2009 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2009 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Background
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 attained in 1948.
Geography
Area
total: 1,393 sq km country comparison to the world: 182 land: 1,393 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Climate
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Coastline
1,117 km
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Environment - current issues
NA
Environment - international agreements
party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
Geographic coordinates
62 00 N, 7 00 W
Geography - note
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
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 2.14% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.86% (2005)
Location
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway
Map references
Europe
Maritime claims
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
NA
Natural resources
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Terrain
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: 21.6% (male 5,451/female 5,108) 15-64 years: 64% (male 16,708/female 14,544) 65 years and over: 14.4% (male 3,324/female 3,721) (2009 est.)
Birth rate
13.04 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Death rate
8.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 87
Ethnic groups
Scandinavian
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
NA
Infant mortality rate
total: 6.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 179 male: 6.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
Languages
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 79.44 years country comparison to the world: 28 male: 77 years female: 82.05 years (2009 est.)
Literacy
NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper
Median age
total: 36.9 years male: 36.3 years female: 37.7 years (2009 est.)
Nationality
noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese
Net migration rate
-0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Population
48,856 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 208
Population growth rate
0.397% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Religions
Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 administrative data)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.44 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Urbanization
urban population: 41% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Government
Administrative divisions
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
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
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Country name
conventional long form: none conventional short form: Faroe Islands local long form: none local short form: Foroyar
Dependency status
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Diplomatic representation from the US
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: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Birgit KLEIS, chief administrative officer (since 1 November 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008) cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister elections: the monarch 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 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes Prime Minister
Flag description
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); the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors - but in a different sequence
Government type
NA
Independence
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
International organization participation
Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UPU
Judicial branch
none
Legal system
the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
Legislative branch
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members are elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.6%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2 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 holiday
Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July
Political parties and leaders
Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Self-Government Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders
Sea Shepard [Paul WATSON] (preservation of small whales) other: conservationists
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Budget
revenues: $588 million expenditures: $623 million (2005)
Debt - external
$64 million (1999) country comparison to the world: 192
Economy - overview
The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector accounts for 95% of exports and nearly half of GDP. Since 2003 the Faroese economy has picked up as a result of higher prices for fish and for housing. Unemployment is minimal and government finances are relatively sound. Oil finds close to the Islands give hope for economically recoverable deposits, which could eventually lay the basis for a more diversified economy and lessen dependence on Danish economic assistance. Aided by a substantial annual subsidy (about 15% of GDP) from Denmark, the Faroese have a standard of living not far below the Danes and other Scandinavians.
Electricity - consumption
226.6 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 176
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - imports
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Electricity - production
243.7 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 173
Exchange rates
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.0236 (2008 est.), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004)
Exports
$634 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 160
Exports - commodities
fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (1999)
Exports - partners
Denmark 27.3%, UK 18.6%, Croatia 12%, Norway 11.7%, Nigeria 10%, Netherlands 5.5% (2008)
GDP - composition by sector
agriculture: 27% industry: 11% services: 62% (1999)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$31,000 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 43
GDP - real growth rate
2.4% (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 148
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.7 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1 billion (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
$751 million (2006) country comparison to the world: 180
Imports - commodities
consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt (1999)
Imports - partners
Denmark 50.4%, Norway 20.2%, Sweden 6.4%, UK 4.2%, Iceland 4.1% (2008)
Industrial production growth rate
8% (1999 est.) country comparison to the world: 21
Industries
fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.8% (2005) country comparison to the world: 14
Labor force
24,250 (October 2000) country comparison to the world: 199
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 11.2% industry: 21.9% services: 66.9% (2007)
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 184
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 56
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 181
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Oil - consumption
5,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Oil - imports
4,922 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Oil - production
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Population below poverty line
NA%
Unemployment rate
1.4% (2007) country comparison to the world: 7 2.1% (2006)
Communications
Internet country code
.fo
Internet hosts
8,833 (2009) country comparison to the world: 120
Internet users
37,500 (2008) country comparison to the world: 175
Radio broadcast stations
AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Telephone system
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities domestic: digitalization was 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 - main lines in use
21,800 (2008) country comparison to the world: 192
Telephones - mobile cellular
54,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 192
Television broadcast stations
3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995)
Transportation
Airports
1 (2009) country comparison to the world: 233
Airports - with paved runways
total: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Merchant marine
total: 12 country comparison to the world: 110 by type: cargo 9, passenger/cargo 3 foreign-owned: 5 (Iceland 1, Norway 4) (2008)
Ports and terminals
Torshavn, Vagur
Roadways
total: 463 km (2006) country comparison to the world: 192
Military and Security
Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49: 11,725 (2008 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49: 9,759 females age 16-49: 8,311 (2009 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male: 386 female: 375 (2009 est.)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Military branches
no regular military forces
Military expenditures
NA
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
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 page last updated on November 10, 2009