Quality of life comparison
If you lived in Faroe Islands instead of South Africa, you would:
Health
live 16.8 years longer
In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 66 years (63 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2024. In Faroe Islands, that number is 83 years (81 years for men, 85 years for women) as of 2024.
Economy
make 11.2 times more money
South Africa has a GDP per capita of $6,598 as of 2025, while in Faroe Islands, the GDP per capita is $74,175 as of 2024.
Life
be 75.2% less likely to die during infancy
In South Africa, approximately 24.2 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Faroe Islands, on the other hand, 6.0 children do as of 2022.
have 41.6% fewer children
In South Africa, there are approximately 18.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Faroe Islands, there are 10.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.
Basic Needs
be 14.0% more likely to have access to electricity
In South Africa, approximately 88% of people have electricity access (91% in urban areas, and 94% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Faroe Islands, that number is 100% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023.
be 24.6% more likely to have internet access
In South Africa, approximately 78.4% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Faroe Islands, about 97.6% do as of 2021.
be 10.9% more likely to have access to drinking water
In South Africa, approximately 90% of people have access to drinking water as of 2024. In Faroe Islands, 100% of people do as of 2024.
Geography
see 60.1% less coastline
South Africa has a total of 2,798 km of coastline. In Faroe Islands, that number is 1,117 km.
Infrastructure
find 6.5 times more home broadband
South Africa has 5.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Faroe Islands has 34.6 as of 2022.
Environment
emit 99.4% less CO2
South Africa emits 6.9 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Faroe Islands emits 0.0 tonnes as of 2024.
Sources: World Bank (2022–2025), The World Factbook (2021–2022). How we calculate this
Compare further: South Africa vs. Faroe Islands
Faroe Islands: At a glance
How big is Faroe Islands compared to South Africa? See an in-depth size comparison.