Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Iceland

Iceland: Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction was 20.5% in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
20.5%
Change on year
down 1.9%
World rank
24th
of 35 countries
All-time high
46.8%
in 2009
All-time low
20.5%
in 2021
Years of data
5
2009–2021

Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Iceland, 2009–2021

010203040502009201520212009: 46.8 Percentage2010: 29.2 Percentage2011: 29.2 Percentage2020: 20.9 Percentage2021: 20.5 Percentage

Source: Eurostat. Measured in Percentage.

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Iceland is 20.5%, measured in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.

The figure is down 1.9% on the previous year and down 29.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Iceland peaked at 46.8% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 20.5%, in 2021.

Iceland ranks 24th of 35 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Iceland, year by year

Annual values for Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction registration/benefits in Iceland, 2009 to 2021.
Year Percentage Change
2009 46.8%
2010 29.2% -37.6%
2011 29.2% +0.0%
2020 20.9% -28.4%
2021 20.5% -1.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 46.8% 46.8% 46.8% 1
2010s 29.2% 29.2% 29.2% 2
2020s 20.7% 20.5% 20.9% 2

Countries ranked near Iceland

  1. 22 Croatia 20.7% compare
  2. 22 Croatia 20.7% compare
  3. 25 Portugal 20.0% compare
  4. 26 Belgium 16.2% compare
  5. 27 Poland 14.0% compare
  6. 27 Poland 14.0% compare

See the full ranking of 37 places →

More work & labour data for Iceland

All data for Iceland →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Iceland?
Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Iceland was 20.5% in 2021, according to Eurostat.
What is the highest unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction recorded in Iceland?
The highest recorded value was 46.8% in 2009.
What is the lowest unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction recorded in Iceland?
The lowest recorded value was 20.5% in 2021.
How does Iceland rank for unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction?
Iceland ranks 24th out of 35 countries with data for 2021.
Is unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction rising or falling in Iceland?
Over the last ten years it is down 29.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Iceland data come from?
The figures come from Eurostat, published as part of Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction registration/benefits. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction in Iceland. Statizoid, drawing on Eurostat. Retrieved 06 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployed-persons-by-duration-of-unemployment-and-distinction-registration-benefits/iceland/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment and distinction registration/benefits
Unit
Percentage
Source
Eurostat
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Eurostat)
Coverage
37 places, 831 data points, 1983–2025
Last refreshed