Labour force by citizenship in Iceland
Iceland: Labour force by citizenship was 236.2 Thousand persons in 2025. ▲ Rising
Latest (2025)
236.2 Thousand persons
Change on year
down 0.3%
World rank
47th
of 47 countries
All-time high
237 Thousand persons
in 2024
All-time low
144.7 Thousand persons
in 1997
Years of data
31
1995–2025
Labour force by citizenship in Iceland, 1995–2025
Source: Eurostat. Measured in Thousand persons.
Analysis
Iceland recorded 236.2 Thousand persons for labour force by citizenship in 2025.
The figure is down 0.3% on the previous year and up 23.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour force by citizenship in Iceland peaked at 237 Thousand persons in 2024 and was at its lowest, 144.7 Thousand persons, in 1997.
Iceland ranks 47th of 47 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 31 years of available data.
Labour force by citizenship in Iceland, year by year
| Year | Thousand persons | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 147.4 Thousand persons | — |
| 1996 | 145.5 Thousand persons | -1.3% |
| 1997 | 144.7 Thousand persons | -0.5% |
| 1998 | 149.2 Thousand persons | +3.1% |
| 1999 | 154 Thousand persons | +3.2% |
| 2000 | 159.7 Thousand persons | +3.7% |
| 2001 | 161.1 Thousand persons | +0.9% |
| 2002 | 161.2 Thousand persons | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 164 Thousand persons | +1.7% |
| 2004 | 162.9 Thousand persons | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 164 Thousand persons | +0.7% |
| 2006 | 172.7 Thousand persons | +5.3% |
| 2007 | 179.6 Thousand persons | +4.0% |
| 2008 | 182.4 Thousand persons | +1.6% |
| 2009 | 179.2 Thousand persons | -1.8% |
| 2010 | 179.3 Thousand persons | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 178.5 Thousand persons | -0.4% |
| 2012 | 178.6 Thousand persons | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 183.1 Thousand persons | +2.5% |
| 2014 | 186.8 Thousand persons | +2.0% |
| 2015 | 191.3 Thousand persons | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 196.3 Thousand persons | +2.6% |
| 2017 | 199.3 Thousand persons | +1.5% |
| 2018 | 203.9 Thousand persons | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 208.3 Thousand persons | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 205.8 Thousand persons | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 208.6 Thousand persons | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 217.7 Thousand persons | +4.4% |
| 2023 | 227.3 Thousand persons | +4.4% |
| 2024 | 237 Thousand persons | +4.3% |
| 2025 | 236.2 Thousand persons | -0.3% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 236.2 Thousand persons is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 3,201 Thousand persons, 7% of the median. (34 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 236.2 Thousand persons is below the median for high income countries, which is 4,752 Thousand persons, 5% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 148.16 Thousand persons | 144.7 Thousand persons | 154 Thousand persons | 5 |
| 2000s | 168.68 Thousand persons | 159.7 Thousand persons | 182.4 Thousand persons | 10 |
| 2010s | 190.54 Thousand persons | 178.5 Thousand persons | 208.3 Thousand persons | 10 |
| 2020s | 222.1 Thousand persons | 205.8 Thousand persons | 237 Thousand persons | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
- 44 Luxembourg 350.4 Thousand persons compare
- 45 Malta 338.7 Thousand persons compare
- 46 Montenegro 266.6 Thousand persons compare
More work & labour data for Iceland
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.4964 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.4501 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.5492 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.37 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.2312 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 373.77 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 16.3 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 169.5 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 193.08 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 362.58 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labour force by citizenship in Iceland?
- Labour force by citizenship in Iceland was 236.2 Thousand persons in 2025, according to Eurostat.
- What is the highest labour force by citizenship recorded in Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 237 Thousand persons in 2024.
- What is the lowest labour force by citizenship recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 144.7 Thousand persons in 1997.
- How does Iceland rank for labour force by citizenship?
- Iceland ranks 47th out of 47 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labour force by citizenship rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iceland data come from?
- The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Labour force by citizenship. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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