On 1 February 2018, the population of the Faroe Islands was 50.575, according to new population estimates released this week by Hagstova Føroya (Statistics Faroe Islands).
This represents an increase of 697, or 1.4%, from 1 February 2017 when the population was 49.878.
Hagstova Føroya points out that natural growth – more births than deaths – of 197 and net international migration of 500 contributed to the increase.
All main regions in the Faroe Islands, except for the island of Sandoy, had an increase in population. The fastest-growing regions were ”Eysturoy” (2.3%), ”Steymoy uttanfyri Tórshavnarøkið” (2.2%) and ”Vága Sýsla” (1.7%).
The Tórshavn area had a 1.1% increase in population, ”Norðoya Sýsla” a 1.0% increase, while ”Suðuroy” had a 0.4% increase in population. Meanwhile, on Sandoy the population has decreased by 0.6% since February 2017.
Since 2013, the Faroe Islands have seen an increase population and in April 2017 the Faroese population reached an all time high when the population passed 50.000. The growth is primarily caused by more expats returning to the Faroe Islands, fewer people moving away and a growing number of children being born. In the last few years, women have accounted for the majority of the rise in population.
The economic prosperity in the Faroe Islands has contributed to postitive changes in the job market. Changing governments have prioritized the education sector to increase the opportunities and give young people more choices in higher education in the Faroe Islands. Subsequently, the number of students at the University of Faroe Islands has increased significantly.
The fertility rate in the Faroe Islands is the highest in Europe. Life expectancy is also high: 79.0 years for men and 84.4 years for women.