2015 Edition

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 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.

Area

land

1,393 sq km

total

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

highest point

Slaettaratindur 882 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 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 (2011)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

arable land 2.1%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%

agricultural land

2.1%

forest

0.1%

other

97.8% (2011 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

continental shelf

200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm or agreed boundaries or median line

territorial sea

3 nm

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas

Terrain

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

Age structure

0-14 years

20.1% (male 5,224/female 4,866)

15-24 years

14.96% (male 3,848/female 3,662)

25-54 years

37.04% (male 10,090/female 8,502)

55-64 years

11.73% (male 3,033/female 2,854)

65 years and over

16.17% (male 3,926/female 4,191) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

13.77 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Death rate

8.71 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Ethnic groups

Scandinavian

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

4.7 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

female

5.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

5.86 deaths/1,000 live births

total

5.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish

Life expectancy at birth

female

82.93 years (2015 est.)

male

77.73 years

total population

80.24 years

Major urban areas - population

TORSHAVN (capital) 21,000 (2014)

Median age

female

38.4 years (2015 est.)

male

37.1 years

total

37.7 years

Nationality

adjective

Faroese

noun

Faroese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Population

50,196 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

0.51% (2015 est.)

Religions

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

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.07 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.19 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.94 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

1.09 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.37 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.47% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

42% of total population (2015)

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

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

62 00 N, 6 46 W

name

Torshavn

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

see Denmark

Constitution

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 (2015)

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Faroe Islands

etymology

the archipelgo's name may derive from the Old Norse word "faer," meaning sheep

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

cabinet

Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister

chief of state

Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Dan Michael KNUDSEN, chief administrative officer (since 2008)

election results

Aksel V. JOHANNESEN elected prime minister; Parliament vote - NA

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 14 November 2011 (next to be held no later than November 2015)

head of government

Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN (since 15 September 2015)

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); 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

NA

Independence

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

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

the Faroese Court or Raett (Rett - Danish) decides both civil and criminal cases; the Court is part of the Danish legal system

Legal system

the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply

Legislative branch

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)

election results

percent of vote by party - Social Democratic Party 25.1%, Republic 20.7%, People's Party, 18.9%, Union Party 18.7%, Progressive Party 7.0%, Center Party 5.5%, Self-Government Party 4.1%; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 8, Republic 7, People's Party 6, Union Party 6, Progressive Party 2, Center Party 2, Self-Government Party 2

elections

last held on 1 September 2015 (next to be held no later than October 2019)

note

election of 2 seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 1 September 2015 (next to be held no later than September 2019); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, Republic 1

National anthem

lyrics/music

Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG

name

"Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)

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

Olaifest (Olavsoka), 29 July

National symbol(s)

ram; national colors: red, white, blue

Political parties and leaders

Center Party (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA]

Independence (or Self-Govenment) Party (Sjalvstyrisflokkurin) [Jogvan SKORHEIM]

People's Party (Folkaflokkurin) [Jorgen NICLASEN]

Progressive Party (Framsokn) [Poul MICHELSEN]

Republic (Tjodveldi) (formerly the Republican Party) [Hogni HOYDAL]

Self-Government Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]

Social Democratic Party (Javnadarflokkurin) [Aksel JOHANNESEN]

Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin) [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other

conservationists

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

expenditures

$1.301 billion

note

Denmark supplies the Faroe Islands with almost one-third of their public funds (2010)

revenues

$1.025 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-11.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$888.8 million (2010)

$68.1 million (2006)

Economy - overview

The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price fluctuations. The sector normally 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. 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 June 2008 at 1.1% but gradually increased to about 5.5% in 2012. Total dependence on fishing and salmon farming make the Faroese economy vulnerable to fluctuations in world demand. 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 3% of Faroese GDP, the Faroese have a standard of living almost equal to that of Denmark and Greenland. The Faroese Government ran relatively large deficits from 2008 to 2010 and budget deficits are forecast for several years ahead. At year-end 2010 gross external debt had reached approximately US$900 million.

Exchange rates

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -

5.6125 (2011)

5.3687 (2011)

5.79 (2012 est.)

5.3687 (2011 est.)

5.6241 (2010 est.)

Exports

$824 million (2010)

$767 million (2009)

Exports - commodities

fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships (2009 est.)

Exports - partners

UK 21.8%, Denmark 18.8%, Russia 11.9%, Nigeria 10.9%, US 9.5%, China 7.2%, Netherlands 6% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

16%

industry

29%

services

55% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$30,500 (2008 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2.9% (2010 est.)

0.5% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.32 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.471 billion (2010 est.)

$1.389 billion (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$776 million (2010)

$786 million (2009)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Denmark 45.5%, Norway 27.7%, Germany 5%, Iceland 4.4%, Sweden 4.1% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

3.4% (2009 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2011)

0.4% (2010)

Labor force

34,710 (November 2010)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

10.7%

industry

18.9%

services

70.3% (November 2010)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

44.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.5% (2012)

6.8% (2011)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

753,400 Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2015 est.)

Electricity - consumption

261.3 million kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

60.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

36.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

108,100 kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

281 million kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4,900 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

4,879 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2012 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 2 privately owned stations broadcasting over multiple frequencies (2008)

Internet country code

.fo

Internet users

percent of population

88.2% (2014 est.)

total

44,000

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)

Telephone system

domestic

conversion to digital system completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed

general assessment

good international communications; good domestic facilities

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 (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

35 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

17,300

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

123 (2014 est.)

total

61,400

Television broadcast stations

3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995)

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

total

1

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 20, chemical tanker 7, container 2, passenger/cargo 3, refrigerated cargo 3, roll on/roll off 2

foreign-owned

28 (Iceland 4, Norway 13, Sweden 11) (2010)

total

37

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur

Roadways

total

463 km (2006)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49

11,831 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

8,418 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

9,827

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

373 (2010 est.)

male

372

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Military branches

no regular military forces (2012)

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