Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands is a self-governing archipelago within the Kingdom of Denmark, situated in the North Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland. Current estimates show a population of approximately 55,200 people, enjoying a projected GDP per capita of 75,376 USD. This unique territory is defined by its rugged volcanic terrain, extensive maritime history, and a modern infrastructure that connects its 18 islands.
Where is Faroe Islands?
Faroe Islands
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Faroe Islands
- Coordinates
- 62.00°, -7.00°
Population Details
- Population
- 55.2K
- Area
- 1,393 km²
- Density per km²
- 40 / km²
- Growth rate
- +0.49%
- Annual growth
- +270.28 people
- Daily growth
- +0.74 people
- World population share
- 0.00%
Population Trend
Historical series from 1960 to 2026
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Faroe Islands
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Tórshavn
- Region
- Europe
- Area
- 1,393 km²
- Languages
- Danish, Faroese
- Currency
- Danish krone (kr), Faroese króna (kr)
- Timezones
- UTC+00:00
- UN Member
- No
Economy
The economy of the Faroe Islands is heavily centered on fishing and aquaculture, which account for more than 90 percent of its export value. Recent data indicates a GDP per capita that ranks 14th globally and 9th in Europe, supported by an annual GDP growth rate of 0.84 percent. While the total GDP is approximately 4.1 billion USD, the government is actively seeking to diversify the economy through tourism and the development of a robust telecommunications sector.
Society
Residents of the Faroe Islands experience exceptional longevity, with a life expectancy of approximately 83.1 years, which ranks 20th globally. The population is highly digitally literate, as 97.6 percent of inhabitants are internet users, a figure that ranks 15th in the world. While the urban population accounts for 39.4 percent of the total, the community maintains a strong cultural identity through the Faroese language and traditional Scandinavian social structures.
Climate & Environment
The islands feature a subpolar oceanic climate, characterized by cool summers and relatively mild winters despite their high latitude. Frequent precipitation and persistent fog are common throughout the year, with the surrounding North Atlantic Current ensuring that coastal waters and harbors remain ice-free.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Self-governing overseas administrative division of the Kingdom of Denmark
- Independence
- 1948-04-01 (Denmark (attained self-government))
Geography
- Highest Point
- Slattaratindur (880 m)
- Lowest Point
- Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 1,117 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in Faroe IslandsExplore weather and climate data for cities in Faroe Islands
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Tórshavn
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C / 3°C | 1°C / -3°C | 17days (92 mm) Wet | 2.4h Poor | 77% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| February | 7°C / 3°C | 2°C / -3°C | 15days (91 mm) Wet | 4.7h Fair | 78% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| March | 7°C / 3°C | 2°C / -2°C | 17days (92 mm) Wet | 6.7h Fair | 78% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| April | 8°C / 4°C | 4°C / -1°C | 14days (65 mm) Wet | 9.2h Good | 77% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| May | 10°C / 6°C | 7°C / 2°C | 14days (56 mm) Wet | 10.9h Excellent | 80% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| June best | 13°C / 9°C | 10°C / 5°C | 16days (64 mm) Wet | 10.9h Excellent | 83% Humid | Fair | View Details |
| July best | 14°C / 10°C | 11°C / 7°C | 15days (61 mm) Wet | 9.5h Good | 86% Very Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| August best | 14°C / 10°C | 11°C / 7°C | 14days (60 mm) Wet | 9h Good | 86% Very Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| September best | 12°C / 9°C | 9°C / 5°C | 17days (80 mm) Wet | 7.1h Good | 84% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| October | 10°C / 7°C | 6°C / 2°C | 17days (96 mm) Wet | 4.7h Fair | 82% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| November | 9°C / 5°C | 4°C / 0°C | 16days (90 mm) Wet | 2.5h Poor | 81% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| December | 7°C / 3°C | 2°C / -2°C | 15days (101 mm) Wet | 1.5h Poor | 79% Humid | Poor | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 7°C / 3°C . Feb: 7°C / 3°C . Mar: 7°C / 3°C . Apr: 8°C / 4°C . May: 10°C / 6°C . Jun: 13°C / 9°C . Jul: 14°C / 10°C . Aug: 14°C / 10°C . Sep: 12°C / 9°C . Oct: 10°C / 7°C . Nov: 9°C / 5°C . Dec: 7°C / 3°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 92 mm. Feb: 91 mm. Mar: 92 mm. Apr: 65 mm. May: 56 mm. Jun: 64 mm. Jul: 61 mm. Aug: 60 mm. Sep: 80 mm. Oct: 96 mm. Nov: 90 mm. Dec: 101 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Faroe Islands is approximately 55.2K (2024).
The capital of Faroe Islands is Tórshavn.
Faroe Islands's GDP per capita is $75.4K (2024).
Life expectancy in Faroe Islands is 83.08 years (2024).
Faroe Islands covers 1,393 km² (538 sq mi).
Faroe Islands is sparsely populated, averaging 40 people per km², below the global average of 60.
Faroe Islands's population is growing slowly at 0.5% per year, below the global average.
Yes — based on GDP per capita, Faroe Islands falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $75.4K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
Faroe Islands has 2 official languages: Danish, Faroese.
Faroe Islands uses the Danish krone (kr) as its sole official currency.
Faroe Islands is an island nation and shares no land borders.
The best months to visit Faroe Islands are June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.
Current estimates show that the Faroe Islands have a population of approximately 55,200 people. This small population size ranks the territory 200th globally and 43rd within Europe. The population continues to grow at a steady annual rate of approximately 0.49 percent, driven by a fertility rate of 1.9 children per woman.
The latest estimates place the GDP per capita for the Faroe Islands at 75,376 USD. This high figure ranks the territory 14th globally and 5th within Northern Europe. The economy is highly developed, with a total GDP of approximately 4.1 billion USD, largely supported by its thriving global fishing and salmon farming exports.
Approximately 97.6 percent of the population in the Faroe Islands uses the internet. This high level of connectivity ranks the territory 15th globally for internet penetration. Even in remote villages, residents benefit from advanced telecommunications infrastructure, including an extensive network of subsea fiber optic cables and terrestrial broadband connections.
The Faroe Islands cover a total land area of 1,393 km² (538 sq mi) across 18 volcanic islands. This results in a population density of approximately 40.3 people per km² (104.4 per sq mi). The archipelago features an extensive coastline of 1,117 km (694 mi), and no point is further than 5 km (3.1 mi) from the sea.
The Faroe Islands is a self-governing overseas administrative division of the Kingdom of Denmark. While it has been self-governing since April 1948, it is not an independent country and is not a member of the United Nations. The local government manages most domestic affairs, including education, health, and fisheries, while Denmark handles defense.
All Indicators
Explore Faroe Islands's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
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Environment
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Geography
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