Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Iceland

Iceland: Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment was 8,500 Persons in 2024. ▲ Rising

Latest (2024)
8,500 Persons
Change on year
up 6.2%
World rank
46th
of 46 countries
All-time high
13,600 Persons
in 2010
All-time low
3,000 Persons
in 2001
Years of data
30
1995–2024

Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Iceland, 1995–2024

2.5k5.0k7.5k10.0k12.5k1995200920241995: 7.2k Persons1996: 5.5k Persons1997: 5.7k Persons1998: 4.1k Persons1999: 3.4k Persons2000: 3.1k Persons2001: 3.0k Persons2002: 4.8k Persons2003: 6.6k Persons2004: 6.6k Persons2005: 4.2k Persons2006: 4.9k Persons2007: 4.0k Persons2008: 5.4k Persons2009: 12.9k Persons2010: 13.6k Persons2011: 12.5k Persons2012: 10.7k Persons2013: 9.8k Persons2014: 9.1k Persons2015: 7.6k Persons2016: 5.8k Persons2017: 5.5k Persons2018: 5.5k Persons2019: 7.3k Persons2020: 11.3k Persons2021: 12.6k Persons2022: 8.3k Persons2023: 8.0k Persons2024: 8.5k Persons

Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Measured in Persons.

Analysis

The most recent figure for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Iceland is 8,500 Persons, measured in 2024.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 6.2% on the previous year and down 6.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Iceland peaked at 13,600 Persons in 2010 and was at its lowest, 3,000 Persons, in 2001.

That places Iceland 46th out of 46 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 30 years of available data.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 5,180 Persons 3,400 Persons 7,200 Persons 5
2000s 5,550 Persons 3,000 Persons 12,900 Persons 10
2010s 8,740 Persons 5,500 Persons 13,600 Persons 10
2020s 9,740 Persons 8,000 Persons 12,600 Persons 5

Countries ranked near Iceland

  1. 43 Slovenia 40,200 Persons compare
  2. 44 Luxembourg 22,700 Persons compare
  3. 45 Malta 10,400 Persons compare

See the full ranking of 54 places →

More work & labour data for Iceland

All data for Iceland →

Frequently asked questions

What is labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Iceland?
Labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment in Iceland was 8,500 Persons in 2024, according to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
What is the highest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in Iceland?
The highest recorded value was 13,600 Persons in 2010.
What is the lowest labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment recorded in Iceland?
The lowest recorded value was 3,000 Persons in 2001.
How does Iceland rank for labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment?
Iceland ranks 46th out of 46 countries with data for 2024.
Is labour indicators levels - regions — unemployment rising or falling in Iceland?
Over the last ten years it is down 6.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Iceland data come from?
The figures come from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, published as part of Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment in Iceland. Statizoid, drawing on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Retrieved 17 August 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/labour-indicators-levels-regions-unemployment/iceland/

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About this data

Indicator
Labour indicators levels - Regions — Unemployment
Unit
Persons
Source
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Licence
OECD Terms and Conditions (attribution required)
Coverage
54 places, 1,325 data points, 1995–2025
Last refreshed

<p>This dataset presents indicators on the size of the labour force, employment, and unemployment in large regions (TL2) and, where available, in small regions (TL3).</p> <p><strong>Data definition and source</strong></p> <p>The labour force status is presented by sex, for 15-64 year-olds and 15+ year-olds age ranges, the latter having less country coverage. Data is based on a labour force survey using ILO guidelines and collected from Eurostat (reg_lmk) for EU countries and via delegates of the OECD Working Party on Territorial Indicators (WPTI), as well as from national statistical offices' websites.</p> <p><strong>Definition of regions</strong></p> <p>Regions are subnational units below national boundaries. OECD countries have two regional levels: large regions (territorial level 2 or TL2) and small regions (territorial level 3 or TL3). For more information, see the OECD Territorial grid <a href="https://webfs-cfe.oecd.org/files/.Stat/region/OECD_territorial-grid_TL2024.pdf">(pdf)</a> and the OECD Territorial Correspondence Table <a href="https://webfs-cfe.oecd.org/files/.Stat/region/OECD%20Territorial%20correspondence%20-%20TL2024c.xlsx">(xlsx)</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Cite this dataset</strong></p> <p>OECD Regions, Cities and Local Areas database&nbsp;<a href="http://oe.cd/geostats">http://oe.cd/geostats</a>.</p> <p><strong>Further information</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://regions-cities-atlas.oecd.org/">OECD Regions and Cities Statistical Atlas</a>&nbsp;</li> <li><a href="https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-regions-and-cities-at-a-glance-2024_f42db3bf-en.html">OECD Regions and Cities at a Glance</a></li> </ul> <p>For questions and/or comments, please email <a href="mailto:RegionStat@oecd.org">RegionStat@oecd.org</a>.</p>