Urban Population: Iceland
Iceland's urban population is currently 94.2% as of 2024. # Iceland Urban Population Iceland's urban population reached 94.
Current (2024)
94.2%
+0.0% y/y
Peak (2021)
94.2%
Low (1960)
80.4%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Iceland
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Iceland
Analysis# Iceland Urban Population
Iceland's urban population reached 94.182% in 2024, approaching the all-time peak of 94.211% recorded in 2021. This represents a dramatic 17.2 percentage point increase since 1960, when only 80.352% of Icelanders lived in urban areas. Over six decades, Iceland transformed from a nation with a substantial rural population to one of the world's most urbanized countries.
The acceleration intensified after 2015, with urban population rising from 93.728% to 94.182% in nine years. A minor decline occurred between 2021 and 2023, dropping 0.059 percentage points, before stabilizing in 2024. The sustained high urbanization reflects Iceland's economic concentration in Reykjavik and coastal urban centers, suggesting the nation will likely maintain urbanization levels above 94% in the near term.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 94.2% | +0.03% |
| 2023 | 94.2% | -0.03% |
| 2022 | 94.2% | -0.03% |
| 2021 | 94.2% | +0.08% |
| 2020 | 94.1% | +0.17% |
| 2019 | 94.0% | +0.13% |
| 2018 | 93.9% | +0.09% |
| 2017 | 93.8% | -0.01% |
| 2016 | 93.8% | +0.06% |
| 2015 | 93.7% | +0.12% |
| 2014 | 93.6% | +0.00% |
| 2013 | 93.6% | +0.11% |
| 2012 | 93.5% | +0.11% |
| 2011 | 93.4% | -0.05% |
| 2010 | 93.5% | +0.02% |
| 2009 | 93.4% | +0.41% |
| 2008 | 93.1% | +0.76% |
| 2007 | 92.4% | +0.18% |
| 2006 | 92.2% | -0.20% |
| 2005 | 92.4% | -0.07% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 92.4% | +0.12% |
| 2003 | 92.3% | +0.17% |
| 2002 | 92.2% | +0.13% |
| 2001 | 92.0% | +0.08% |
| 2000 | 92.0% | +0.17% |
| 1999 | 91.8% | +0.15% |
| 1998 | 91.7% | -0.37% |
| 1997 | 92.0% | +0.19% |
| 1996 | 91.8% | +0.22% |
| 1995 | 91.6% | +0.21% |
| 1994 | 91.4% | +0.17% |
| 1993 | 91.3% | +0.16% |
| 1992 | 91.1% | +0.27% |
| 1991 | 90.9% | +0.33% |
| 1990 | 90.6% | +0.23% |
| 1989 | 90.4% | +0.31% |
| 1988 | 90.1% | +0.33% |
| 1987 | 89.8% | +0.30% |
| 1986 | 89.6% | +0.25% |
| 1985 | 89.3% | +0.23% |
| 1984 | 89.1% | +0.27% |
| 1983 | 88.9% | +0.31% |
| 1982 | 88.6% | +0.30% |
| 1981 | 88.3% | +0.29% |
| 1980 | 88.1% | +0.24% |
| 1979 | 87.9% | +0.24% |
| 1978 | 87.7% | +0.27% |
| 1977 | 87.4% | +0.29% |
| 1976 | 87.2% | +0.37% |
| 1975 | 86.9% | +0.42% |
| 1974 | 86.5% | +0.35% |
| 1973 | 86.2% | +0.53% |
| 1972 | 85.7% | +0.49% |
| 1971 | 85.3% | +0.33% |
| 1970 | 85.0% | +0.34% |
| 1969 | 84.8% | +0.42% |
| 1968 | 84.4% | +0.60% |
| 1967 | 83.9% | +0.43% |
| 1966 | 83.5% | +0.42% |
| 1965 | 83.2% | +0.65% |
| 1964 | 82.7% | +0.76% |
| 1963 | 82.0% | +0.60% |
| 1962 | 81.5% | +0.68% |
| 1961 | 81.0% | +0.79% |
| 1960 | 80.4% | — |
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