People & economy

Iceland: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Iceland: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Population & Geography

Population
353,574
#173 of 197 countries
Area
103,000 km²
#109 of 248 countries
Density
3.4 / km²
#235 of 245 countries

Iceland has a population of 353,574 spread across 103,000 km², giving it an average density of 3.4 people per km². With such low density, expect wide open spaces and a sense of remoteness outside major cities.

Demographics

Median Age
38.2
Life Expectancy
84.0 yrs
Government
unitary parliamentary republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Iceland is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 101% of US levels, meaning this is an expensive destination where budgeting carefully is advisable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$82,139
Cost of Living
101% of US
Inflation
8.7%
Inequality
26.6
Low
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$65,600
Unemployment
3.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 11.9% of Iceland's total exports, making it a significant contributor to the economy with solid visitor infrastructure.

Tourism % of Exports
11.9%
Outbound Tourists
130,000
Air Passengers
4,342,331
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Iceland there are 4.37 doctors per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
4.37/1k
Hospital Beds
2.83/1k
Health Spend
$7642/person
Infant Mortality
1.9/1k
Immunization
97%
Safe Drinking Water
100.0%
Basic Sanitation
98.8%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Iceland, 100% of the population uses the internet, so expect WiFi in most hotels, cafes and public spaces. There are 123 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
99.8%
Mobile Subs
123/100
Broadband
37.4/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data