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Faroe Islands

Thirty-second orientation

Faroe Islands at a glance

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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
Population: total: 52,933 (2024 est.) male: 27,400 female: 25,533; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
Area: total : 1,393 sq km land: 1,393 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
Nationality / demonym: noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
Government: parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08
Languages: Faroese 93.8% (derived from Old Norse), Danish 3.2%, other 3% (2011 est.) note: data represent population by primary language; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08

Claims are attributed · classifications are dated

Claims and contested status

Maintained classification

Dependency or area of special sovereignty

Denmark

U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

A claim’s appearance records that the cited source reports it. It does not constitute an Almanac ruling on sovereignty.

Maintained profile

Classification: Dependency or area of special sovereignty; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31Federal classification and wording follow the current State Department register.
Sovereignty or administration: Denmark; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31
Administrative center: Tórshavn; U.S. Department of State, Dependencies and Areas of Special Sovereignty · as of 2026-03-31

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-08 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

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.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source

Geography16 fields

Location: Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Geographic coordinates: 62 00 N, 7 00 W; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Map references: Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Area: total : 1,393 sq km land: 1,393 sq km water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Area - comparative: eight times the size of Washington, D.C.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Land boundaries: total: 0 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Coastline: 1,117 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Terrain: rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Elevation: highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Natural resources: fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Natural hazards: strong winds and heavy rains can occur throughout the year; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source

People and Society24 fields

Population: total: 52,933 (2024 est.) male: 27,400 female: 25,533; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Nationality: noun: Faroese (singular and plural) adjective: Faroese; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Languages: Faroese 93.8% (derived from Old Norse), Danish 3.2%, other 3% (2011 est.) note: data represent population by primary language; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Religions: Christian 87% (predominantly Evangelical Lutheran), other 0.9%, none 3.7%, unspecified 8.9% (2011 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Median age: total: 37 years (2025 est.) male: 36.9 years female: 36.8 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Population growth rate: 0.62% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Birth rate: 14.76 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Death rate: 8.58 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Major urban areas - population: 21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.7 years (2024 est.) male: 79.2 years female: 84.4 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.09 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Drinking water source: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Physician density: 2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 52.3% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Education expenditure: 7.6% of GDP (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source

Environment6 fields

Environmental issues: coastal erosion, landslides and rockfalls, flash flooding, wind storms; oil spills; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Climate: mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.89% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 742,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 742,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 61,000 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 67% (2012 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source

Government21 fields

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"; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Government type: parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Dependency status: part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Legal system: the laws of Denmark apply; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Citizenship: see Denmark; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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 Première Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif; Mixed Commercial Court; Land Court; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
International organization participation: Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Independence: none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
National holiday: Olaifest (Olavsoka), 29 July (1030) note: commemorates the death in battle of King OLAF II of Norway, later St. OLAF; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
National symbol(s): ram; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source

Economy17 fields

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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Real GDP per capita: $70,400 (2023 est.) $69,400 (2022 est.) $67,800 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $3.907 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Industries: fishing, fish processing, tourism, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Exports - commodities: fish and fish products (2021); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Imports - partners: Denmark 33%, China 10.7%, Germany 7.6%, Poland 6.8%, Norway 6.7%, Ireland 5%, Chile 4.3% (2017); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Imports - commodities: goods for household consumption, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials and semi-manufactures, cars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source

Energy5 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 99.9% electrification - rural areas: 100%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Coal: imports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 15,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 57,146 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Internet country code: .fo; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 98% (2017 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 19,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source

Transportation5 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: OY-H; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Airports: 1 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Heliports: 12 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
Merchant marine: total: 91 (2023) by type: container ships 6, general cargo 45, other 40; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source

Military and Security2 fields

Military and security forces: no regular military forces or conscription; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source
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; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-08 · source

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