Faroe Islands Rate of Natural Increase

The rate of natural increase (RNI), which measures the difference between birth and death rates excluding migration, in the Faroe Islands is modest but generally positive, reflecting a small yet growing population. As of recent years, the Faroe Islands have maintained an RNI of around 0.3% to 0.5%, supported by relatively high birth rates compared to death rates. In contrast, neighboring countries such as Denmark and Iceland have experienced lower or even negative RNIs, with Denmark's RNI hovering close to zero due to low birth rates and an aging population, while Iceland's RNI remains slightly positive but lower than that of the Faroe Islands. Norway, another nearby country, also sees a low RNI, with natural increase contributing minimally to population growth, which is more influenced by immigration. Thus, while all these North Atlantic countries face demographic challenges, the Faroe Islands stand out for maintaining a higher rate of natural increase compared to their larger neighbors, though their overall population size remains small.

Data from US Census International Database