Some villages growing, some dwindling

In 2005, Sunda Municipality’s population was 1,558. Since then, the figure has increased by 243.

This is a 15.6-percent increase over 13 years. In the same period, the average national population growth was 3.7 percent.

The biggest increase in this period was in the village of Oyrarbakki, which has enjoyed an astonishing 62-percent increase, from 105 inhabitants in 2005 to 170 today. The nearby village of Oyri grew by 28 percent to 175 in this period.

Streymnes saw a 57-percent increase, from 198 to 311 citizens, while the neighbouring village of Hvalvík had a 16-percent increase.

In 2005, 247 people lived in Norðskála. Now there are 321, which is an increase of 30 percent.

The big village in the municipality, Hósvík, has also grown. In 2005, there were 297 inhabitants, which has now increased by 23 to 320 – an 8-percent increase.

Despite this big growth, not all 11 villages in the municipality have enjoyed growth.

South of the bridge, the figures are different. While the small village of Langasandur has grown by three citizens, Haldórsvík has dwindled by 30 percent.

The northernmost village of Streymoy, Tjørnuvík, has seen a 20-percent population drop from 2005 to 2018, with the current population standing at 57.

Two of the most popular villages for foreigners, Gjógv and Saksun, are also seeing a drop in their population. Gjógv’s population decreased by 43 percent to 31 inhabitants, while Saksun is worst off, dropping down to eight inhabitants, compared with 32 in 2005, which is a drop of 75 percent.

Translated by prosa.fo