Population
11. Jul 2022
Population surpasses 54,000
The Faroese population reached 54,000 for the first time on 1 June. In 2013, when the population growth started to accelerate, the figure was approx. 48,000, and five years ago it passed the 50,000 milestone.
The strong growth seen in the past years has, however, slowed down somewhat over the past few months. This is predominantly due to fewer live births and more deaths.
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The population trend is determined by net migration (the difference in the number of immigrants and emigrants) and the excess of live births over deaths. The 1.3% growth over the past year is made up of an excess of births of 162 children and a net migration figure of 521 people.
The table below shows that the excess of births has halved compared to the previous 12-month period, with a near-equal figure for the increase of deaths and the decrease in births.
However, the low excess of births figure is somewhat balanced out by net migration, which saw a year-on-year increase due to more growth in immigration than in emigration.
Net migration on the rise
The trend in the graph below indicates an increasing difference in immigration and emigration figures, with a monthly average of about 50 more immigrants than emigrants today, compared to about 40 one year ago.
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Big drop in excess of births
The trend in the graph below shows that the difference in the number of live births and deaths has decreased significantly in the past months due to a higher-than-usual number of deaths. About 10 more births than deaths are registered on average per month today. Up to the start of this year, this difference was between 20 and 25.
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Highest growth in the largest municipalities
Tórshavnar, Klaksvíkar and Eystur municipalities saw the highest population growth in real terms. The biggest decrease was registered in Sands, Hvalbiar and Sørvágs municipalities.
The highest percentage growth was in Nes, Eiðis and Eystur municipalities, while Sands, Húsavíkar and Fámjins municipalities saw the biggest percentage decline.
Population figures for each municipality, town and village are outlined in the table below.
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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.
About the trend
The trend describes the population trend by adjusting for seasonal effects and other error components in the population figure.