2018 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2018 Archive (Wayback Machine)

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Countries

268

Data Records

69,324

Faroe Islands

2018 Edition · 218 data fields

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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 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.

Geography

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

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

Environment Current Issues

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

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

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

arable land: 2.1% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
agricultural land: 2.1% (2011 est.)
forest: 0.1% (2011 est.)
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: 12 nm

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

People and Society

Age Structure

0-14 years: 19.79% (male 5,220 /female 4,878)
15-24 years: 14.17% (male 3,714 /female 3,515)
25-54 years: 37.24% (male 10,280 /female 8,718)
55-64 years: 11.82% (male 3,094 /female 2,934)
65 years and over: 16.98% (male 4,194 /female 4,471) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

14.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death Rate

8.8 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Ethnic Groups

Faroese 87.6% (Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon descent), Danish 7.8%, other 4.6% (includes Icelandic, Norwegian, Filipino, Greenlandic, Thai, British) (2018 est.)
note: data represent respondents by country of birth

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

Hiv Aids Deaths

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

Hospital Bed Density

4.1 beds/1,000 population (2015)

Infant Mortality Rate

female: 5 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
total: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

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

female: 83.3 years (2018 est.)
male: 78.1 years (2018 est.)
total population: 80.6 years (2018 est.)

Major Urban Areas Population

21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018)

Median Age

female: 38.2 years (2018 est.)
male: 37.1 years
total: 37.6 years

Nationality

adjective: Faroese
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)

Net Migration Rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Physicians Density

2.63 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

51,018 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

0.58% (2018 est.)

Religions

Christian 89.3% (predominantly Evangelical Lutheran), other 0.7%, more than one religion 0.2%, none 3.8%, unspecified 6% (2011 est.)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
25-54 years: 1.18 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.34 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization: 0.74% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 42.1% of total population (2018)

Government

Administrative Divisions

part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark; there are 29 first-order municipalities (kommunur, singular - kommuna) Eidhis, Eystur, Famjins, Fuglafjardhar, Fugloyar, Hovs, Husavikar, Hvalbiar, Hvannasunds, Klaksvikar, Kunoyar, Kvivik, Nes, Porkeris, Runavikar, Sands, Sjovar, Skalavikar, Skopunar, Skuvoyar, Sorvags, Sumbiar, Sunda, Torshavnar, Tvoroyrar, Vaga, Vags, Vestmanna, Vidhareidhis

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

note: see Denmark

Constitution

amendments: see entry for Denmark (2016)
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 (2016)

Country Name

conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
etymology: the archipelago'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

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

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

note: 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 1 January 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 1 September 2015 (next to be held in 2019)
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
note: the blue on the flag is a lighter blue (azure) than that found on the flags of Iceland or Norway

Government Type

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

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

highest courts: 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

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 - JF 25.1%, Republic 20.7%, People's Party, 18.9%, Union Party 18.7%, Progressive Party 7%, Center Party 5.5%, New Self-Government Party 4.1%; seats by party - JF 8, Republic 7, People's Party 6, Union Party 6, Center Party 2, Progressive Party 2, New Self-Government Party 2; composition - men 23, women 10, percent of women 30.3%
elections: last held on 1 September 2015 (next to be held no later than October 2019)
note: election for 2 seats in the Danish Parliament was last held on 18 June 2015 (next to be held no later than June 2019); percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, Republican Party 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 a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem

National Holiday

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

National Symbol S

ram; national colors: red, white, blue

Political Parties And Leaders

Center Party (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA]New Self-Government Party (Nytt Sjalvstyri) [Jogvan SKORHEIM] (formerly Self-Government Party) (Sjalvstyrisflokkurin)People's Party (Folkaflokkurin) [Jorgen NICLASEN]Progressive Party (Framsokn) [Poul MICHELSEN]Republic (Tjodveldi) [Hogni HOYDAL] (formerly the Republican Party)Social Democratic Party (Javnadarflokkurin) or JF [Aksel V. JOHANNESEN]Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin) [Bardur a STEIG NIELSEN]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture Products

milk, potatoes, vegetables, sheep, salmon, herring, mackerel and other fish

Budget

expenditures: 883.8 million (2014)
note: Denmark supplies the Faroe Islands with almost one-third of its public funds
revenues: 835.6 million (2014 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

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

Debt External

$387.6 million (2012)

$274.5 million (2010)

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

22.7 (2013 est.)

21.6 (2011 est.)

Economy Overview

The Faroese economy has experienced a period of significant growth since 2011, due to higher fish prices and increased salmon farming and catches in the pelagic fisheries. Fishing has been the main source of income for the Faroe Islands since the late 19th century, but dependence on fishing makes the economy vulnerable to price fluctuations. Nominal GDP, measured in current prices, grew 5.6% in 2015 and 6.8% in 2016. GDP growth was forecast at 6.2% in 2017, slowing to 0.5% in 2018, due to lower fisheries quotas, higher oil prices and fewer farmed salmon combined with lower salmon prices. The fisheries sector accounts for about 97% of exports, and half of GDP. Unemployment is low, estimated at 2.1% in early 2018. Aided by an annual subsidy from Denmark, which amounts to about 11% of Faroese GDP , Faroese have a standard of living equal to that of Denmark. The Faroe Islands have bilateral free trade agreements with the EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey.For the first time in 8 years, the Faroe Islands managed to generate a public budget surplus in 2016, a trend which continued in 2017. The local government intends to use this to reduce public debt, which reached 38% of GDP in 2015. A fiscal sustainability analysis of the Faroese economy shows that a long-term tightening of fiscal policy of 5% of GDP is required for fiscal sustainability.Increasing public infrastructure investments are likely to lead to continued growth in the short term, and the Faroese economy is becoming somewhat more diversified. Growing industries include financial services, petroleum-related businesses, shipping, maritime manufacturing services, civil aviation, IT, telecommunications, and tourism.

Exchange Rates

Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -

6.586 (2017 est.)

6.7269 (2016 est.)

6.7269 (2015 est.)

6.7236 (2014 est.)

5.6125 (2013 est.)

Exports

$1.184 billion (2016 est.)

$1.019 billion (2015 est.)

Exports Commodities

fish and fish products (97%) (2017 est.)

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)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Gdp Composition By End Use

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

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

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

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$2.765 billion (2014 est.) (2014 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$40,000 (2014 est.)

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$2.001 billion (2014 est.)

$1.89 billion (2013 est.)

$1.608 billion (2012 est.)

Gdp Real Growth Rate

5.9% (2017 est.)

7.5% (2016 est.)

2.4% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

25.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

25.2% of GDP (2011 est.)

25.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA

Imports

$978.4 million (2016 est.)

$906.1 million (2015 est.)

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)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

3.4% (2009 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

-0.3% (2016)

-1.7% (2015)

Labor Force

27,540 (2017 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

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

Population Below Poverty Line

10% (2015 est.)

Public Debt

35% of GDP (2014 est.)

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment At Home

note: NA

Taxes And Other Revenues

30.2% (of GDP) (2014 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2.2% (2017 est.)

3.4% (2016 est.)

Energy

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2017 est.)
total: 17,973 (2017 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 (2015)

Internet Country Code

.fo

Internet Users

percent of population: 95.1% (July 2016 est.)
total: 47,988 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

domestic: conversion to digital system completed in 1998; both NMT (analog) and GSM (digital) mobile telephone systems are installed (2015)
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities (2015)
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 (2015)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (July 2016 est.)
total subscriptions: 20,193 (July 2016 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 107 (July 2016 est.)
total subscriptions: 54,487 (July 2016 est.)

Transportation

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2017)
total: 1 (2017)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

OY-H (2016)

Merchant Marine

by type: container ship 2, general cargo 41, oil tanker 1, other 52 (2017)
total: 96 (2017)

National Air Transport System

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3 (registered in Denmark) (2015)
number of registered air carriers: 1 (registered in Denmark) (2015)

Ports And Terminals

major seaport(s): Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur

Roadways

note: those islands not commected by roads (bridges or tunnels) are connected by seven different ferry links operated by the nationally owned company SSL
total: 960 km (2017)

Military and Security

Military Branches

no regular military forces or conscription; the Government of Denmark has responsibility for defense; as such, the Danish military’s Joint Arctic Command in Nuuk, Greenland is responsible for territorial defense of the Faroe Islands; the Joint Arctic Command has a contact element in the capital of Torshavn (2017)

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of Denmark

Transnational Issues

Disputes International

because anticipated offshore hydrocarbon resources have not been realized, earlier Faroese proposals for full independence have been deferredIceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim to UNCLOS that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm