Iceland

Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althingi, which was established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter-century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Denmark granted limited home rule in 1874 and complete independence in 1944. The second half of the 20th century saw substantial economic growth driven primarily by the fishing industry. The economy diversified greatly after the country joined the European Economic Area in 1994, but the global financial crisis hit Iceland especially hard in the years after 2008. The economy is now on an upward trajectory, primarily thanks to a tourism and construction boom. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.

65 00 N, 18 00 W

earthquakes and volcanic activity

Volcanism: Iceland is situated on top of a hotspot and experiences severe volcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (1,666 m) erupted in 2010, sending ash high into the atmosphere and seriously disrupting European air traffic; scientists continue to monitor nearby Katla (1,512 m), which has a high probability of eruption; Grimsvoetn and Hekla are Iceland's most active volcanoes; other historically active volcanoes include Askja, Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla, Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, and Vestmannaeyjar

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania; about the same size as Kentucky

water pollution from fertilizer runoff

Party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

Signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation

temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers

4,970 km

Total: 0 km

Agricultural land: 18.6% (2022 est.)

Arable land: 1.2% (2022 est.)

Permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)

Permanent pasture: 17.4% (2022 est.)

Forest: 0.5% (2022 est.)

Other: 80.9% (2022 est.)

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite

strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe

mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords

Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the United Kingdom

Arctic Region

0.5 sq km (2022)

170 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Iceland is almost entirely urban, with half of the population located in and around the capital of Reykjavik; smaller clusters are primarily found along the coast in the north and west

Highest point: Hvannadalshnukur (at Vatnajokull Glacier) 2,110 m

Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Mean elevation: 557 m

Total : 103,000 sq km

Land: 100,250 sq km

Water: 2,750 sq km

0-14 years: 19.8% (male 36,692/female 35,239)

15-64 years: 63.2% (male 116,210/female 113,810)

65 years and over: 17.1% (2024 est.) (male 29,366/female 32,719)

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.9 male(s)/female

Total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Noun: Icelander(s)

Adjective: Icelandic

Total: 19 years (2022 est.)

Male: 18 years (2022 est.)

Female: 20 years (2022 est.)

Urban population: 94% of total population (2023)

Rate of urbanization: 0.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

216,000 REYKJAVIK (capital) (2018)

4.37 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

28.7 years (2020 est.)

Total dependency ratio: 58.3 (2024 est.)

Youth dependency ratio: 31.3 (2024 est.)

Elderly dependency ratio: 27 (2024 est.)

Potential support ratio: 3.7 (2024 est.)

Improved:

Urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved:

Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Icelandic 78.7%, Polish 5.8%, Danish 1%, Ukrainian 1%, other 13.5% (2024 est.)

Note: data represent population by country of birth

Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (official) 58.6% Roman Catholic 3.8%, Independent Congregation of Reykjavik 2.6%, Independent Congregation of Hafnarfjordur 1.9%, pagan worship 1.5%, Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association 1.4%, other (includes Zuist and Pentecostal) or unspecified 18.7%, none 7.7% (2024 est.)

Icelandic, English, Polish, Nordic languages, German

8.6% of GDP (2022)

16.5% of national budget (2022 est.)

0.95 (2024 est.)

45.1% (2023 est.)

Total: 7.6% (2024 est.)

Male: 8.3% (2024 est.)

Female: 7% (2024 est.)

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

2.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 38 years (2024 est.)

Male: 37.4 years

Female: 38.6 years

3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

1.94 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Total: 364,036 (2024 est.)

Male: 182,268

Female: 181,768

Total: 1.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Male: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 1.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Total: 8% (2025 est.)

Male: 7.9% (2025 est.)

Female: 8% (2025 est.)

21.9% (2016)

6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

12.6 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Total: 7.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Beer: 4.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine: 2.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits: 1.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total population: 84 years (2024 est.)

Male: 81.8 years

Female: 86.3 years

6.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

14.8% national budget (2023 est.)

0.85% (2024 est.)

Municipal: 80 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial: 198 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Agricultural: 300,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal solid waste generated annually: 225,300 tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 55.5% (2022 est.)

5.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

3.101 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke: 376,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 2.725 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Erin SAWYER (since January 2025)

Embassy: Engjateigur 7, 105 Reykjavik

Mailing address: 5640 Reykjavik Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-5640

Telephone: [354] 595-2200

FAX: [354] 562-9118

Email address and website:
ReykjavikConsular@state.gov

https://is.usembassy.gov/

64 municipalities (sveitarfelog, singular - sveitarfelagidh); Akranes, Akureyri, Arneshreppur, Asahreppur, Blaskogabyggdh, Bolungarvik, Borgarbyggdh, Dalabyggdh, Dalvikurbyggdh, Eyjafjardharsveit, Eyja-og Miklaholtshreppur, Fjallabyggdh, Fjardhabyggdh, Fljotsdalshreppur, Floahreppur, Gardhabaer, Grimsnes-og Grafningshreppur, Grindavikurbaer, Grundarfjardharbaer, Grytubakkahreppur, Hafnarfjordhur, Horgarsveit, Hrunamannahreppur, Hunathing Vestra, Hunabyggdh, Hvalfjardharsveit, Hveragerdhi, Isafjardharbaer, Kaldrananeshreppur, Kjosarhreppur, Kopavogur, Langanesbyggdh, Mosfellsbaer, Mulathing, Myrdalshreppur, Nordhurthing, Rangarthing Eystra, Rangarthing Ytra, Reykholahreppur, Reykjanesbaer, Reykjavik, Seltjarnarnes, Skaftarhreppur, Skagabyggdh, Skagafjordhur, Skeidha-og Gnupverjahreppur, Skorradalshreppur, Snaefellsbaer, Strandabyggdh, Stykkisholmur, Sudhavikurhreppur, Sudhurnesjabaer, Svalbardhsstrandarhreppur, Sveitarfelagidh Arborg, Sveitarfelagidh Hornafjordhur, Sveitarfelagidh Olfus, Sveitarfelagidh Skagastrond, Sveitarfelagidh Vogar, Talknafjardharhreppur, Thingeyjarsveit, Tjorneshreppur, Vestmannaeyjar, Vesturbyggdh, Vopnafjardharhreppur

Name: Reykjavik

Geographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 W

Time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Etymology: The name means "smoky bay" in Icelandic and refers to the steam from the hot springs in the area

History: Several previous; latest ratified 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 (at independence)

Amendment process: Proposed by the Althingi; passage requires approval by the Althingi and by the next elected Althingi, and confirmation by the president of the republic; proposed amendments to Article 62 of the constitution – that the Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the state church of Iceland – also require passage by referendum

Chief of state: President Halla TOMASDOTTIR (since 1 August 2024)

Head of government: Prime Minister Kristrun FROSTADOTTIR (since 21 December 2024)

Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the prime minister

Election/appointment process: President directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 4-year term (no term limits); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition becomes prime minister

Most recent election date: 1 June 2024

Election results:
2024: Halla TOMASDOTTIR elected president; percent of vote - Halla TOMASDOTTIR (independent) 34.1%, Katrin JAKOBSDOTTIR (Left-Green Movement) 25.2%, Halla Hrund LOGADOTTIR (independent) 15.7%, Jon GNARR (Social Democratic Alliance) 10.1%, Baldur PORHALLSSON (independent) 8.4%, other 6.5%

2020: Gudni Thorlacius JOHANNESSON reelected president; percent of vote - Gudni Thorlacius JOHANNESSON (independent) 92.2%, Gudmundur Franklin JONSSON (independent) 7.8%

Expected date of next election: June 2028

Description: Blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the cross is shifted to the left in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)

Meaning: Red stands for the island's volcanic fires, white for the snow and ice fields, and blue for the ocean

1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark; birthday of Jon SIGURDSSON, leader of Iceland's 19th-century independence movement)

Highest court(s): Supreme Court or Haestirettur (consists of 7 judges)

Judge selection and term of office: Judges proposed by Ministry of Interior selection committee and appointed by the president for an indefinite period

Subordinate courts: Appellate Court or Landsrettur; 8 district courts; Labor Court

civil law system influenced by the Danish model

Legislature name: Parliament (Althingi)

Legislative structure: Unicameral

Number of seats: 63 (all directly elected)

Electoral system: Proportional representation

Scope of elections: Full renewal

Term in office: 4 years

Most recent election date: 11/30/2024

Parties elected and seats per party: Social Democratic Alliance (S) (15); Independence Party (D) (14); Liberal Reform Party (C) (11); People’s Party (F) (10); Center Party (M) (8); Progressive Party (B) (5)

Percentage of women in chamber: 46%

Expected date of next election: November 2028

Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence Day, 17 June (1944)

Center Party or M 
Independence Party or D 
Liberal Reform Party or C
People's Party or F
Progressive Party or B 
Social Democratic Alliance or S

18 years of age; universal

unitary parliamentary republic

Conventional long form: None

Conventional short form: Iceland

Local long form: None

Local short form: Island

Etymology: Floki VILGERDARSON, an early Norse explorer of the island in the 10th century, applied the name "Land of Ice," from the local words ís (ice) and land (land)

Chief of mission: Ambassador Svanhildur Hólm VALSDÓTTIR (since 18 September 2024)

Chancery: House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, #509, Washington, DC 20007

Telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653

FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656

Email address and website:
Washington@mfa.is

https://www.government.is/diplomatic-missions/embassy-of-iceland-in-washington-d.c/

Title: "Lofsongur" (Song of Praise)

Lyrics/music: Matthias JOCHUMSSON/Sveinbjorn SVEINBJORNSSON

History: Adopted 1918

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

gyrfalcon

Citizenship by birth: No

Citizenship by descent only: At least one parent must be a citizen of Iceland

Dual citizenship recognized: Yes

Residency requirement for naturalization: 3 to 7 years

Total World Heritage Sites: 3 (1 cultural, 2 natural)

Selected World Heritage Site locales: Thingvellir National Park (c); Surtsey (n); Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (n)

blue, white, red

8.8% (2017 est.)

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Lowest 10%: 3.7% (2018 est.)

Highest 10%: 21.7% (2018 est.)

Note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

aluminum, fish, orthopedic appliances, animal meal, iron alloys (2023)

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Netherlands 27%, Germany 11%, USA 10%, UK 8%, Norway 6% (2023)

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

milk, chicken, lamb/mutton, barley, potatoes, pork, beef, eggs, other meats, cucumbers/gherkins (2023)

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Revenues: $10.023 billion (2023 est.)

Expenditures: $10.364 billion (2023 est.)

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

refined petroleum, cars, carbon-based electronics, aluminum oxide, computers (2023)

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Icelandic kronur (ISK) per US dollar -

Exchange rates:
137.958 (2024 est.)
137.943 (2023 est.)
135.28 (2022 est.)
126.989 (2021 est.)
135.422 (2020 est.)

tourism, fish processing; aluminum smelting; geothermal power, hydropower; medical/pharmaceutical products

$33.463 billion (2024 est.)

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Household consumption: 49.3% (2023 est.)

Government consumption: 25.3% (2023 est.)

Investment in fixed capital: 24.8% (2023 est.)

Investment in inventories: 0.7% (2023 est.)

Exports of goods and services: 43.4% (2023 est.)

Imports of goods and services: -43.3% (2023 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Norway 11%, China 9%, Germany 9%, Netherlands 8%, USA 7% (2023)

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

248,400 (2024 est.)

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

$6.403 billion (2024 est.)
$5.809 billion (2023 est.)
$5.887 billion (2022 est.)

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

80.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

3.2% (2024 est.)
3.6% (2023 est.)
3.8% (2022 est.)

note: % of labor force seeking employment

23.3% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

$26.561 billion (2024 est.)
$26.424 billion (2023 est.)
$25.012 billion (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

5.9% (2024 est.)
8.7% (2023 est.)
8.3% (2022 est.)

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

-$845.319 million (2024 est.)
$290.603 million (2023 est.)
-$698.165 million (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

$65,600 (2024 est.)
$67,200 (2023 est.)
$65,500 (2022 est.)

note: data in 2021 dollars

$14.298 billion (2024 est.)
$13.63 billion (2023 est.)
$13.237 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

$13.916 billion (2024 est.)
$13.702 billion (2023 est.)
$13.114 billion (2022 est.)

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

0.5% (2024 est.)
5.6% (2023 est.)
9% (2022 est.)

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

-2.3% (2024 est.)

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Agriculture: 4% (2024 est.)

Industry: 19.4% (2024 est.)

Services: 65.5% (2024 est.)

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)

Consumption: 137,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports: 81 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports: 106,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Hydroelectricity: 70.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Geothermal: 29.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 19,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)

Installed generating capacity: 3.005 million kW (2023 est.)

Consumption: 19.584 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 543 million kWh (2023 est.)

Percent of population: 100% (2023 est.)

.is

state-owned public TV broadcaster (RUV) operates 21 TV channels nationally; every household is required to have RUV, which doubles as the emergency broadcast network; 3 privately owned TV stations; 100% of households have multi-channel services though digital and/or fiber-optic connections; RUV operates 3 national and 4 regional radio stations; 1 privately owned radio conglomerate, Syn (4 stations), broadcasts nationwide; over 20 regional radio stations (2019)

Total subscriptions: 478,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123 (2022 est.)

Total: 145,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2023 est.)

Total subscriptions: 82,000 (2023 est.)

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2023 est.)

TF

82 (2025)

Total: 39 (2023)

By type: General cargo 5, oil tanker 2, other 32

1 (2025)

no regular military forces; the Icelandic National Police, the regional police forces, and the Icelandic Coast Guard fall under the purview of the Ministry of Justice (2025)

Note: The Icelandic Coast Guard is responsible for operational defense tasks in Iceland including but not limited to operation of Keflavik Air Base, special security zones, and the Icelandic air defense system; it also coordinates with NATO in such areas as air surveillance and military defense exercises

Iceland was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949; Iceland is the only NATO member that has no standing military force; defense of Iceland remains a NATO commitment and NATO maintains an air policing presence in Icelandic airspace; Iceland participates in international peacekeeping missions with the civilian-manned Icelandic Crisis Response Unit (ICRU)

Iceland cooperates with the militaries of other Nordic countries through the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO, established 2009), which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden; areas of cooperation include armaments, education, human resources, training and exercises, and operations

In 1951, Iceland and the US concluded an agreement to make arrangements regarding the defense of Iceland and for the use of facilities in Iceland to that end; the agreement, along with NATO membership, is one of the two pillars of Iceland‘s security policy; since 2007 Iceland has concluded cooperation agreements with Canada, Denmark, Norway, and the UK which entail dialogue on security and defense issues as well as situational awareness and search and rescue; it also has regular consultations with Germany and France  (2025)

the Icelandic Coast Guard's inventory consists of equipment from mostly European suppliers (2024)

Refugees: 8,960 (2024 est.)

IDPs: 3,700 (2024 est.)

Stateless persons: 31 (2024 est.)

Total global geoparks and regional networks: 2

Global geoparks and regional networks: Katla; Reykjanes (2023)

Total ports: 43 (2024)

Large: 0

Medium: 2

Small: 2

Very small: 17

Size unknown: 22

Ports with oil terminals: 5

Key ports: Grundartangi, Reykjavik, Seydhisfjordhur, Vestmannaeyjar

26.6 (2018 est.)

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality