In 2022, a total of 7,723 individuals emigrated from Iceland. The highest number of the emigrants moved to Poland, whereas the second and third highest number emigrated to Denmark and Sweden, respectively.

Considering the period from 2005 to 2022, the number of emigrants from Iceland peaked in 2009, reaching over 10,000 emigrants. This was during the Icelandic financial crisis. In 2022, the number of individuals emigrating reached 7,700. Notably, more men than women emigrated from Iceland in recent years.

The vast majority of the 2,626 Icelandic citizens who emigrated in 2022 moved to one of the three Scandinavian countries Denmark, Sweden, or Norway. The highest number of these emigrated to Denmark. The fourth most common destination country was the United States. Considering emigration among both Icelandic and foreign citizens, the highest number emigrated to Poland.

From 2005 to 2022, more men than women immigrated to Iceland. The biggest difference between the genders was registered in 2017. That year, more than 62 percent of the immigrants were men. In 2022, more than 10,000 men and 7,400 women immigrated to Iceland. In total, 17,487 people immigrated to Iceland in 2022.

Graph and download economic data for Net migration for Iceland (SMPOPNETMISL) from 1962 to 2017 about Iceland, migration, Net, 5-year, and population.

Norway Emigration: Europe: Iceland data was reported at 851.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 913.000 Person for 2016. Norway Emigration: Europe: Iceland data is updated yearly, averaging 349.000 Person from Dec 1967 (Median) to 2017, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 913.000 Person in 2016 and a record low of 98.000 Person in 1969. Norway Emigration: Europe: Iceland data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.G007: Emigration: by Country.

The number of people immigrating to Iceland reached a new high in 2022 when more than 17,000 people immigrated to the country. The number of immigrants dropped to 10,400 in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Immigrants from Poland

The most common country of origin for people immigrating to Iceland was Poland, followed by Ukraine and Romania. Of immigrants from outside of Europe, the United States had the highest number. There were more men than women immigrating to Iceland over the last 15 years.

A growing population due to migration

Migration to Iceland in recent years is one of the reasons why the population is increasing steadily, despite the fact that the increase number of people between zero and 19 years has been increasing slowly during the last 10 years.

Historical dataset showing Iceland immigration statistics by year from 1960 to 2015.

Iceland IS: Net Migration data was reported at 1,900.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of -2,163.000 Person for 2012. Iceland IS: Net Migration data is updated yearly, averaging -236.000 Person from Dec 1962 (Median) to 2017, with 12 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12,007.000 Person in 2007 and a record low of -3,929.000 Person in 1977. Iceland IS: Net Migration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iceland – Table IS.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the total number of immigrants less the annual number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens. Data are five-year estimates.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

In 2022, more than 17,000 individuals immigrated to Iceland. Of these, people immigrating from Poland made up the largest group with nearly 4,000 immigrants. People from Ukraine made up the second largest group, which must be seen in relation with the Russia-Ukraine war that broke out in February 2022.

This horizontal bar chart displays net migration (people) by date using the aggregation sum in Iceland. The data is filtered where the date is 2023. The data is about countries per year.

Historical dataset showing Iceland net migration by year from 1960 to 2024.

This scatter chart displays population (people) against net migration (people) in Iceland. The data is filtered where the date is 2023. The data is about countries per year.

Graph and download economic data for International Migrant Stock, Total for Iceland (SMPOPTOTLISL) from 1960 to 2015 about Iceland, migration, and 5-year.

Norway Immigration: Europe: Iceland data was reported at 401.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 604.000 Person for 2016. Norway Immigration: Europe: Iceland data is updated yearly, averaging 401.000 Person from Dec 1967 (Median) to 2017, with 51 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,753.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 166.000 Person in 1971. Norway Immigration: Europe: Iceland data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Norway. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Norway – Table NO.G006: Immigration: by Country.

This bar chart displays net migration (people) by country full name using the aggregation sum in Iceland. The data is filtered where the date is 2021. The data is about countries per year.

232 (number) in 2014.

This horizontal bar chart displays net migration (people) by capital city using the aggregation sum in Iceland. The data is filtered where the date is 2021. The data is about countries per year.

In 2022, net migration in Iceland increased after having decreased during the previous years. Total net migration in Iceland that year was nearly 10,000, of which foreign citizens made up the vast majority. Over 17,000 individuals immigrated to Iceland in 2022, whereas around 2,600 individuals emigrated from Icelandduring the same year. Net migration in Iceland has been positive since 2013.

Iceland IS: Net Migration: per 1 000 Inhabitants data was reported at 11.950 Person in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 17.180 Person for 2022. Iceland IS: Net Migration: per 1 000 Inhabitants data is updated yearly, averaging 3.640 Person from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2023, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 24.300 Person in 2017 and a record low of -15.020 Person in 2009. Iceland IS: Net Migration: per 1 000 Inhabitants data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iceland – Table IS.OECD.GGI: Social: Demography: OECD Member: Annual.