Page last updated on January 7, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
62 00 N, 7 00 W
Map references:
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Europe
Area:
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total: 1,393 sq km
country comparison to the world: 183
land: 1,393 sq km
water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
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0 km
Coastline:
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1,117 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Terrain:
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rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 2.15%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.85% (2011)
Irrigated land:
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0 sq km (2011)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Scandinavian
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Religions:
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Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
49,709 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 20.4% (male 5,269/female 4,882)
15-24 years: 15.6% (male 4,003/female 3,738)
25-54 years: 36.8% (male 9,892/female 8,414)
55-64 years: 11.8% (male 3,018/female 2,832)
65 years and over: 15.4% (male 3,712/female 3,949) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 37.6 years
male: 37 years
female: 38.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.47% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.36 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Death rate:
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8.67 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Net migration rate:
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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 40% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.18 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5.82 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 175
male: 6.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 79.98 years
country comparison to the world: 35
male: 77.49 years
female: 82.64 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.39 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9.4%
country comparison to the world: 112
male: 6.9%
female: 12.5% (2005)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Capital:
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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
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Olaifest (Olavsoka), 29 July
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the laws of Denmark, where applicable, apply
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: Queen MARGRETHE II of Denmark (since 14 January 1972), represented by High Commissioner Dan Michael KNUDSEN, chief administrative officer (since 2008)
head of government: Prime Minister Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN (since 26 September 2008)
cabinet: Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: the monarchy 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 on 14 November 2011 (next to be held no later than November 2015)
election results: Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN reelected prime minister in 2011
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral Faroese Parliament or Logting (33 seats; members elected by popular vote on a proportional basis from the seven constituencies to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 29 October 2011 (next to be held no later than October 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 24.7%, People's Party 22.5%, Republican Party 18.3%, Social Democratic Party 17.7%, Progressive Party 6.3%, Center Party 6.2%, Independence Party 4.2%, other 0.1%; seats by party - Union Party 8, People's Party 8, Republican Party 6, Social Democratic Party 6, Progressive Party 2, Center Party 2, Independence Party 1
note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 15 September 2011 (next to be held no later than September 2015); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Social Democratic Party 1, Union Party 1
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the Faroese Court or Raett (Rett - Danish) decides both civil and criminal cases; the Court is part of the Danish legal system
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Center Party (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conservationists
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ram
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
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
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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%. The Faroese Home Rule Government produced increasing budget surpluses in that period, which helped to reduce the large public debt, most of it to Denmark. However, 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 the gross debt had reached approximately US$900 million.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.471 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.32 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$30,500 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 16%
industry: 29%
services: 55% (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34,710 (November 2010)
country comparison to the world: 203
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 10.7%
industry: 18.9%
services: 70.3% (November 2010)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.8% (2011)
country comparison to the world: 72
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $1.025 billion
expenditures: $1.301 billion
note: Denmark supplies the Faroe Islands with almost one-third of their public funds (2010)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
44.2% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-11.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.3% (2011)
country comparison to the world: 54
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$824 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 164
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Denmark 23.4%, UK 21%, Nigeria 13.4%, US 8.9%, Netherlands 8.4%, Russia 7%, China 4.4% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$776 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 186
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
goods for household consumption 24%, machinery and transport equipment 23.5%, fuels 21.4%, raw materials and semi-manufactures, salt
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Denmark 42%, Norway 32%, Germany 8.7%, Iceland 5.3% (2012)
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$888.8 million (2010)
country comparison to the world: 164
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
261 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
249 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100,100 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
64.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 132
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,871 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,661 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 139
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
785,300 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 182
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
61,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 199
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities
domestic: conversion to digital system 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 (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.fo
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,575 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 140
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37,500 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 176
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 215
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 463 km (2006)
country comparison to the world: 196
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 37
country comparison to the world: 79
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)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Fuglafjordur, Torshavn, Vagur
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
no regular military forces (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 11,831 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 9,827
females age 16-49: 8,418 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 372
female: 373 (2010 est.)
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of Denmark