Faroe Islands workplace death rate rises above European average

The Faroe Islands recorded an average of 4.02 fatal workplace accidents per 100,000 workers, more than twice the European average, according to public broadcaster KVF. Authorities are calling for greater prevention and knowledge-sharing to reduce the number of accidents.

The Faroese average rose from 3.2 fatal workplace accidents per 100,000 workers last year to 4.02. The European average is 1.6.

For the period from 2009 to 2025, the Faroe Islands’ average was more than two and a half times the European figure. Nordic countries generally record far fewer workplace accidents than the rest of Europe, but the Faroe Islands are an exception.

The rate in the Faroe Islands was more than nine times higher than in Iceland and four times higher than in Denmark, Sweden and Finland.

“We need greater prevention through knowledge-sharing in order to achieve the zero-accident vision,” said Evelyn Gaard, a workplace safety specialist and the new chair of the Working Environment Council.

The council advises the government on labour-market issues. Its stated goal is that nobody should die in a workplace accident in the Faroe Islands.