Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Iceland: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Iceland is placed 1st of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 72.21 (2025); Labour Income Share 63.63 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
1st
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Iceland on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
72.21
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Iceland: 72.21. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Northern Europe
- 72.21 Iceland
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
3.625
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Iceland: 3.625. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Northern Europe
- 3.625 Iceland
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
8.397
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Iceland: 8.397. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Northern Europe
- 4.166 Norway
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.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
IcelandWorld median
Iceland fell from 76.36 in 2000 to 72.21 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Iceland World median 2025 72.21 57.720 2024 72.45 57.694 2023 72.12 58.158 2022 71.65 57.688 2021 68.99 56.066 2020 69.53 55.691 2019 73.04 57.871 2018 73.92 56.911 2017 74.78 56.738 2016 75.11 56.845 2015 73.63 56.788 2014 72.25 56.774 2013 70.87 56.229 2012 69.82 56.289 2011 68.97 56.297 2010 69.04 56.212 2009 69.43 56.255 2008 74.17 57.308 2007 75.42 56.933 2006 74.71 56.685 2005 73.80 56.129 2004 73.24 55.465 2003 74.14 55.630 2002 74.43 55.843 2001 76.32 56.018 2000 76.36 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
IcelandWorld median
Iceland fell from 67.97 in 2004 to 63.63 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Iceland World median 2025 63.627 46.230 2024 64.153 46.060 2023 64.310 45.900 2022 64.439 45.615 2021 66.599 45.433 2020 67.298 47.267 2019 68.821 46.277 2018 67.788 46.187 2017 67.791 46.467 2016 62.851 46.798 2015 63.486 46.876 2014 66.168 47.281 2013 65.795 46.887 2012 65.444 46.231 2011 62.622 45.679 2010 59.103 46.024 2009 57.659 47.071 2008 66.504 45.312 2007 73.464 45.246 2006 72.651 45.670 2005 71.439 46.265 2004 67.974 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
IcelandWorld median
Iceland rose from 1.936 in 2000 to 3.625 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Iceland World median 2025 3.63 5.08 2024 3.60 5.15 2023 3.52 5.21 2022 3.79 5.34 2021 6.03 6.04 2020 5.48 6.38 2019 3.51 5.36 2018 2.70 5.35 2017 2.74 5.59 2016 2.98 5.90 2015 3.98 6.41 2014 4.90 6.58 2013 5.38 6.71 2012 6.00 6.79 2011 7.03 6.90 2010 7.56 7.04 2009 7.22 6.67 2008 2.95 5.79 2007 2.25 6.00 2006 2.83 6.50 2005 2.55 7.09 2004 4.03 6.80 2003 4.00 6.95 2002 2.99 6.91 2001 1.87 6.96 2000 1.94 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
IcelandWorld median
Iceland fell from 11.81 in 2000 to 8.397 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Iceland World median 2025 8.3973 28.67 2024 8.4610 29.04 2023 10.2814 29.33 2022 12.0488 29.67 2021 12.3725 30.01 2020 11.1433 30.54 2019 11.1437 29.98 2018 11.3591 30.15 2017 11.5382 29.93 2016 11.7217 29.91 2015 11.9102 30.26 2014 11.8866 30.47 2013 11.8397 31.14 2012 11.8047 31.00 2011 11.5333 31.41 2010 11.3708 32.37 2009 11.1383 32.59 2008 11.0655 31.76 2007 11.2316 33.47 2006 11.3965 34.27 2005 11.4209 34.66 2004 11.2643 35.51 2003 11.2758 35.90 2002 11.6345 35.96 2001 11.6371 35.27 2000 11.8050 35.67
03In context
Iceland beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, 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 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland | 1st | 72.21 | 63.63 | 3.625 | 8.397 |
 Denmark | 21st | 61.34 | 56.17 | 5.529 | 5.395 |
 Norway | =31st | 62.56 | 45.93 | 4.637 | 4.166 |
 United Kingdom | 33rd | 58.46 | 57.7 | 4.746 | 11.53 |
 Estonia | =37th | 59.71 | 58.76 | 8.313 | 7.093 |
 Latvia | 42nd | 56.55 | 66.5 | 6.568 | 8.615 |
 Lithuania | 48th | 58.68 | 56.77 | 6.731 | 10.36 |
 Sweden | 51st | 58.98 | 53.69 | 8.694 | 6.874 |
| Channel Islands | 76th | 52.88 | — | 6.169 | 4.173 |
 Finland | 82nd | 54.03 | 54.08 | 9.461 | 9.462 |
 Ireland | =83rd | 61.84 | 29.23 | 4.632 | 9.638 |
 Faroe Islands | not placed | — | — | — | — |
 Isle of Man | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Iceland in the topic’s list.
- Iceland1st
Japan2nd
South Korea3rd
Australia=4th
04Context, no vote
Where Iceland is ahead of the world, and behind
27 more statistics filed under work & labour, 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 median18
Statistics on which Iceland does better than the middle country measured.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6891.4216.68No earlier reading
Iceland: 91.42 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 1st of 139 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.313.97514.31▲ Improved since 2014
Iceland: 3.975 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 97th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 31803No real change since 2015
Iceland: 180 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,742118,4336,742No real change since 2015
Iceland: 118,433 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 3rd of 151 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230586,97625,230No real change since 2010
Iceland: 586,976 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). 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.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.761.98536.76No earlier reading
Iceland: 1.985 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 94th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.6101.61▲ Improved since 2015
Iceland: 0 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 9818098▲ Improved since 2015
Iceland: 180 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6674.9361.66No real change since 2015
Iceland: 74.93 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 17th of 182 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3670.0153.36▼ Worsened since 2015
Iceland: 70.01 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 18th of 182 · 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.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1666.3822.16No real change since 2015
Iceland: 66.38 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 26th of 182 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,384114,27947,384No real change since 2015
Iceland: 114,279 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 25th of 168 · derived.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0747.6632.07No earlier reading
Iceland: 47.66 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.950.575No earlier reading
Iceland: 0.95 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.838.67112.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Iceland: 8.671 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 128th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Fatal Occupational InjuriesILO · 2023 · world median 2.0051.382.005▼ Worsened since 2013
Iceland: 1.38 · world median 2.005 · Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.12 to 8.409; lower is better.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8135.3641.81No earlier reading
Iceland: 35.36 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 110th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Behind the world median1
Statistics on which Iceland does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1617.1219.16No earlier reading
Iceland: 17.12 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 105th of 179 · derived.
No better end8
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.952,730657.95No real change since 2019
Iceland: 2,730 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0129.9115.01No earlier reading
Iceland: 29.91 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 16th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5178.1559.51Moved since 2015
Iceland: 78.15 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 29th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8818.2418.88Moved since 2015
Iceland: 18.24 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 102nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4510.7413.45Moved since 2014
Iceland: 10.74 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.383.60714.38No real change since 2015
Iceland: 3.607 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 138th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8413.331.84Moved since 2015
Iceland: 13.3 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 147th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8932.3838.89Moved since 2015
Iceland: 32.38 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 154th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Iceland
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2020), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4) (last 2023), Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2023), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2020), Low Pay Rate (last 2018), Unemployment Benefit Coverage and Working Poverty Rate. 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
Work & Labour among Iceland’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Iceland’s 2nd 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 work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Iceland can most readily be measured against.
- 1Iceland
Northern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Iceland1st4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 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 work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Iceland on work & labour: 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 work & labour?
Iceland is placed 1st of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Iceland?
72.21 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Iceland?
63.63 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How have Iceland’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio fell from 76.36 in 2000 to 72.21 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 67.97 in 2004 to 63.63 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 1.936 in 2000 to 3.625 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 11.81 in 2000 to 8.397 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Iceland?
No current reading is published for Iceland on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Low Pay Rate, Unemployment Benefit Coverage and Working Poverty Rate. 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
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 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 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 27 statistics on this page come from 2 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
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Iceland: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/iceland/work