Population tops 54,000 for first time

On 1 June, the population figure surpassed 54,000 for the first time. This is a year-on-year increase of 1.3%, reports Statistics Faroe Islands.

In 2013, when the population growth started to accelerate, the Faroese population was about 48,000, and five years ago it passed the 50,000 milestone.

The rapid growth seen in the past years has, however, slowed down somewhat over the past few months. This is mainly due to fewer live births and more deaths, resulting in an excess of births over deaths of only 162, which is roughly half the figure from June 2021.

Increase in net migration

However, the low excess of births figure is somewhat balanced out by an increase in net migration, i.e. more immigration and less emigration.

Three of the largest municipalities – Tórshavn, Klaksvík and Eystur municipalities – saw the highest population growth in real terms.

The biggest decline was in Sandur, Hvalba and Sørvágur municipalities.

The highest percentage growth was in Nes, Eiði and Eystur municipalities, while Sandur, Húsavík and Fámjin municipalities saw the biggest percentage decline.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

More Faroese News in English.