Iceland Population Pyramid (2026)
Iceland has a population of 402,329 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 172nd-largest population in the world and less than 0.01% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 17.3% of the population and people aged 65 and over 16.3%, with 105.2 males for every 100 females.
Iceland Demographics
Iceland has 402,329 people in 2026, up 96.8% from 204,478 in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 1,663 (UN projection for 2026).
65+ share 16.3% — the 53rd-highest of 194 countries.
Under-15 share 17.3% — the 58th-lowest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Millennials — 24.4% (98,066)
All generations in Iceland →Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Iceland's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Iceland has 105.2 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Men outnumber women by 10,239 (2.5% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:206,284
- Percentage:51.3%
Female Statistics
- Population:196,045
- Percentage:48.7%
- Ratio Format:1:0.950
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Iceland indicates more males than females.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 4,346 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,819 | 12.9 | 1.82 | estimate |
| 2022 | 4,334 | 11.4 | 1.59 | estimate |
| 2023 | 4,347 | 11.2 | 1.54 | estimate |
| 2024 | 4,377 | 11.1 | 1.52 | projection |
| 2025 | 4,367 | 11.0 | 1.50 | projection |
| 2026 | 4,346 | 10.8 | 1.49 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (4,346 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Iceland's median age is 36.6 years
Half the population is younger than 36.6 years, half is older — indicating a middle-aged society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 22,961 | 5.7% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 23,393 | 5.8% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 23,303 | 5.8% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 25,727 | 6.4% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 26,403 | 6.6% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 29,233 | 7.3% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 33,188 | 8.2% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 31,492 | 7.8% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 27,568 | 6.9% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 25,733 | 6.4% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 24,131 | 6.0% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 21,760 | 5.4% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 21,892 | 5.4% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 20,261 | 5.0% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 16,855 | 4.2% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 13,027 | 3.2% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 8,531 | 2.1% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 4,358 | 1.1% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 1,931 | 0.5% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 525 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 100+ | 58 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 4 (low birth and death rates): fertility is below the replacement level of 2.1 (1.49 children per woman), and births still exceed deaths (10.8 vs 6.7 per 1,000). Read more about Stage 4 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Iceland Total Fertility Rate: 1.49 children per woman
Below the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.82 | 12.9 | |
| 2022 | 1.59 | 11.4 | ↓0.23 |
| 2023 | 1.54 | 11.2 | ↓0.05 |
| 2024 | 1.52 | 11.1 | ↓0.02 |
| 2025 | 1.50 | 11.0 | ↓0.02 |
| 2026 | 1.49 | 10.8 | ↓0.01 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Below global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 1.48
Iceland's total fertility rate is 1.49 children per woman in 2026 (below replacement), below the replacement level of 2.1. Iceland ranks 147 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the lowest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −61.3% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Iceland's population has increased by 182.0%.
The median age has increased from 25.5 in 1950 to 36.6 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding Iceland's Demographics
Iceland has a constrictive population pyramid — a base narrower than the middle, so younger cohorts are smaller than the ones above them.
Children under 15 make up 17.3% of the population and people aged 65 and over 16.3%.
The largest five-year age band is 30–34, at 8.2% of the population, compared with 5.7% in the 0–4 band.
Demographic Analysis: Iceland's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
Iceland's working-age share peaked in 2008 at 67.5% and is 66.4% in 2026.
Fertility Transition Stage
Iceland is in a period of below replacement, with a total fertility rate of 1.49 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Iceland's median age changed by +1.4 years from 2016 to 2026, slower than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 402,329 |
| Male Population | 206,284(51.3%) |
| Female Population | 196,045(48.7%) |
| Median Age | 36.6 years |
| Sex Ratio | 105.2 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 69,657(17.3%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 267,126(66.4%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 65,546(16.3%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 50.6 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 26.1 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 24.5 |
| Pyramid Type | Constrictive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in Iceland
How long the average person in Iceland is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
Iceland is projected to grow to 432,993 people by 2050 (+7.6% from 2026).
The median age rises from 36.6 in 2026 to 44.9 by 2050.
Iceland's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 11.6%, growing from 0.2 million in 1970 to 0.2 million by 1980
The median age increased by 2.5 years, indicating population aging during this period
The youth population share contracted by 5.1 percentage points
Meanwhile, the elderly population proportion grew by 1.1 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 204K to 228K
- • Growth rate of 11.6% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 23.4 to 25.9 years (+2.5y)
- • 65+ share changed by +1.1 points; under-15 share by −5.1 points
How Does Iceland Compare to Its Neighbors?
Iceland has a younger population than Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom. Iceland has a smaller population than Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom.
Iceland
Norway
Denmark
United Kingdom
| Country | Population | Median Age | Youth % | Elderly % | Pyramid Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iceland (Current) | 402,329 | 36.6 | 17.3% | 16.3% | constrictive |
| Norway | 5,652,988 | 40.1 | 15.7% | 19.4% | constrictive |
| Denmark | 6,023,520 | 41.3 | 15.5% | 21.4% | constrictive |
| United Kingdom | 69,931,529 | 40.2 | 16.7% | 19.9% | constrictive |
Frequently Asked Questions About Iceland
How does Iceland rank globally by population?
Iceland ranks 172nd in the world by population with 402,329 people as of 2026.
What does Iceland's age structure reveal about its development?
Iceland's age structure — 17.3% under 15, 66.4% working-age (15–64) and 16.3% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 4 of the demographic transition, with a constrictive population pyramid. The median age is 36.6 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Iceland?
Iceland has 50.6 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Iceland experiencing a demographic dividend?
Iceland has moved past its demographic-dividend window. Iceland's working-age share peaked in 2008 at 67.5% and is 66.4% in 2026. The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in Iceland's population?
Iceland has more males than females, with 105.2 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Iceland Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/iceland
View UN World Population Prospects Data →