Over the last decade, there were constantly more men than women living in Iceland. Moreover, the gap increased from 2013 to 2023. While there were around 1,000 more men than women in 2013, this number had increased to over 10,000 by 2023. That year, there were around 200,000 men and 188,000 women living in Iceland. The total number of inhabitants in the country was 387,758 at the beginning of 2023.

Iceland IS: Employment In Agriculture: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data was reported at 4.990 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.419 % for 2016. Iceland IS: Employment In Agriculture: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 9.589 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.435 % in 1992 and a record low of 4.990 % in 2017. Iceland IS: Employment In Agriculture: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment 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: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The agriculture sector consists of activities in agriculture, hunting, forestry and fishing, in accordance with division 1 (ISIC 2) or categories A-B (ISIC 3) or category A (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

In the Nordic countries, there were more women than men in Denmark and Finland, while there were more men than women in Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Sweden has the largest population of the five countries, while Iceland has the smallest. In 2024, there were 5.31 million men and 5.24 million women living in Sweden, compared to 200,000 men and 190,000 women in Iceland.

Iceland IS: Employment In Services: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data was reported at 69.284 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 67.768 % for 2016. Iceland IS: Employment In Services: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 57.838 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 69.284 % in 2017 and a record low of 51.441 % in 1994. Iceland IS: Employment In Services: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment 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: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The services sector consists of wholesale and retail trade and restaurants and hotels; transport, storage, and communications; financing, insurance, real estate, and business services; and community, social, and personal services, in accordance with divisions 6-9 (ISIC 2) or categories G-Q (ISIC 3) or categories G-U (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.

The global gender gap index benchmarks national gender gaps on economic, political, education, and health-based criteria. In 2025, the country offering the most gender equal conditions was Iceland, with a score of 0.93. Overall, the Nordic countries make up 3 of the 5 most gender equal countries worldwide. The Nordic countries are known for their high levels of gender equality, including high female employment rates and evenly divided parental leave. Sudan is the second-least gender equal country Pakistan is found on the other end of the scale, ranked as the least gender equal country in the world. Conditions for civilians in the North African country have worsened significantly after a civil war broke out in April 2023. Especially girls and women are suffering and have become victims of sexual violence. Moreover, nearly 9 million people are estimated to be at acute risk of famine. The Middle East and North Africa have the largest gender gap Looking at the different world regions, the Middle East and North Africa have the largest gender gap as of 2023, just ahead of South Asia. Moreover, it is estimated that it will take another 152 years before the gender gap in the Middle East and North Africa is closed. On the other hand, Europe has the lowest gender gap in the world.

Iceland IS: Employment To Population Ratio: National Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male data was reported at 77.110 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 69.870 % for 2015. Iceland IS: Employment To Population Ratio: National Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 65.570 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2016, with 26 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 77.110 % in 2016 and a record low of 50.420 % in 1994. Iceland IS: Employment To Population Ratio: National Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male 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: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15-24 are generally considered the youth population.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted Average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Iceland IS: Employment To Population Ratio: National Estimate: Aged 15+: Male data was reported at 84.285 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 85.189 % for 2016. Iceland IS: Employment To Population Ratio: National Estimate: Aged 15+: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 83.261 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 87.075 % in 2001 and a record low of 76.696 % in 2011. Iceland IS: Employment To Population Ratio: National Estimate: Aged 15+: Male 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: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15 and older are generally considered the working-age population.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Iceland IS: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data was reported at 25.726 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 26.813 % for 2016. Iceland IS: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment data is updated yearly, averaging 32.367 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 35.262 % in 1994 and a record low of 25.726 % in 2017. Iceland IS: Employment In Industry: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Employment 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: Employment and Unemployment. Employment is defined as persons of working age who were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangement. The industry sector consists of mining and quarrying, manufacturing, construction, and public utilities (electricity, gas, and water), in accordance with divisions 2-5 (ISIC 2) or categories C-F (ISIC 3) or categories B-F (ISIC 4).; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections.