CapitalReykjavik
Population364,036
Area103,000 km²
GDP per capita$65,600
LanguagesIcelandic, English, Polish, Nordic languages, German
CurrencyIcelandic kronur
Life Expectancy84.0 yr
Governmentunitary parliamentary republic
Introduction
Background
Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althingi, which was established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter-century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Denmark granted limited home rule in 1874 and complete independence in 1944. The second half of the 20th century saw substantial economic growth driven primarily by the fishing industry. The economy diversified greatly after the country joined the European Economic Area in 1994, but the global financial crisis hit Iceland especially hard in the years after 2008. The economy is now on an upward trajectory, primarily thanks to a tourism and construction boom. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first-rate by world standards.
Geography
Area
land
100,250 sq km
water
2,750 sq km
total
103,000 sq km
Climate
temperate; influenced by the North Atlantic Current; winters are mild and windy; summers are damp and cool
Terrain
predominantly a plateau with interspersed mountain summits and icefields; the coastline is highly indented with numerous bays and fjords
Land use
other
82.6% (2023 est.)
forest
0.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
16.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 15% (2023 est.)
Location
located in Northern Europe, this island lies between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, to the northwest of the United Kingdom
Coastline
4,970 km
Elevation
lowest point
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point
Hvannadalshnukur (at Vatnajokull Glacier) 2,110 m
mean elevation
557 m
Irrigated land
0.5 sq km (2022)
Map references
Arctic Region
Land boundaries
total
0 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
seismic activity and volcanic phenomena
volcanism: Iceland is positioned over a hotspot, leading to significant volcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (1,666 m) erupted in 2010, releasing ash into the atmosphere and causing major disruptions to air travel in Europe; researchers continue to monitor the nearby Katla (1,512 m), which has a considerable eruption likelihood; Grimsvoetn and Hekla are recognized as the most active volcanoes in Iceland; other historically significant volcanoes include Askja, Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla, Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, and Vestmannaeyjar
Geography - note
holds a pivotal position between Greenland and Europe; recognized as the westernmost country in Europe; Reykjavik serves as the northernmost national capital globally; it contains more glacier-covered land than all of continental Europe combined
Natural resources
fishing, hydropower, geothermal energy, diatomite
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than the state of Pennsylvania; approximately equivalent in size to Kentucky
Geographic coordinates
65 00 N, 18 00 W
Population distribution
Iceland is predominantly urbanized, with half of its populace residing in and around Reykjavik; smaller population centers are mainly situated along the northern and western coasts
People & Society
Languages
Icelandic, English, Polish, Nordic languages, German
Religions
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (official) 58.6%, Roman Catholic 3.8%, Independent Congregation of Reykjavik 2.6%, Independent Congregation of Hafnarfjordur 1.9%, pagan worship 1.5%, Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association 1.4%, other (including Zuist and Pentecostal) or unspecified 18.7%, none 7.7% (2024 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.02 male(s)/female
total population
1 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.9 male(s)/female
Birth rate
12.47 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.62 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
37.4 years
total
38.2 years (2025 est.)
female
38.6 years
Population
male
182,268
total
364,036 (2024 est.)
female
181,768
Nationality
noun
Icelander(s)
adjective
Icelandic
Tobacco use
male
7.9% (2025 est.)
total
8% (2025 est.)
female
8% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
94% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
19.8% (male 36,692/female 35,239)
15-64 years
63.2% (male 116,210/female 113,810)
65 years and over
17.1% (2024 est.) (male 29,366/female 32,719)
Ethnic groups
Icelandic 78.7%, Polish 5.8%, Danish 1%, Ukrainian 1%, other 13.5% (2024 est.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
58.3 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio
31.3 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio
3.7 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
27 (2024 est.)
Physician density
4.37 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
8.6% of GDP (2022)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
16.5% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
2.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
2.8 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.93 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
7.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
15.7% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
1.8 deaths/1,000 live births
total
1.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
1.4 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.82% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.94 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
Iceland is predominantly urban, with approximately half of its residents living in and around the capital city of Reykjavik; smaller populations are mainly situated along the northern and western coasts.
Life expectancy at birth
male
81.8 years
female
86.3 years
total population
84 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
4.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
2.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
7.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
1.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
216,000 REYKJAVIK (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
21.9% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
28.7 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
48.5% (2023 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
18 years (2022 est.)
total
19 years (2022 est.)
female
20 years (2022 est.)
Environment
Climate
temperate; influenced by the North Atlantic Current; winters that are mild and windy; summers that are cool and damp
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks
Katla; Reykjanes (2023)
total global geoparks and regional networks
2
Land use
other
82.6% (2023 est.)
forest
0.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
16.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 1.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 15% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
94% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
225,300 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
55.5% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
contamination of water due to runoff from fertilizers
Total water withdrawal
municipal
80 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
198 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
300,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
3.101 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
376,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
2.725 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
5.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
170 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
Air Pollution - Heavy Metals, Alteration of Environment, Conservation of Marine Life
Government
Flag
description: a blue background featuring a red cross outlined in white that reaches the flag's edges; the cross is positioned towards the left, reminiscent of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
meaning: the red symbolizes the volcanic fires of the island, white represents the snow and ice fields, while blue denotes the ocean
Capital
name
Reykjavik
etymology
the name means "smoky bay" in Icelandic and refers to the steam from the hot springs in the area
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
64 09 N, 21 57 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Iceland
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
3 to 7 years
Constitution
history
multiple prior versions; the most recent was ratified on 16 June 1944, taking effect on 17 June 1944 (at the time of independence)
amendment process
introduced by the Althingi; to pass, it necessitates approval from the Althingi and the subsequent elected Althingi, along with confirmation from the president of the republic; proposed changes to Article 62 of the constitution – which states that the Evangelical Lutheran Church is the state church of Iceland – also require a referendum for approval
Country name
etymology
Floki VILGERDARSON, a Norse explorer from the 10th century, named the land "Land of Ice," derived from the local terms ís (ice) and land (land)
local long form
none
local short form
Island
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Iceland
Independence
1 December 1918 (achieved sovereignty under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (gained independence from Denmark; the birthday of Jon SIGURDSSON, the leader of Iceland's 19th-century independence movement)
Legal system
civil law framework influenced by the Danish system
Government type
unitary parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Haestirettur (consists of 7 judges)
subordinate courts
Appellate Court or Landsrettur; 8 district courts; Labor Court
judge selection and term of office
judges proposed by Ministry of Interior selection committee and appointed by the president for an indefinite period
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the prime minister
chief of state
President Halla TOMASDOTTIR (since 1 August 2024)
election results
2024: Halla TOMASDOTTIR was elected president; vote percentages - Halla TOMASDOTTIR (independent) 34.1%, Katrin JAKOBSDOTTIR (Left-Green Movement) 25.2%, Halla Hrund LOGADOTTIR (independent) 15.7%, Jon GNARR (Social Democratic Alliance) 10.1%, Baldur PORHALLSSON (independent) 8.4%, others 6.5%
2020: Gudni Thorlacius JOHANNESSON was reelected president; vote percentages - Gudni Thorlacius JOHANNESSON (independent) 92.2%, Gudmundur Franklin JONSSON (independent) 7.8%
head of government
Prime Minister Kristrun FROSTADOTTIR (since 21 December 2024)
most recent election date
1 June 2024
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a term of 4 years (no limits on terms); after legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or coalition assumes the role of prime minister
expected date of next election
June 2028
National holiday
Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
National color(s)
blue, white, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (1 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Thingvellir National Park (c); Surtsey (n); Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (n)
Political parties
Center Party or M
Independence Party or D
Liberal Reform Party or C
People's Party or F
Progressive Party or B
Social Democratic Alliance or S
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
63 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament (Althingi)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
11/30/2024
expected date of next election
November 2028
percentage of women in chamber
46%
parties elected and seats per party
Social Democratic Alliance (SDA) (15); Independence Party (IP) (14); Liberal Reform Party (11); People’s Party (10); Center Party (8); Progressive Party (PP) (5)
National anthem(s)
title
"Lofsongur" (Song of Praise)
history
adopted 1918
lyrics/music
Matthias JOCHUMSSON/Sveinbjorn SVEINBJORNSSON
National symbol(s)
gyrfalcon
National coat of arms
Iceland’s coat of arms is based on a 13th-century folktale about four guardians who protect the nation's four corners; the bull safeguards the northwest, the eagle the northeast, the dragon the southeast, and the rock-giant the southwest; the shield features the national flag, with red symbolizing Iceland’s volcanic fires, white for its snow and ice fields, and blue for the ocean
Administrative divisions
64 municipalities (sveitarfelog, singular - sveitarfelagidh); Akranes, Akureyri, Arneshreppur, Asahreppur, Blaskogabyggdh, Bolungarvik, Borgarbyggdh, Dalabyggdh, Dalvikurbyggdh, Eyjafjardharsveit, Eyja-og Miklaholtshreppur, Fjallabyggdh, Fjardhabyggdh, Fljotsdalshreppur, Floahreppur, Gardhabaer, Grimsnes-og Grafningshreppur, Grindavikurbaer, Grundarfjardharbaer, Grytubakkahreppur, Hafnarfjordhur, Horgarsveit, Hrunamannahreppur, Hunathing Vestra, Hunabyggdh, Hvalfjardharsveit, Hveragerdhi, Isafjardharbaer, Kaldrananeshreppur, Kjosarhreppur, Kopavogur, Langanesbyggdh, Mosfellsbaer, Mulathing, Myrdalshreppur, Nordhurthing, Rangarthing Eystra, Rangarthing Ytra, Reykholahreppur, Reykjanesbaer, Reykjavik, Seltjarnarnes, Skaftarhreppur, Skagabyggdh, Skagafjordhur, Skeidha-og Gnupverjahreppur, Skorradalshreppur, Snaefellsbaer, Strandabyggdh, Stykkisholmur, Sudhavikurhreppur, Sudhurnesjabaer, Svalbardhsstrandarhreppur, Sveitarfelagidh Arborg, Sveitarfelagidh Hornafjordhur, Sveitarfelagidh Olfus, Sveitarfelagidh Skagastrond, Sveitarfelagidh Vogar, Talknafjardharhreppur, Thingeyjarsveit, Tjorneshreppur, Vestmannaeyjar, Vesturbyggdh, Vopnafjardharhreppur
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 265-6656
chancery
House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, #509, Washington, DC 20007
telephone
[1] (202) 265-6653
chief of mission
Ambassador Svanhildur Hólm VALSDÓTTIR (since 18 September 2024)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.government.is/diplomatic-missions/embassy-of-iceland-in-washington-d.c/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[354] 562-9118
embassy
Engjateigur 7, 105 Reykjavik
telephone
[354] 595-2200
mailing address
5640 Reykjavik Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-5640
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Erin SAWYER (since January 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://is.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not provided a declaration of ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$10.023 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$10.364 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$13.114 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$13.702 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$13.916 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$13.237 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$13.63 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$14.298 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
tourism, fish processing; aluminum smelting; geothermal energy, hydropower; medical/pharmaceutical products
Labor force
248,400 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2023
80.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Icelandic kronur (ISK) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
135.422 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
126.989 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
135.28 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
137.943 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
137.958 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
high-income economy located on a North Atlantic island; not a member of the EU but integrated into the market through the European Economic Area (EEA); the leading sectors are tourism, fishing, and aluminum, which are susceptible to fluctuations in demand and disruptions caused by volcanic activity; inflation rates are consistently above the target; challenges exist regarding foreign business accessibility and economic diversification.
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
3.8% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
3.2% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Netherlands 27%, Germany 11%, USA 10%, UK 8%, Norway 6% (2023)
Imports - partners
Norway 11%, China 9%, Germany 9%, Netherlands 8%, USA 7% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$65,500 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$67,200 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$65,600 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
9% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
5.6% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
0.5% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, chicken, lamb/mutton, barley, potatoes, pork, beef, eggs, other meats, cucumbers/gherkins (2023)
Exports - commodities
aluminum, fish, orthopedic appliances, animal meal, iron alloys (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, carbon-based electronics, aluminum oxide, computers (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
-$698.165 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$290.603 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
-$845.319 million (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
23.3% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$33.463 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
49.3% (2023 est.)
government consumption
25.3% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
0.7% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
24.8% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
43.4% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-43.3% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
8.8% (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
8.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
8.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
5.9% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-2.3% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$25.012 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$26.424 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$26.561 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
8.3% (2024 est.)
total
7.6% (2024 est.)
female
7% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$5.887 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$5.809 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$6.403 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
19.4% (2024 est.)
services
65.5% (2024 est.)
agriculture
4% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.7% (2018 est.)
highest 10%
21.7% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2018
26.6 (2018 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
81 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
106,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
137,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
19,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
Electricity
consumption
19.584 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
3.005 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
543 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity generation sources
geothermal
29.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
70.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
100% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The state-operated public television broadcaster RUV runs 21 television channels across the nation; it is mandatory for every household to have RUV, which also functions as the emergency broadcast system; there are 3 privately owned television stations; all households have access to multi-channel services via digital and/or fiber-optic connections; RUV manages 3 national and 4 regional radio stations; one private radio conglomerate, Syn, with 4 stations, transmits nationwide; in addition, there are more than 20 regional radio stations as of 2019.
Internet country code
.is
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
82,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
21 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
478,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
123 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
145,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
37 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
2
medium
2
key ports
Grundartangi, Reykjavik, Seyðisfjörður, Vestmannaeyjar
very small
17
total ports
43 (2024)
size unknown
22
ports with oil terminals
5
Airports
82 (2025)
Heliports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
39 (2023)
by type
general cargo 5, oil tanker 2, other 32
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TF
Military & Security
Military - note
Iceland was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949; Iceland is the only NATO member that has no standing military force; defense of Iceland is a NATO commitment, and NATO maintains an air policing presence in Icelandic airspace; Iceland participates in international peacekeeping missions with the civilian-manned Icelandic Crisis Response Unit (ICRU)
Iceland also cooperates with the militaries of other regional countries through the Nordic Defense Cooperation (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) and the Joint Expeditionary Force (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK); in 1951, Iceland and the US concluded an agreement to make arrangements regarding the defense of Iceland and for the use of facilities in Iceland to that end (2025)
Military and security forces
there are no standing military forces; the Icelandic National Police, regional police units, and the Icelandic Coast Guard are overseen by the Ministry of Justice (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
3,700 (2024 est.)
refugees
8,960 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
31 (2024 est.)
