Population
10. May 2022
Population was 53,800 on 1 March – a 1.4% increase
The population started to grow again some eight years ago. In 2019, a record-high 900 people were added to the population over a 12 month period. Since then, the rising trend has slowed down to approx. 7-800 people every 12 months. Thus, the growth continues, and on 1st March the Faroese population was 53,793. The graph below shows the population trend since 1985.
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The population trend is determined by net migration, which is the excess of immigration over emigration, and the excess of births over deaths. The growth over the past year is made up of an excess of births figure of 216, and a net migration figure of 514. Compared to the previous period, net migration rose due to immigration increasing to a larger extent than emigration. Due to fewer births in the past year, as well as more numerous deaths than usual, the births of over deaths figure for March 2022 is considerably lower compared to the previous period. The table below shows additional figures.
As shown in the graph below, 2020 saw both immigration and emigration decrease considerably. Since then, immigration has all but reached the same level as prior to 2020, now standing at just under 150 people per month. Likewise, the emigration trend has been restored since 2020, even surpassing its previous level. From 108 emigrants prior to 2020, the emigration figure is now 113 people per month.
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The graph below shows a minor increase in the number of deaths in recent months. Following a short period of fewer deaths than normal in 2020, the number of deaths has increased to approx. 35 people per month. Following a spike in the number of births in 2020, the figure has now dropped to approx. 55 children per month.
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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.