Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
CIA - The World Factbook The World Factbook Home
CIA - The World Factbook
Europe :: Faroe Islands
(part of the Kingdom of Denmark)
page last updated on May 4, 2010
Flag of Faroe Islands
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Faroe Islands
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Faroe Islands
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
No Photos available for Faroe Islands
 
no photos available of Faroe Islands
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Faroe Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha 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.
Back to Top
Geography ::Faroe Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about half way between Iceland and Norway
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
62 00 N, 7 00 W
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 1,393 sq km
country comparison to the world: 182
land: 1,393 sq km
water: 0 sq km (some lakes and streams)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
eight times the size of Washington, DC
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,117 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Current Weather
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Slaettaratindur 882 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fish, whales, hydropower, possible oil and gas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 2.14%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.86% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Marine Dumping - associate member to the London Convention and Ship Pollution
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha 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
Back to Top
People ::Faroe Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
49,057 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 21.3% (male 5,403/female 5,053)
15-64 years: 64% (male 16,777/female 14,644)
65 years and over: 14.6% (male 3,406/female 3,774) (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 37.1 years
male: 36.5 years
female: 37.9 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.424% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12.9 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.66 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 41% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.069 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.15 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female
total population: 1.09 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 6.18 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 179
male: 6.43 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 79.58 years
country comparison to the world: 30
male: 77.13 years
female: 82.21 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.43 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Faroese (singular and plural)
adjective: Faroese
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Scandinavian
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Evangelical Lutheran 83.8%, other and unspecified 16.2% (2006 administrative data)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Faroese (derived from Old Norse), Danish
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA; note - probably 99%, the same as Denmark proper
Back to Top
Government ::Faroe Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Faroe Islands
local long form: none
local short form: Foroyar
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Torshavn
geographic coordinates: 62 01 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5 June 1953 (Danish constitution)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the laws of Denmark where applicable apply
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha 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 Opens in New Window)
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 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
election results: Joannes EIDESGAARD elected prime minister in 2008; governing coalition collapses in September 2008, Kaj Leo JOHANNESSEN becomes prime minister
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha 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 19 January 2008 (next to be held no later than January 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - Union Party 21%, Social Democratic Party 19.4%, Republican Party 23.3%, People's Party 20.1%, Center Party 8.4%, Self-Government Party 7.2%, other 0.7%; seats by party - Republican Party 8, Union Party 7, Social Democratic Party 6, People's Party 7, Center Party 3, Independence Party 2
note: election of two seats to the Danish Parliament was last held on 13 November 2007 (next to be held no later than November 2011); results - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Republican Party 1, Union Party 1
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Center Party [Jenis A. RANA]; Independence Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; People's Party [Jorgen NICLASEN]; Republican Party [Hogni HOYDAL]; Self-Government Party [Kari P. HOJGAARD]; Social Democratic Party [Joannes EIDESGAARD]; Union Party [Kaj Leo JOHANNESEN]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conservationists
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Arctic Council, FAO, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha 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); the flag resembles those of neighboring Iceland and Norway, and uses the same three colors - but in a different sequence
Back to Top
Economy ::Faroe Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
The Faroese economy is dependent on fishing, which makes the economy vulnerable to price swings. The sector 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. Though oil prices have come down, reduced catches, especially of cod and haddock, have continued to strain the Faroese economy. GDP grew 0.5% in 2008-09. 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 the first half of 2008, but increased to 5.3% in 2009 and is rising. The Faroese Home Rule Government produced increasing budget surpluses that helped to reduce the large public debt, most of it to Denmark. However, total dependence on fishing and salmon farming make the Faroese economy very vulnerable to fluctuations in world demand, and budget surpluses turned to deficits in 2008-09. 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 6% of Faroese GDP, the Faroese have a standard of living comparable to that of the Danes and other Scandinavians.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.56 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.45 billion (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.5% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$48,200 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 16%
industry: 29%
services: 55% (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
34,680 (November 2008)
country comparison to the world: 201
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 10.2%
industry: 20.5%
services: 69.2% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.9% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 33
1.2% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $1.163 billion
expenditures: $1.139 billion (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-1.1% (2009)
country comparison to the world: 5
6.4% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
milk, potatoes, vegetables; sheep; salmon, other fish
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fishing, fish processing, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
275.8 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
264.4 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008)
country comparison to the world: 174
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5,000 bbl/day (2008)
country comparison to the world: 170
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008)
country comparison to the world: 174
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4,922 bbl/day (2008)
country comparison to the world: 158
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 181
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 185
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 57
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008)
country comparison to the world: 182
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2009)
country comparison to the world: 178
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$848 million (2008)
country comparison to the world: 155
$634 million (2006)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
fish and fish products 94%, stamps, ships
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Denmark 27.6%, UK 18.8%, Croatia 12.2%, Norway 11.9%, Nigeria 10.1%, Netherlands 5.6% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$983 million (2008); $751 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 171
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
consumer goods 36%, raw materials and semi-manufactures 32%, machinery and transport equipment 29%, fuels, fish, salt
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Denmark 50.4%, Norway 20.2%, Sweden 6.4%, UK 4.2%, Iceland 4.1% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$68.1 million (2006)
country comparison to the world: 184
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Danish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 5.4742 (2009), 5.0236 (2008), 5.4797 (2007), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005)
Back to Top
Communications ::Faroe Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
21,800 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 192
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
54,900 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 192
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: good international communications; good domestic facilities
domestic: digitalization was 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
AM 1, FM 13, shortwave 0 (1998)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3 (plus 43 repeaters) (September 1995)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.fo
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8,833 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 120
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
37,500 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 175
Back to Top
Transportation ::Faroe Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 233
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 463 km (2006)
country comparison to the world: 193
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 12
country comparison to the world: 110
by type: cargo 9, passenger/cargo 3
foreign-owned: 5 (Iceland 1, Norway 4) (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Torshavn, Vagur
Back to Top
Military ::Faroe Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
no regular military forces
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 11,788 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 9,792
females age 16-49: 8,354 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 379
female: 368 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
defense is the responsibility of Denmark
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Faroe Islands
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
The online Factbook is updated bi-weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.