electricity access

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

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.)

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.)

Climate

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

Environmental issues

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

Land use

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

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

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually: 61,000 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 67% (2012 est.)

Area

total : 1,393 sq km land: 1,393 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)

Area - comparative

eight times the size of Washington, D.C.

Climate

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

Coastline

1,117 km

Elevation

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

Geographic coordinates

62 00 N, 7 00 W

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

Land boundaries

total: 0 km

Land use

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

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

Map references

Europe

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

Natural hazards

strong winds and heavy rains can occur throughout the year

Natural resources

fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

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

Terrain

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

Administrative divisions

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

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

see Denmark

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

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"

Dependency status

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

embassy: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

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 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

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

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

Independence

none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)

International organization participation

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

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

Legal system

the laws of Denmark apply

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

National anthem(s)

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

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

National symbol(s)

ram

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) Social Democratic Party or JF (Javnadarflokkurin) or JF Union Party or B (Sambandsflokkurin)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

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

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

no regular military forces or conscription

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)

Birth rate

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

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

52.3% (2021 est.)

Death rate

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

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.)

Drinking water source

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

Education expenditure

7.6% of GDP (2019 est.)

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

Gross reproduction rate

1.09 (2025 est.)

Infant mortality rate

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

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

total population: 81.7 years (2024 est.) male: 79.2 years female: 84.4 years

Major urban areas - population

21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018)

Median age

total: 37 years (2025 est.) male: 36.9 years female: 36.8 years

Nationality

noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese

Net migration rate

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

Physician density

2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population

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

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

Population growth rate

0.62% (2025 est.)

Religions

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

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.)

Total fertility rate

2.26 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

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

Airports

1 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

OY-H

Heliports

12 (2025)

Merchant marine

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

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