Labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) in Iceland
Iceland: Labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) was 237.78 in 2025. ▲ Rising
Labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) in Iceland, 1995–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2025, labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Iceland stood at 237.78.
The figure is down 0.1% on the previous year and up 24.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Iceland peaked at 238 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 144.7, in 1997.
Iceland ranks 73rd of 77 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 (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+) in Iceland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 147.4 | — |
| 1996 | 145.52 | -1.3% |
| 1997 | 144.7 | -0.6% |
| 1998 | 149.2 | +3.1% |
| 1999 | 154 | +3.2% |
| 2000 | 159.67 | +3.7% |
| 2001 | 161.07 | +0.9% |
| 2002 | 161.24 | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 164.03 | +1.7% |
| 2004 | 162.95 | -0.7% |
| 2005 | 164.03 | +0.7% |
| 2006 | 172.74 | +5.3% |
| 2007 | 179.57 | +4.0% |
| 2008 | 182.43 | +1.6% |
| 2009 | 179.17 | -1.8% |
| 2010 | 179.32 | +0.1% |
| 2011 | 178.53 | -0.4% |
| 2012 | 178.61 | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 183.08 | +2.5% |
| 2014 | 186.76 | +2.0% |
| 2015 | 191.26 | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 196.32 | +2.6% |
| 2017 | 199.34 | +1.5% |
| 2018 | 203.85 | +2.3% |
| 2019 | 208.32 | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 205.81 | -1.2% |
| 2021 | 209.64 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 218.68 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | 228.34 | +4.4% |
| 2024 | 238 | +4.2% |
| 2025 | 237.78 | -0.1% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 237.78 is below the median for high income countries, which is 3,307, 7% of the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 237.78 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 3,307, 7% of the median. (37 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 148.16 | 144.7 | 154 | 5 |
| 2000s | 168.69 | 159.67 | 182.43 | 10 |
| 2010s | 190.54 | 178.53 | 208.32 | 10 |
| 2020s | 223.04 | 205.81 | 238 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
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 (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Iceland?
- Labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) in Iceland was 237.78 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 238 in 2024.
- What is the lowest labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 144.7 in 1997.
- How does Iceland rank for labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13)?
- Iceland ranks 73rd out of 77 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labour force (previous ilo definition - icls13) rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Iceland data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Labour force (previous ILO definition - ICLS13) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 31 observations, free to reuse under ILO Terms of Use (attribution required).
About this data
The labour force is the sum of all persons of working age who are employed and those who are unemployed. For more information, refer to the International Labour Migration Statistics (ILMS) database description.