Population
11. Jun 2021
Population growth continues

The increasing population trend has continued over the past year. On 1 May this year, the Faroese population was 53,305, which is an increase of 863 people (1.6%).

The population trend is determined by net migration (the difference in the number of immigrants and emigrants) and the excess of births over deaths.

Since the start of this year, the population has increased by 380 people, a growth made up of a net migration of 275 people and an excess of births of 105.

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In April this year, 111 people moved to the country and 57 moved out of the country, leaving a net migration figure of 54 people. This is an increase of 23 compared to April 2020, when 80 people moved to the country and 49 moved out of the country.

April 2021 saw an excess of birth of 17. This is a decrease of 11 on April 2020, which had 11 more live births and the same number of deaths.

The solid lines in the graph below show the trend for immigration and emigration.

The solid lines in the graph below show the trend for births and deaths.

The table below shows the population by municipality from May 2020 to May 2021. The highest growth is seen in the largest municipalities, with Tórshavn, Klaksvík, Runavík, Eystur and Nes municipalities accounting for 79% of the total population growth.

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Population figures have a one-month lag

The figures have a one-month lag due to delays in registrations, especially regarding address changes, where many registrations are made after the month of address change has ended. To accommodate as many corrections as possible, there is a one-month lag in the data.

About the population figures

The population is defined as all individuals registered in the national register as residents of the Faroe Islands. Population data includes date of birth, gender, place of birth, citizenship, relationship status, and, where applicable, information on immigration and emigration, domestically as well as between the Faroe Islands and other nations.