Faroe Islands
Veröffentlicht: 18. June 2022 - Letztes Update: 28. February 2025
Country Data Dashboard
Population
52,933
Growth: 0.63% (2024 est.)
GDP
$3.907 billion
(2023 est.)
Area
1,393 sq km
| Government type: | parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark |
| Capital: | Torshavn |
| Languages: | Faroese 93.8% (derived from Old Norse), Danish 3.2%, other 3% (2011 est.) |
People & Society
Ethnicity (2024 est.)
Religion (2011 est.)
Age structure
Economy
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) in Billion $
Real GDP per capita in $
Exports & Imports in billion $
Top 5 Import Partner in 2017 (69%)
Top 5 Import Commodities in 2017
- goods for household consumption 🏠🍽️
- machinery and transport equipment 🚗⚙️
- fuels ⛽
- raw materials and semi-manufactures 🪙⚙️
- cars 🚗
Top 5 Export Partner in 2017 (69%)
Top 5 Export Commodities in 2017
- fish and fish products 🐟
Geography
Map
Area
Natural resources
- fish 🐟
- whales 🐋
- hydropower 💧⚡
- possible oil and gas 🛢️
Climate
mild winters, cool summers; usually overcast; foggy, windy
Historical Background Information
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.