Faroe Islands struggles to keep its youth as nearly half never return

A growing exodus of young Faroese—particularly women—has become a central issue in the upcoming parliamentary elections, with candidates warning the trend threatens the islands’ future, reports DR.

Nearly 40 percent of Faroese people in their mid-20s live abroad, and only about half ever return, according to the Faroese statistics agency Hagstova. The trend has sparked concern over the long-term impact on the islands’ workforce, democracy, and cultural life, with young candidates across parties calling it a crisis that has been ignored for too long.

“Where are the young people?” asks 20-year-old Bjørg Brynhildardóttir, a first-time parliamentary candidate for the left-wing independence party Tjóðveldi, as she gestures around Paname, a trendy café in the capital Tórshavn. “This is supposed to be the place where young people gather—but look around. We’re the only ones here.”

The absence is especially noticeable after summer, when many return for festivals and family visits, only to leave again by autumn. While most relocate to Denmark for education, around one in five never come back, often citing work opportunities or personal ties. The drain is particularly acute among women, who researchers suggest are drawn to more progressive societies where issues like abortion and gender equality face less resistance.

For Brynhildardóttir, the problem isn’t just economic—it’s existential. “We’re missing a youth culture,” she says. “There’s no real way to move out, live on your own, or explore who you are without leaving the islands.” Older generations may focus on labor shortages, she adds, but younger Faroese crave recognition: “We need to feel prioritized, taken seriously—that this country actually wants us here.”

The issue has dominated campaigning ahead of the Løgting (parliamentary) elections, held just two days after Denmark’s general election. With fertility rates declining and unemployment already low, the exodus risks hollowing out the workforce and political engagement. “This is a democracy problem,” Brynhildardóttir argues. “An entire generation that should be shaping policy is physically elsewhere.”

Last year, she used her speech at the May 1st labor rally to criticize the political establishment for “forgetting us,” demanding action beyond performative praise. “We don’t want applause for speaking up,” she said. “We want a seat at the table.”

Recent polls show the conservative Fólkaflokkurin leading with 29 percent, followed by the unionist Sambandsflokkurin (19.8 percent) and the social democratic Javnaðarflokkurin (18.8 percent). Tjóðveldi, Brynhildardóttir’s party, stands at 17.8 percent, with analysts noting its push to amplify youth voices—a strategy that may resonate as the islands grapple with their shrinking future.