TÓRSHAVN, FAROE ISLANDS
Tórshavn Municipality is situated on the southeast coast of Streymoy, the largest of the 18 Faroe Islands, and has historically served as a key gathering point due to its central location and safe harbor. Covering 172.9 square kilometers, it includes the capital, Tórshavn, along with 16 villages spread across four islands. Tórshavn remains one of the world’s smallest capitals, with a vision to become a globalized and diverse center for development and growth in the North Atlantic.
Mayor Elsa Berg
Mayor Elsa Berg was elected to lead the municipality of Tórshavn at 28 years-old, making her the youngest ever Mayor elected in Tórshavn.
Before being elected as mayor, she served on the city council of Tórshavn, where she worked on a range of projects, from securing funding for environmental preservation to advancing climate-friendly public transportation initiatives. Her focus as mayor is to create a sustainable future for the community.
I believe that by working together as mayors in the Arctic, we can build resilient communities, protect our shared environment, and create a sustainable future for generations to come.
– Mayor Elsa Berg
Tórshavn aspires to be a knowledge-driven municipality and is committed to learning from neighboring Arctic municipalities to effectively address various challenges.
By far the largest part of the Faroese population is of Scandinavian descent. In the last few years, the municipality has experienced a rise in number of foreign workers, as the unemployment rate is very low.
Quick facts
Population
- English name: Tórshavn
- Name local languages: Tórshavn
- Population: 23 326
- Largest metropolitan area: Tórshavn
- Population largest metropolitan area: —
Language and culture
- Languages spoken: Faroese
Work and education
- Mayor industries: Fisheries, particularly for species like mackerel, herring, cod, and haddock.
- Higher education: Faculty of Faroese Language and Literature, Faculty of Education, Faculty of History and Social Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences
Arctic Mayors’ Forum
- Joined: 2025
