2019 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2019 Archive (Wayback Machine)

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Countries

267

Data Records

66,981

Faroe Islands

2019 Edition · 210 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

Highest Point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment Current Issues

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

Environment International Agreements

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

Agricultural Land: 2.1% (2011 est.)
Agricultural Land Arable Land: 2.1% (2011 est.)
Agricultural Land Permanent Crops: 0% (2011 est.)
Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture: 0% (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 Nordic 1.4%, other 3.2% (includes Filipino, Thai, British) (2018 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

4.1 beds/1,000 population (2015)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female: 5 deaths/1,000 live births
Male: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births
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.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female: 83.3 years
Male: 78.1 years
Total Population: 80.6 years (2018 est.)

Major Urban Areas Population

21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018)

Median Age

Female: 38.2 years
Male: 37.1 years
Total: 37.6 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective: Faroese
Noun: Faroese (singular and plural)

Net Migration Rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Physicians Density

2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population

51,018 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

0.58% (2018 est.)

Religions

Christian 89.3% (predominantly Evangelical Lutheran), other 1%, none 3.8%, unspecified 6% (2011 est.)

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15 24 Years: 1.06 male(s)/female
25 54 Years: 1.18 male(s)/female
55 64 Years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 Years And Over: 0.94 male(s)/female
At Birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
Total Population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2018 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: 42.2% of total population (2019)

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

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

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

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 Lene Moyell JOHANSEN, chief administrative officer (since 15 May 2017)
Election Results: Bardhur A STEIGNIELSEN 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 31 August 2019 (next to be held in 2023)
Head Of Government: Prime Minister Bardhur A STEIG NIELSEN (since 16 September 2019)

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

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 apply where applicable

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) the Faroe Islands elect 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms
Election Results: Faroese Parliament percent of vote by party - People's Party 24.5%, JF 22.1%, Union Party 20.3%, Republic 18.1%, Center Party 5.4%, Progressive Party 4.6%, New Self-Government Party 3.4%, other 1.4%, seats by party - People's Party 8, JF 7, Union Party 7, Republic 6, Center Party 2, Progressive Party 2, New Self-Government Party 1, composition - men 25, women 8; percent of women 24.2% Faroese seats in Danish Parliament - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, Republican Party 1; composition - 2 men
Elections: Faroese Parliament - last held on 31 August 2019 (next to be held in 2023) Faroese seats in the Danish Parliament last held on 5 June 2019 (next to be held no later than June 2023)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
Name: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)

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] Self-Government Party (Sjalvstyri or Sjalvstyrisflokkurin) [Jogvan SKORHEIM] 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) [Bardhur 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)
Revenues: 835.6 million (2014 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

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

Debt External

2010: $274.5 million
2012: $387.6 million

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

2011: 21.6
2013: 22.7

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

2013: 5.6125
2014: 6.7236
2015: 6.7269
2016: 6.7269
2017: 6.586
Currency: Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -

Exports

2015: $1.019 billion
2016: $1.184 billion

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

2014: $40,000

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2012: $1.608 billion
2013: $1.89 billion
2014: $2.001 billion

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015: 2.4%
2016: 7.5%
2017: 5.9%

Gross National Saving

2010: 25.9% of GDP
2011: 25.2% of GDP
2012: 25.7% of GDP

Imports

2015: $906.1 million
2016: $978.4 million

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

2015: -1.7%
2016: -0.3%

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

2014: 35% of GDP

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

Taxes And Other Revenues

30.2% (of GDP) (2014 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2016: 3.4%
2017: 2.2%

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants: 35 (2017 est.)
Total: 17,973

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: 95.1% (July 2016 est.)
Total: 47,988

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; landing points for the SHEFA-2, FARICE-1, and CANTAT-3 fiber-optic submarine cables from the Faeroe Islands, to Denmark, Germany, UK and Iceland; satellite earth stations - 1 Orion; (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants: 46 (July 2016 est.)
Total Subscriptions: 20,193

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants: 107 (July 2016 est.)
Total Subscriptions: 54,487

Transportation

Airports

1 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M: 1
Total: 1 (2019)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

OY-H (2016)

Merchant Marine

By Type: container ship 3, general cargo 42, oil tanker 1, other 54 (2018)
Total: 100

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

Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur

Roadways

Paved: 500 km (2017)
Total: 960 km (2017)
Unpaved: 460 km (2017)

Military and Security

Military And Security Forces

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 (2019)

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 deferred; Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim to UNCLOS that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm