Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 06 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Iceland: Development & Human Capital
Is a country turning its resources into better lives?
Iceland is placed 14th of 196 countries on development & human capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Social Protection Coverage 81.9 (2025); Maternal Mortality Ratio 3.02 (2023).
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Development & Human Capital
14th
of 196 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Iceland on development & human capital — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 2 of 3
Maternal Mortality Ratio
UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
3.02
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Lower is better
Iceland: 3.02. Across the 195 countries in this edition, values run from 0.11 (Cook Islands) to 992.83 (Nigeria); the world median is 46.65.
- World median
- 46.65
- Best in Northern Europe
- 1.31 Norway
Key 3 of 3
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report Office
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
0.972
HDI score (0–1)
Higher is better
Ranked 1st of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office
Iceland: 0.972. Across the 193 countries in this edition, values run from 0.388 (South Sudan) to 0.972 (Iceland); the world median is 0.762.
- World median
- 0.762
- Best in Northern Europe
- 0.972 Iceland
02Over time
Which way Iceland is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Maternal Mortality Ratio
Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births · lower is better
IcelandWorld median
Iceland fell from 6.53 in 2000 to 3.02 in 2023; the world median went from 70.99 to 46.65.
Every year’s figures
Year Iceland World median 2023 3.02 46.7 2022 5.13 53.0 2021 5.34 76.6 2020 11.75 56.0 2019 4.03 48.4 2018 3.96 49.3 2017 3.11 47.2 2016 3.35 50.6 2015 3.98 51.9 2014 4.20 52.8 2013 4.15 53.3 2012 3.86 54.6 2011 3.81 55.0 2010 4.61 56.1 2009 4.73 56.3 2008 4.47 55.8 2007 4.58 56.8 2006 4.75 58.1 2005 5.09 60.1 2004 5.85 63.0 2003 5.54 66.8 2002 7.18 66.0 2001 6.40 68.1 2000 6.53 71.0 Human Development Index
HDI score (0–1) · higher is better
IcelandWorld median
Iceland rose from 0.902 in 2000 to 0.972 in 2023; the world median went from 0.672 to 0.762.
Every year’s figures
Year Iceland World median 2023 0.972 0.7620 2022 0.964 0.7610 2021 0.967 0.7450 2020 0.965 0.7425 2019 0.969 0.7515 2018 0.966 0.7520 2017 0.962 0.7480 2016 0.959 0.7500 2015 0.956 0.7430 2014 0.954 0.7410 2013 0.950 0.7390 2012 0.946 0.7350 2011 0.941 0.7250 2010 0.935 0.7250 2009 0.934 0.7220 2008 0.935 0.7180 2007 0.941 0.7100 2006 0.936 0.7045 2005 0.935 0.6960 2004 0.928 0.6960 2003 0.925 0.6910 2002 0.917 0.6845 2001 0.910 0.6770 2000 0.902 0.6720
03In context
Iceland beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 196 countries on development & human capital, never a place within the region.
Iceland and Northern Europe
Iceland has no land border, so the table compares it with its sub-region. Standing among all 196; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Social Protection CoveragePopulation covered by at least one social protection benefit (%) | Maternal Mortality RatioMaternal deaths per 100,000 live births | Human Development IndexHDI score (0–1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Norway | 2nd | 99.3 | 1.31 | 0.97 |
 Denmark | 3rd | 100 | 3.67 | 0.962 |
 Sweden | 5th | 100 | 4.03 | 0.959 |
 Ireland | 6th | 100 | 3.79 | 0.949 |
| Iceland | 14th | 81.9 | 3.02 | 0.972 |
 Finland | =16th | 100 | 7.88 | 0.948 |
 Estonia | 22nd | 97 | 4.96 | 0.905 |
 United Kingdom | 25th | 93.6 | 8.31 | 0.946 |
 Lithuania | 29th | 99.9 | 7.67 | 0.895 |
 Latvia | 41st | 99.4 | 18.72 | 0.889 |
| Channel Islands | not placed | — | — | — |
 Faroe Islands | not placed | — | — | — |
 Isle of Man | not placed | 100 | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 196.
Placed either side on development & human capital
The countries immediately above and below Iceland in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Iceland is ahead of the world, and behind
37 more statistics filed under development & human capital, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median32
Statistics on which Iceland does better than the middle country measured.
Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 72.8399.8572.83No real change since 2021
Iceland: 99.85 · world median 72.83 · Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14.83 to 99.85; higher is better.
Position 1st of 139 · derived.
Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6090.9230.609No real change since 2013
Iceland: 0.923 · world median 0.609 · IHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.226 to 0.923; higher is better.
Position 1st of 169 · derived.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.213.99310.21No real change since 2010
Iceland: 3.993 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 158th of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8580.4842.858No real change since 2014
Iceland: 0.484 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 199th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coefficient of Human InequalityUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 17.054.98617.05No real change since 2013
Iceland: 4.986 · world median 17.05 · Coefficient of Human Inequality (%). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.865 to 43.08; lower is better.
Position 168th of 169 · derived, 1st = worst.
Foundational ID OwnershipWorld Bank Group (ID4D) · 2024 · world median 94.410094.4No real change since 2021
Iceland: 100 · world median 94.4 · Adults who own a foundational ID (% of population aged 15+). World Bank Group (ID4D), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 42.62 to 100; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230586,97625,230No real change since 2010
Iceland: 586,976 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 151 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,4861,032,40946,486▲ Improved since 2010
Iceland: 1,032,409 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 150 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.93313.919.933▲ Improved since 2013
Iceland: 13.91 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 4th of 193 · derived.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.0240.351No real change since 2013
Iceland: 0.024 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 7th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1632.0428.163▼ Worsened since 2013
Iceland: 2.042 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 191st of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3418.8513.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Iceland: 18.85 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 10th of 195 · derived.
Multidimensional Poverty MeasureWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 4.2520.1074.252No earlier reading
Iceland: 0.107 · world median 4.252 · Multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 87.96; lower is better.
Position 150th of 157 · derived, 1st = worst.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.262.12312.26▼ Worsened since 2014
Iceland: 2.123 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 189th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
GDP per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 17,26568,06517,265▲ Improved since 2015
Iceland: 68,065 · world median 17,265 · GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,067 to 139,593; higher is better.
Position 14th of 185 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6764.7646.67No real change since 2012
Iceland: 64.76 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 16th of 195 · derived.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1341.4238.134▼ Worsened since 2014
Iceland: 1.423 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 184th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Under-Five Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 14.542.8214.54▼ Worsened since 2014
Iceland: 2.82 · world median 14.54 · Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.26 to 115.65; lower is better.
Position 182nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at BirthUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 74.6382.6974.63No real change since 2013
Iceland: 82.69 · world median 74.63 · Years a newborn would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 54.46 to 86.37; higher is better.
Position 22nd of 222 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.99445.9No earlier reading
Iceland: 94 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,89042,14612,890No real change since 2012
Iceland: 42,146 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 21st of 166 · derived.
Completeness of Birth RegistrationUNICEF · 2025 · world median 98.410098.4No earlier reading
Iceland: 100 · world median 98.4 · Children under 5 whose birth is registered (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.7 to 100; higher is better.
Disability Benefit CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 43.910043.9No earlier reading
Iceland: 100 · world median 43.9 · People with severe disabilities receiving disability benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Poverty Headcount at $3.00 a Day, Line-up EstimatesWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.10.082.1▼ Worsened since 2014
Iceland: 0.08 · world median 2.1 · Population below $3.00 a day, 2021 PPP, World Bank line-up estimate (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 89.54; lower is better.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.7450.564No real change since 2010
Iceland: 0.745 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 27th of 172 · derived.
Child and Family Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 23.7574.723.75No earlier reading
Iceland: 74.7 · world median 23.75 · Children or households with children receiving child or family cash benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.7350.678▼ Worsened since 2013
Iceland: 0.735 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 41st of 156 · derived.
Statistical Performance IndicatorsWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 69.381.4769.3No real change since 2016
Iceland: 81.47 · world median 69.3 · SPI overall score (0–100). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 27.12 to 94.14; higher is better.
Position 59th of 188 · derived.
Gender Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.9710.9830.971▲ Improved since 2013
Iceland: 0.983 · world median 0.971 · Gender Development Index (1.000 = parity). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.407 to 1.038; higher is better.
Position 61st of 184 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 909490▲ Improved since 2015
Iceland: 94 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Official Development Assistance Given (% of GNI)OECD Development Assistance Committee · 2025 · world median 0.270.340.27▲ Improved since 2018
Iceland: 0.34 · world median 0.27 · ODA given (% of the provider's GNI, grant equivalent). OECD Development Assistance Committee, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.05 to 1.03; higher is better.
Old-Age Pension CoverageILO · 2025 · world median 80.882.480.8No earlier reading
Iceland: 82.4 · world median 80.8 · People above statutory pensionable age receiving an old-age pension (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Behind the world median2
Statistics on which Iceland does worse than the middle country measured.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 919091▲ Improved since 2015
Iceland: 90 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Cereal YieldFAO · 2023 · world median 3,0722,4303,072▼ Worsened since 2015
Iceland: 2,430 · world median 3,072 · Cereal yield (kg per hectare). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 23 to 29,147; higher is better.
Position 105th of 179 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare2
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Iceland: 100 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 100100100▼ Worsened since 2014
Iceland: 100 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
No better end1
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.268.52911.26Moved since 2015
Iceland: 8.529 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 89th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Iceland
Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour Benefits, Child Marriage, Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, GNI per Capita (PPP) (last 2024), Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Net Official Development Assistance Received, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day (last 2019), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day (last 2019), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day (last 2019), Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day (last 2019), Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day (last 2019), Prosperity Gap (last 2019), Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, Unemployment Benefit Coverage, Violent Discipline of Children and Wasting Prevalence in Children Under Five. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Development & Human Capital among Iceland’s 16 topics
Development & Human Capital is Iceland’s 8th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Peace & Security1st of 1773/4 keys
- Work & Labour1st of 1824/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation4th of 1763/4 keys
- Energy5th of 1653/3 keys
- Risk & Resilience8th of 1934/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality8th of 1593/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties11th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital14th of 1963/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing15th of 2003/4 keys
- Governance & Institutionsjoint 19th of 1944/4 keys
- Gender & Equality37th of 1833/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge56th of 1983/4 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 68th of 1984/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture70th of 1844/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade93rd of 1774/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 118th of 1863/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on development & human capital
The three countries placed highest of 196, and the leaders Iceland can most readily be measured against.
1
Cook IslandsPolynesia
1st of 196 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Benedict Adam · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
2NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3DenmarkNorthern Europe
3rd of 196 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: User:Aconcagua · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Norway2nd3/3 keysThis page
Iceland14th3/3 keys
Positions out of 196 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Iceland and development & human capital
On development & human capital
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On development & human capital
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
08Questions
Iceland on development & human capital: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Iceland rank on development & human capital?
Iceland is placed 14th of 196 countries on Development & Human Capital in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Social Protection Coverage, Maternal Mortality Ratio and Human Development Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Social Protection Coverage figure for Iceland?
81.9 in 2025 (population covered by at least one social protection benefit (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 52.1.
What is the latest Maternal Mortality Ratio figure for Iceland?
3.02 in 2023 (maternal deaths per 100,000 live births), according to UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG). The world median in the same edition was 46.65.
How have Iceland’s development & human capital figures changed?
Maternal Mortality Ratio fell from 6.53 in 2000 to 3.02 in 2023; Human Development Index rose from 0.902 in 2000 to 0.972 in 2023.
Which development & human capital statistics are missing for Iceland?
No current reading is published for Iceland on Adequacy of Social Protection and Labour Benefits, Child Marriage, Children with Functional Difficulties, Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six Months, Global Multidimensional Poverty Index, GNI per Capita (PPP), Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax), Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum), Net Official Development Assistance Received, Poverty Gap at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $3.00 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $4.20 a Day, Poverty Headcount Ratio at $8.30 a Day, Poverty Severity (Squared Poverty Gap) at $3.00 a Day, Prosperity Gap, Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, Unemployment Benefit Coverage, Violent Discipline of Children and Wasting Prevalence in Children Under Five. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Poverty lines, inequality and aid received are published here as context rather than as keys, often because they cover fewer countries or are measured too rarely. Development is also not the same as economic size or growth, which belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Development & Human Capital standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The development & human capital method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Social Protection Coverage — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Maternal Mortality Ratio — UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Human Development Index — UNDP Human Development Report Office, CC BY 3.0 IGO
The other 37 statistics on this page come from 13 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Iceland’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Iceland (banner) — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Cook Islands — Benedict Adam, CC BY 2.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Denmark — User:Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Iceland: Development & Human Capital — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/iceland/development