Faroe Islands report more fatal workplace accidents than Nordic peers

The Faroe Islands has a higher rate of fatal workplace accidents than other Nordic countries, even after accounting for differences in the countries’ industry mix, research reported by KVF found.

Researchers led by doctor Marnar Fríðheim Kristiansen presented the findings at a research day at the National Hospital, a hospital in the Faroe Islands. They recorded 20 fatal workplace accidents from 2011 to 2025, equivalent to 4.13 deaths per 100,000 working people.

Rates in the other Nordic countries range from 0.8 to just under two deaths per 100,000 workers. Kristiansen said the research team reviewed the figures because authorities may record incidents differently, and the researchers wanted to ensure the data could be compared fairly.

The team also examined whether the Faroe Islands’ industry mix could explain the higher rate. Kristiansen said that if the islands had the same industry distribution as the other Nordic countries, the figure would be 3.8. If the Nordic countries had the Faroe Islands’ industry distribution, it would be 5.9.

“There is a large difference between 5.9 and 15, which cannot be explained by the industry mix being different in the Faroe Islands,” he said. The figures differ somewhat from the earlier rates for technical reasons, the article said.