People and Society of Iceland

Nationality

Icelander(s)

Ethnic Groups

homogeneous mixture of descendants of Norse and Celts 94%, population of foreign origin 6%

Population

376,248

Population in Major Urban Areas

REYKJAVIK (capital) 206,000

Medical care in Iceland is of high quality, but limited services are available outside of large urban areas. For emergency medical assistance anywhere in the country, dial 112. For non-emergency medical assistance in the Reykjavik metropolitan area dial 544-4114 during business hours. Outside of normal business hours, dial 1770. The nurse who answers will do one of three things: offer advice on how to handle the problem on your own, suggest that you come to an after-hours clinic, or send a physician to you for a house call. The Icelandic medical system does not offer coverage to people who do not live in Iceland. Nonresidents are expected to pay their own medical costs and you should be prepared to pay your bill in full before leaving the hospital or clinic.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Iceland consistently ranks among the world's leaders in life expectancy, reflecting the country's high standard of living, universal healthcare access, and healthy lifestyle habits. As of the most recent data, the average life expectancy at birth in Iceland is approximately 83 to 84 years, with women typically living longer than men. Icelandic women have an average life expectancy of around 85 to 86 years, while men average approximately 81 to 82 years. Several factors contribute to Iceland's exceptional longevity. The country benefits from a robust universal healthcare system that provides comprehensive medical services to all residents, emphasizing preventive care and early intervention. Iceland also maintains relatively low rates of obesity compared to many other developed nations, and its population enjoys a diet traditionally rich in fish and seafood, which supports cardiovascular health. Environmental quality plays a meaningful role as well. Iceland's air is among the cleanest in the world, largely due to the country's reliance on geothermal and hydroelectric energy rather than fossil fuels. Pollution-related health burdens that affect life expectancy in many industrialized nations are significantly reduced in Iceland as a result. Social stability and economic equality are additional contributors. Iceland consistently scores highly on measures of income equality and social cohesion, both of which are strongly associated with positive population health outcomes. The country also invests heavily in education and public health infrastructure, reinforcing long-term improvements in quality of life. Iceland's infant mortality rate is extremely low, at roughly 1 to 2 deaths per 1,000 live births, which also bolsters overall life expectancy at birth figures. The country has maintained its position among the top-performing nations globally for decades, and the trend has remained stable or has continued to improve over time. When compared globally, Iceland frequently places among the top five to ten countries worldwide for life expectancy, alongside nations such as Japan, Switzerland, and Australia. This consistent performance underscores the effectiveness of Iceland's public health model and the broader social conditions that support a long and healthy life for its citizens.

Infant Mortality Rate

Iceland consistently ranks among the countries with the lowest infant mortality rates in the world, reflecting its exceptional healthcare infrastructure, high standard of living, and strong public health policies. The infant mortality rate measures the number of deaths of children under one year of age per 1,000 live births, and Iceland's figures in this category are among the most impressive globally. In recent years, Iceland's infant mortality rate has hovered around 1 to 2 deaths per 1,000 live births, placing it in the same tier as other Nordic nations such as Finland, Norway, and Sweden, all of which are recognized global leaders in child health outcomes. For context, the global average infant mortality rate is approximately 27 to 28 deaths per 1,000 live births, making Iceland's rate dramatically lower than the worldwide norm. Several factors contribute to this achievement. Iceland provides universal access to prenatal and postnatal healthcare, ensuring that expectant mothers receive comprehensive medical attention throughout pregnancy and after birth. The country has a highly trained medical workforce, well-equipped hospitals, and robust systems for monitoring maternal and neonatal health. Breastfeeding support programs, newborn screening initiatives, and vaccination coverage rates that consistently approach 100% all contribute to keeping infant mortality exceptionally low. Iceland's small population — roughly 370,000 to 380,000 people — means that even a handful of infant deaths in a given year can cause slight statistical fluctuation in the annual rate. In some years, the country has recorded rates approaching zero, though demographers typically note that small population sizes can make year-to-year comparisons less statistically stable than in larger nations. Socioeconomic conditions also play a significant role. Iceland has low levels of poverty, high educational attainment among women, generous parental leave policies, and strong social safety nets — all of which are closely correlated with positive infant health outcomes internationally. Overall, Iceland's infant mortality statistics serve as a benchmark for what is achievable when universal healthcare access, social equality, and investment in maternal and child health are sustained national priorities.

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Learning

Education is Compulsory from the age of 7 to 16 Grades 1-9, preschool is available for children ages 5 or 6. Schooling is free and textbooks are provided by the local authority. The standardized curriculum provides a grounding in the principal subjects. Danish is taught from the fourth grade and English from the sixth grade. Swimming is an obligatory part of the curriculum. At the end of ninth grade, a standardized test along with the school's record of assessment is used to select what institution a young Iceland should go to next. Students may go on to grammar or comprehensive school for four years. Ages 17 to 20 or to vocational school. Iceland has two universities. Both are state funded and the tuition is free.

• Evangelical Lutheran87.1%
• other7.1%
• other Protestant4.1%
• Roman Catholic1.7%

Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German widely spoken

Icelandic is part of the North Germanic branches of languages, and so is most closely related to Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Faroese Icelandic is based on the Latin alphabet, with the addition of Þ, ð, æ, and the diacritics á, é, í, ó, ú and ö Icelandic developed into a distinct Scandinavian language around the 12th century.

• German
• Icelandic

Crime Information

Iceland has a low crime rate with rare instances of violent crime; however, common sense does apply. Do not put any bags containing valuables, such as your passport, down on the floor in bars or nightclubs. Do not leave your valuables in parked vehicles, even if the vehicle is locked. In addition, be aware that downtown Reykjavik can become disorderly in the late night to early morning hours on weekends as people are leaving bars and clubs. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Iceland you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. Iceland’s drunk-driving laws are very strict. Penalties for possessing, using or trafficking in illegal drugs in Iceland are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Iceland, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not at your destination. Some activities that might be legal in the country you visit are still illegal in the United States. While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas. IMPORTATION OF WHALE MEAT TO THE United States: All persons are barred from importing whale meat to the United States. Even though whale meat is sold throughout Iceland, the Marine Mammal Protection Act makes it illegal to bring back whale meat into the U.S. Any importation of whale meat to the U.S. will result in the seizure of the goods and possible criminal prosecution. Penalties include jail time and fines of up to $10,000.