Quick facts
Faroe Islands population overview
The Faroe Islands is the 45th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 57,093 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.9% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 1 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 731 births (12.8 per 1,000 people) and 548 deaths (9.6 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 314 people. The infant mortality rate is 5.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 34,127 in 1960 to 54,900 in 2025 — a change of +60.9%, or +0.7% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 37.1 years; life expectancy at birth is 80.8 years; women have on average 1.9 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 19.9% of residents are under 15 and 17.8% are 65 or older (2025); 39.6% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Torshavn. The Faroe Islands covers 12,960 km², giving a population density of about 4.4 people per km². GDP was $4.05B in 2024 — about $74,175 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Faroe Islands population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 57,489 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 57,093 |
| World rank | #210 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #45 of 50 |
| Share of world population | less than 0.001% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.9% |
| Births per year est. | 731 |
| Deaths per year est. | 548 |
| Net migration per year est. | +314 |
| Birth rate | 12.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.6 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 5.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 106.5 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 37.1 years |
| Life expectancy | 80.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.9 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 39.6% |
| Surface area 2023 | 12,960 km² |
| Population density | 4.4 per km² |
| Capital | Torshavn |
| GDP (current US$) 2024 | $4.05B |
| GDP per capita 2024 | $74,175 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Faroe Islands population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 57,489 | – | – |
| 2025 | 54,900 | +260 | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 54,640 | +242 | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 54,398 | +495 | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 53,903 | +612 | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 53,291 | +730 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 52,561 | +3,663 | +1.5% |
| 2015 | 48,898 | +242 | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 48,656 | +297 | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 48,359 | +2,605 | +1.1% |
| 2000 | 45,754 | +2,143 | +1% |
| 1995 | 43,611 | -4,130 | -1.8% |
| 1990 | 47,741 | +2,032 | +0.9% |
| 1985 | 45,709 | +2,637 | +1.2% |
| 1980 | 43,072 | +2,504 | +1.2% |
| 1975 | 40,568 | +2,299 | +1.2% |
| 1970 | 38,269 | +1,922 | +1% |
| 1965 | 36,347 | +2,220 | +1.3% |
| 1960 | 34,127 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Faroe Islands
Population over time
- From 34,127 in 1960 to 57,489 today — up 68.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 83.1 years (2024), up 11 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.9 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 10.8 births vs 8.2 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 2.6 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 19.9% of the population is under 15 and 17.8% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 7.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 0 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.04 t in 2024, vs 0.02 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 7.9% of final energy in 2022 (+5.4 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 0.1% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 39.6% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 21% in 1960 (+18.6 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Economy
- GDP: $4.05B in 2024.
- Nominal GDP is up 39.1% since 2014.
- That works out to $74,175 per person.
Internet & mobile
- 97.6% of people used the internet in 2017.
- Mobile subscriptions: 105.8 per 100 people (2022) — more subscriptions than people.
Faroe Islands in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of the Faroe Islands in 2026?
As of October 2026, the Faroe Islands has an estimated population of 57,489. The United Nations estimated 57,093 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of the Faroe Islands growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.9% per year — roughly 1 more people every day. Each year there are about 731 births and 548 deaths, with net migration of +314.
What is the population density of the Faroe Islands?
About 4.4 people per square kilometre: 57,489 people living on 12,960 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in the Faroe Islands?
The median age is 37.1 years, and life expectancy at birth is 80.8 years. 19.9% of the population is under 15 and 17.8% is 65 or older (2025).
How does the Faroe Islands rank by population?
The Faroe Islands is the 210th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 45th in Europe, with less than 0.001% of the global population.
How has the population of the Faroe Islands changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 34,127; by 2025 it had grown to 54,900 (+60.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Turks and Caicos IslandsSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.9%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.