Quick facts
Iceland population overview
Iceland is the 40th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 401,293 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.9% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 10 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 4,334 births (10.8 per 1,000 people) and 2,689 deaths (6.7 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 2,006 people. The infant mortality rate is 1.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 175,574 in 1960 to 392,404 in 2025 — a change of +123.5%, or +1.2% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 36.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 83.3 years; women have on average 1.6 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 17.5% of residents are under 15 and 16% are 65 or older (2025); 94.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Reykjavik. Iceland covers 103,000 km², giving a population density of about 3.9 people per km². GDP was $38.58B in 2025 — about $98,323 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Iceland population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 404,237 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 401,293 |
| World rank | #179 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #40 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.005% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.9% |
| Births per year est. | 4,334 |
| Deaths per year est. | 2,689 |
| Net migration per year est. | +2,006 |
| Birth rate | 10.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 6.7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 1.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 105.2 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 36.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 83.3 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 94.2% |
| Surface area 2023 | 103,000 km² |
| Population density | 3.9 per km² |
| Capital | Reykjavik |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $38.58B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $98,323 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Iceland population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 404,237 | – | – |
| 2025 | 392,404 | +5,898 | +1.5% |
| 2024 | 386,506 | +843 | +0.2% |
| 2023 | 385,663 | +3,660 | +1% |
| 2022 | 382,003 | +9,483 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | 372,520 | +6,057 | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 366,463 | +35,648 | +2.1% |
| 2015 | 330,815 | +12,774 | +0.8% |
| 2010 | 318,041 | +21,307 | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 296,734 | +15,529 | +1.1% |
| 2000 | 281,205 | +13,737 | +1% |
| 1995 | 267,468 | +12,642 | +1% |
| 1990 | 254,826 | +13,421 | +1.1% |
| 1985 | 241,405 | +13,267 | +1.1% |
| 1980 | 228,138 | +10,159 | +0.9% |
| 1975 | 217,979 | +13,541 | +1.3% |
| 1970 | 204,438 | +12,152 | +1.2% |
| 1965 | 192,286 | +16,712 | +1.8% |
| 1960 | 175,574 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Iceland
Population over time
- From 175,574 in 1960 to 404,237 today — up 130.2%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +1.7% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 82.8 years (2024), up 8.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.6 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 11.2 births vs 6.8 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 4.4 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 17.5% of the population is under 15 and 16% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 8.1% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 3.29 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 3.83 Mt in 2009 — down 14% since.
- Per person: 8.52 t in 2024, vs 9.46 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 15,997 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), up 76.6% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 82.4% of final energy in 2021 (+27.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 0.5% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 0.2% to 0.5% since 1990 — roughly 369 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 94.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 80.4% in 1960 (+13.9 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 0.2% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 445,023 m³ in 2022, down 53.1% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $38.58B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 118% since 2015.
- That works out to $98,323 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 3.6% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 98.2% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 120.9 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Iceland in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Iceland in 2026?
As of October 2026, Iceland has an estimated population of 404,237. The United Nations estimated 401,293 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Iceland growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.9% per year — roughly 10 more people every day. Each year there are about 4,334 births and 2,689 deaths, with net migration of +2,006.
What is the population density of Iceland?
About 3.9 people per square kilometre: 404,237 people living on 103,000 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Iceland?
The median age is 36.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 83.3 years. 17.5% of the population is under 15 and 16% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Iceland rank by population?
Iceland is the 179th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 40th in Europe, with 0.005% of the global population.
How has the population of Iceland changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 175,574; by 2025 it had grown to 392,404 (+123.5%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
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United Kingdom
France
Bahamas
Northern Cyprus
Belize
GuadeloupeSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.9%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.