Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are a self-governing North Atlantic archipelago within the Kingdom of Denmark. The capital is Tórshavn.

Find Faroe Islands

● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.

At a glance

Capital: Tórshavn
Languages: Faroese & Danish
Currency: Danish krone (DKK)
Population: 54,9002025 · World Bank
Area: 1,393 km²537.84 square miles
Home rule: 1948Self-governing within the Kingdom of Denmark.

Faroe Islands in context

Europe and its surrounding regions. The dot marks Tórshavn; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.

Natural Earth · locator map

Geography & languages

Physical geography

Rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast.

Languages

Faroese is the main local language. Danish is also taught and used.

Location

Northern Europe, island group between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, about halfway between Iceland and Norway.

Flag

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)

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

History & status

The Faroe Islands were long linked to Norway and later to Denmark. They remained under the Danish Crown when Norway separated from Denmark in 1814. Home rule was introduced in 1948, establishing extensive local government within the Kingdom of Denmark.

1814
The islands remain with Denmark after Norway's separation
1948
Home rule is established
2005
A new law expands the scope for taking over responsibilities

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Economy

Main activities

Fishing, fish processing and salmon farming are central to exports. Public services, shipping and tourism also provide employment. Dependence on seafood makes prices, fish stocks and access to markets important economic issues.

Industry and production

fishing, fish processing, tourism, small ship repair and refurbishment, handicrafts

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Population & economic trends

Dated World Bank observations. Population uses selected years; real GDP uses all available annual observations.

Population, 1970–2025

Thousands of people

54.92025 · thousands of people

Population estimates may be revised. Selected years are shown.

Sources: World Bank · Population

View data table

Population: source values and plotted units
Year	People	Thousands of people
1970	38,269	38.269
1980	43,072	43.072
1990	47,741	47.741
2000	45,754	45.754
2010	48,656	48.656
2020	52,561	52.561
2025	54,900	54.900

Real GDP, 2008–2024

Billions of constant 2015 US dollars

3.22024 · billions of constant 2015 US dollars

Constant prices adjust for inflation. This is total economic output, not current-dollar GDP or income per person. Missing years are left as gaps.

Sources: World Bank · Real GDP

View data table

Real GDP: source values and plotted units
Year	Constant 2015 US$	Billions of constant 2015 US dollars
2008	2,166,314,314	2.166
2009	2,067,675,563	2.068
2010	2,059,822,159	2.060
2011	2,133,282,898	2.133
2012	2,284,350,973	2.284
2013	2,418,125,854	2.418
2014	2,549,481,885	2.549
2015	2,573,905,971	2.574
2016	2,609,591,838	2.610
2017	2,701,241,060	2.701
2018	2,775,895,516	2.776
2019	2,901,879,820	2.902
2020	2,854,366,727	2.854
2021	2,998,979,304	2.999
2022	3,114,769,890	3.115
2023	3,213,157,333	3.213
2024	3,240,267,282	3.240

Government

A self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The elected Løgting is the parliament, and a prime minister heads the Faroese government. Some responsibilities remain with the Danish realm.

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Knowledge check

Three questions about Faroe Islands.

QUESTION 1 OF 3

Which industry is central to the Faroe Islands’ exports?

Sources & notes

Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived profile

Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.

Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.