Unemployment Rate in Iceland increased to 5.70 percent in August from 4.10 percent in July of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Iceland Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The unemployment rate in Iceland stood at about 3.37 percent in 2024. From 1980 to 2024, the rate rose by approximately 3.06 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend. Between 2024 and 2030, the rate will rise by around 0.63 percentage points, showing an overall upward trend with periodic ups and downs.This indicator describes the unemployment rate, which can be defined by either the national definition, the ILO harmonized definition, or the OECD harmonized definition. The latter defines it as the number of unemployed people divided by the total labor force.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Rate Male: From 15 to 74 Years for Iceland (LRUN74MAISQ156S) from Q1 2003 to Q2 2025 about 15 to 74 years, Iceland, males, unemployment, and rate.

Key information about Iceland Unemployment Rate

• Iceland Unemployment Rate increased to 3.35% in Dec 2024, from the previously reported figure of 3.34% in Nov 2024.
• Iceland Unemployment Rate is updated monthly, available from Jan 2003 to Dec 2024, with an average rate of 3.68%.
• The data reached an all-time high of 8.55% in Mar 2010 and a record low of 2.70% in Nov 2007.
• The data is reported by reported by Statistics Iceland.
• In the latest reports, Iceland Population reached 0.38 million people in Dec 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Unemployment Rate Total: From 15 to 64 Years for Iceland (LRUN64TTISQ156S) from Q1 2003 to Q1 2025 about Iceland, 15 to 64 years, unemployment, and rate.

The youth unemployment rate in Iceland was 7.65 percent in 2024. Between 1991 and 2024, the youth unemployment rate rose by 2.8 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

View monthly updates and historical trends for Iceland Unemployment Rate. Source: Eurostat. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

In Iceland, the quarterly unemployment rate for both men and women rose sharply through the two latter quarters of 2020. This can be explained by the outbreak of COVID-19. The rates fell sharply in the third quarter of 2021, reaching pre-pandemic levels for the first time since the outbreak. In the third quarter of 2023, the unemployment rate in Iceland was *** percent among men and *** percent among women.

Iceland Unemployment Rate: 16 to 74 Years: sa: Male data was reported at 3.596 % in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.761 % for Feb 2025. Iceland Unemployment Rate: 16 to 74 Years: sa: Male data is updated monthly, averaging 4.167 % from Jan 2011 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 171 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.248 % in Jan 2011 and a record low of 3.202 % in Sep 2018. Iceland Unemployment Rate: 16 to 74 Years: sa: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Iceland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iceland – Table IS.G016: Unemployment Rate: 16 to 74 Years.

Unemployment rates in Iceland were highest within the age group 16-24, standing at 8.4 percent in 2022. It was lowest among people aged between 55 and 74 years at only two percent. The unemployment rate is the share of unemployed people in the total workforce.

Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly data was reported at 2.161 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.564 % for Jun 2018. Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.600 % from Mar 2003 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.000 % in Jun 2009 and a record low of 1.800 % in Sep 2005. Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Iceland . The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iceland – Table IS.G015: Unemployment Rate: 16 to 74 Years.

Youth Unemployment Rate in Iceland increased to 14 percent in August from 5.90 percent in July of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Iceland Youth Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly: Female data was reported at 2.327 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.186 % for Jun 2018. Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly: Female data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.300 % from Mar 2003 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.000 % in Jun 2010 and a record low of 1.800 % in Dec 2007. Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Iceland . The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iceland – Table IS.G015: Unemployment Rate: 16 to 74 Years.

Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly: Outside Capital Region data was reported at 1.518 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.982 % for Jun 2018. Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly: Outside Capital Region data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.100 % from Mar 2003 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.300 % in Jun 2009 and a record low of 1.493 % in Sep 2017. Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly: Outside Capital Region data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Iceland . The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iceland – Table IS.G015: Unemployment Rate: 16 to 74 Years.

Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly: Capital Region data was reported at 2.507 % in Sep 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.879 % for Jun 2018. Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly: Capital Region data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.914 % from Mar 2003 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.100 % in Jun 2011 and a record low of 1.700 % in Dec 2007. Iceland Unemployment Rate: Quarterly: Capital Region data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Iceland . The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iceland – Table IS.G015: Unemployment Rate: 16 to 74 Years.

The number of unemployed people in Iceland rose sharply from March 2020 to April 2020, when it increased from 5,700 in March to 12,000 in April and 16,100 the following month. It then fluctuated more, peaking in November 2020. By December 2022, the number of unemployed people in Iceland was just above 7,000. The unemployment rate in Iceland fell below five percent in December 2021 and was around four percent as of July 2022.

Employment Rate in Iceland decreased to 77.30 percent in August from 77.80 percent in July of 2025. This dataset provides - Iceland Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Historical dataset showing Iceland unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

Long Term Unemployment Rate in Iceland remained unchanged at 0.60 percent in 2024 from 0.60 percent in 2024. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Iceland Long Term Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Iceland Unemployment Rate: Female data was reported at 1.024 % in Dec 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.206 % for Nov 2018. Iceland Unemployment Rate: Female data is updated monthly, averaging 3.486 % from Jan 2003 (Median) to Dec 2018, with 192 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.830 % in May 2011 and a record low of 0.718 % in Nov 2007. Iceland Unemployment Rate: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statistics Iceland. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Iceland – Table IS.G015: Unemployment Rate: 16 to 74 Years.