Demographics of Iceland
Encyclopedia
This article is about the demographic
features of the population
of Iceland
, including population density
, ethnicity
, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
Most Iceland
ers are descendants of Norwegian
settlers and Celt
s from Ireland
and Scotland
who were brought over as slaves during the age of settlement. Recent DNA analysis suggests that around 66 percent of the male settler-era population was of Norse ancestry, whereas the female population was 60 percent Celtic. The Icelandic population today is remarkably homogeneous. According to Icelandic government statistics, 99% of the nation's inhabitants live in urban areas (localities with populations greater than 200) and 60% live in the greater Reykjavík Area
. Of the North Germanic languages
, the Icelandic language
is closest to the Old Norse
language and has remained relatively unchanged since the 12th century. Because of its small size and relative homogeneity, Iceland holds all the characteristics of a very close-knit society.
About 84% of the population belong to the state church, the Evangelical
Lutheran Church, or other Lutheran Churches. However, Iceland has complete religious liberty, and other Protestant
and Roman Catholic
congregations are present (about 3.5%), along with small communities of major world religions. The most notable new religious community in Iceland, and in 2003 the fastest-growing one, is the Ásatrúarfélagið, a legally recognized revival of the pre-Christian
religion of Iceland.
Most Icelandic surnames are based on patronymy
, or the adoption of the father's first given name, followed by "son" or "daughter". For example, Magnús and Anna, children of a man named Pétur Jónsson, would have the full name Magnús Pétursson and Anna Pétursdóttir, respectively. Magnús's daughter Sigríður Ásta would be Sigríður Ásta Magnúsdóttir, and would remain so for the rest of her life regardless of marriage. An Icelandic patronymic is essentially only a designation of fatherhood, and is therefore redundant in Icelandic social life except to differentiate people of the same first name — the phone directory, for example, lists people by their given name first, patronymic second. Thus it has little in common with traditional surnames except for its position after the given name. It is legally possible in Iceland to rework the patronymic into a matronymic
, replacing the father's name with the mother's. Use of the patronymic system is required by law, except for the descendants of those who had acquired family names before 1913 (about 10% of the population). One notable Icelander who has an inherited family name is football
star Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen
.
See also: Icelandic naming conventions
world. Based on Norwegian and Icelandic histories and genealogies, the Sagas present views of Nordic life and times up to 1100 AD. The Saga writers sought to record their heroes' great achievements and to glorify the virtues of courage, pride, and honour, focusing in the later Sagas on early Icelandic settlers.
Unlike its literature, Iceland's fine arts did not flourish until the 19th century because the population was small and scattered. Iceland's most famous painters are Ásgrímur Jónsson
, Jón Stefánsson, and Jóhannes Kjarval, all of whom worked during the first half of the 20th century, and Erró
(Guðmundur Guðmundsson). The best-known modern sculptor, Ásmundur Sveinsson
(1893–1982), drew his inspiration from Icelandic folklore and the Sagas for many of his works.
The best known Icelandic writer of the 20th century is the Nobel Prize
winner Halldór Laxness
. The literacy rate is 100%, and literature and poetry are a passion with the population. Per capita publication of books and magazines is the highest in the world . In 2000, a population of around 280,000 enjoyed three daily newspapers and 101 other newspapers and periodicals.
The bass
Kristinn Sigmundsson
and the tenor
Kristján Jóhannsson
are Iceland's most famous opera singers, whilst pop singer Björk
is probably the country's best known artist in this century. Other notable Icelandic acts include múm
, hard rock band Mínus
, and internationally renowned post-rock band Sigur Rós
.
Population:
309,605 (October 2007 estimate), of whom 195,301 (60%) live in the Reykjavík metropolitan area.
Age structure:
0–14 years:
21.5% (male 32,818; female 31,614)
15–64 years:
67.5% (male 111,216; female 100,367)
65 years and over:
11.0% (male 15,589; female 18,001) (2007 est.)
Total: 309,605
Sex ratio:
at birth:
1.04 males: 1 female
under 15 years:
1.03 males: 1 female
15–64 years:
1.03 males: 1 female
65 years and over:
0.83 males: 1 female
total population:
1 male: 1 female
(2004 estimate)
Infant mortality rate:
3.31 deaths: 1,000 live births
(2004 estimate)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
80.18 years
male:
78.18 years
female:
82.27 years
(2004 estimate)
Total fertility rate:
2.14 children born: 1 woman
(2008 estimate)
Nationality:
noun:
Icelander(s)
adjective:
Icelandic
Ethnic groups:
93% Icelandic,
7.0% other
Religions:
As of 2002: Lutheran 87.1%, Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7% and other 7.1% (Ásatrú
is officially recognized with some 0.3% as of 2005)
Languages:
Icelandic
(English
and a second Nordic language, Danish
by default, are also a part of the Icelandic compulsory education
)http://bella.mrn.stjr.is/utgafur/skolenska.pdf
Literacy:
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
99.9% (1997 est.)
male:
NA%
female:
NA%
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
features of the population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
, including population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
, ethnicity
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
Most Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
ers are descendants of Norwegian
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
settlers and Celt
Celt
The Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Roman-era Europe who spoke Celtic languages.The earliest archaeological culture commonly accepted as Celtic, or rather Proto-Celtic, was the central European Hallstatt culture , named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria....
s from Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
who were brought over as slaves during the age of settlement. Recent DNA analysis suggests that around 66 percent of the male settler-era population was of Norse ancestry, whereas the female population was 60 percent Celtic. The Icelandic population today is remarkably homogeneous. According to Icelandic government statistics, 99% of the nation's inhabitants live in urban areas (localities with populations greater than 200) and 60% live in the greater Reykjavík Area
Greater Reykjavík Area
The Greater Reykjavík Area is a name used collectively for Reykjavík and seven municipalities around it.. The area is the largest urban area in Iceland. Each municipality has its independent elected council. With a population of 200,852, the Greater Reykjavík Area comprises over 60% of the...
. Of the North Germanic languages
North Germanic languages
The North Germanic languages or Scandinavian languages, the languages of Scandinavians, make up one of the three branches of the Germanic languages, a sub-family of the Indo-European languages, along with the West Germanic languages and the extinct East Germanic languages...
, the Icelandic language
Icelandic language
Icelandic is a North Germanic language, the main language of Iceland. Its closest relative is Faroese.Icelandic is an Indo-European language belonging to the North Germanic or Nordic branch of the Germanic languages. Historically, it was the westernmost of the Indo-European languages prior to the...
is closest to the Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
language and has remained relatively unchanged since the 12th century. Because of its small size and relative homogeneity, Iceland holds all the characteristics of a very close-knit society.
About 84% of the population belong to the state church, the Evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
Lutheran Church, or other Lutheran Churches. However, Iceland has complete religious liberty, and other Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
and Roman Catholic
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
congregations are present (about 3.5%), along with small communities of major world religions. The most notable new religious community in Iceland, and in 2003 the fastest-growing one, is the Ásatrúarfélagið, a legally recognized revival of the pre-Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
religion of Iceland.
Most Icelandic surnames are based on patronymy
Patronymic
A patronym, or patronymic, is a component of a personal name based on the name of one's father, grandfather or an even earlier male ancestor. A component of a name based on the name of one's mother or a female ancestor is a matronymic. Each is a means of conveying lineage.In many areas patronyms...
, or the adoption of the father's first given name, followed by "son" or "daughter". For example, Magnús and Anna, children of a man named Pétur Jónsson, would have the full name Magnús Pétursson and Anna Pétursdóttir, respectively. Magnús's daughter Sigríður Ásta would be Sigríður Ásta Magnúsdóttir, and would remain so for the rest of her life regardless of marriage. An Icelandic patronymic is essentially only a designation of fatherhood, and is therefore redundant in Icelandic social life except to differentiate people of the same first name — the phone directory, for example, lists people by their given name first, patronymic second. Thus it has little in common with traditional surnames except for its position after the given name. It is legally possible in Iceland to rework the patronymic into a matronymic
Matronymic
A matronymic is a personal name based on the name of one's mother, grandmother, or any female ancestor. It is the female equivalent of a patronymic. In patriarchal societies, matronymic surnames are far less common than patronyms. In the past, matronymic last names were often given to children of...
, replacing the father's name with the mother's. Use of the patronymic system is required by law, except for the descendants of those who had acquired family names before 1913 (about 10% of the population). One notable Icelander who has an inherited family name is football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
star Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen
Eiður Guðjohnsen
Eiður Smári Guðjohnsen is an Icelandic footballer who currently plays for AEK Athens F.C. in the Superleague Greece. He has previously played for Premier League club Chelsea and FC Barcelona of Spain, having made his name with Bolton Wanderers. He was the captain of the Iceland national team until...
.
See also: Icelandic naming conventions
Icelandic name
Icelandic names differ from most current Western family name systems by being patronymic in that they reflect the immediate father of the child and not the historic family lineage....
Icelandic National Registry
All living Icelanders, as well as all foreign citizens with permanent residence in Iceland, have a personal identification number (kennitala) identifying them in the National Registry. This number is composed of 10 digits, whereof the first six are made up of the individual's birth date in the format DDMMYY. The next two digits are chosen at random when the kennitala is allocated, the 9th digit is a check digit, and the last digit indicates the period of one hundred years in which the individual was born (for instance, '9' for the period 1900–1999). An example would be 120192-3389. While similar, all-inclusive personal registries exist in other countries, the use of the national registry is unusually extensive in Iceland. For example, video rentals register their customers using the registry identification numbers. It is worth noting that the completeness of the National Registry eliminates any need for census to be performed.Summary of vital statistics since 1900
| Average population (x 1000) | Live births | Deaths | Natural change | Crude birth rate (per 1000) | Crude death rate (per 1000) | Natural change (per 1000) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1900 | 78 | 2 237 | 1 545 | 692 | 28.6 | 19.8 | 8.9 |
| 1901 | 78 | 2 179 | 1 155 | 1 024 | 27.8 | 14.7 | 13.1 |
| 1902 | 79 | 2 220 | 1 262 | 958 | 28.1 | 16.0 | 12.1 |
| 1903 | 79 | 2 244 | 1 324 | 920 | 28.3 | 16.7 | 11.6 |
| 1904 | 80 | 2 293 | 1 242 | 1 051 | 28.7 | 15.5 | 13.1 |
| 1905 | 81 | 2 271 | 1 435 | 836 | 28.1 | 17.8 | 10.4 |
| 1906 | 82 | 2 346 | 1 193 | 1 153 | 28.8 | 14.6 | 14.1 |
| 1907 | 83 | 2 304 | 1 396 | 908 | 27.9 | 16.9 | 11.0 |
| 1908 | 83 | 2 270 | 1 594 | 676 | 27.3 | 19.1 | 8.1 |
| 1909 | 84 | 2 283 | 1 263 | 1 020 | 27.2 | 15.0 | 12.1 |
| 1910 | 85 | 2 171 | 1 304 | 867 | 25.6 | 15.4 | 10.2 |
| 1911 | 85 | 2 205 | 1 152 | 1 053 | 25.8 | 13.5 | 12.3 |
| 1912 | 86 | 2 234 | 1 171 | 1 063 | 26.0 | 13.6 | 12.4 |
| 1913 | 87 | 2 216 | 1 060 | 1 156 | 25.6 | 12.2 | 13.3 |
| 1914 | 88 | 2 338 | 1 428 | 910 | 26.7 | 16.3 | 10.4 |
| 1915 | 89 | 2 446 | 1 376 | 1 070 | 27.6 | 15.5 | 12.1 |
| 1916 | 89 | 2 377 | 1 322 | 1 055 | 26.6 | 14.8 | 11.8 |
| 1917 | 91 | 2 427 | 1 111 | 1 316 | 26.8 | 12.3 | 14.5 |
| 1918 | 92 | 2 441 | 1 518 | 923 | 26.6 | 16.6 | 10.1 |
| 1919 | 92 | 2 342 | 1 169 | 1 173 | 25.4 | 12.7 | 12.7 |
| 1920 | 94 | 2 627 | 1 360 | 1 267 | 28.1 | 14.5 | 13.5 |
| 1921 | 95 | 2 601 | 1 478 | 1 123 | 27.4 | 15.6 | 11.8 |
| 1922 | 96 | 2 546 | 1 280 | 1 266 | 26.6 | 13.4 | 13.2 |
| 1923 | 97 | 2 612 | 1 287 | 1 325 | 26.9 | 13.3 | 13.7 |
| 1924 | 98 | 2 525 | 1 462 | 1 063 | 25.7 | 14.9 | 10.8 |
| 1925 | 99 | 2 554 | 1 229 | 1 325 | 25.7 | 12.4 | 13.3 |
| 1926 | 101 | 2 676 | 1 121 | 1 555 | 26.5 | 11.1 | 15.4 |
| 1927 | 103 | 2 642 | 1 282 | 1 360 | 25.8 | 12.5 | 13.3 |
| 1928 | 104 | 2 542 | 1 124 | 1 418 | 24.4 | 10.8 | 13.6 |
| 1929 | 106 | 2 644 | 1 237 | 1 407 | 25.0 | 11.7 | 13.3 |
| 1930 | 107 | 2 808 | 1 248 | 1 560 | 26.1 | 11.6 | 14.5 |
| 1931 | 109 | 2 804 | 1 277 | 1 527 | 25.7 | 11.7 | 14.0 |
| 1932 | 111 | 2 696 | 1 191 | 1 505 | 24.4 | 10.8 | 13.6 |
| 1933 | 112 | 2 531 | 1 159 | 1 372 | 22.5 | 10.3 | 12.2 |
| 1934 | 114 | 2 597 | 1 181 | 1 416 | 22.8 | 10.4 | 12.4 |
| 1935 | 115 | 2 551 | 1 402 | 1 149 | 22.1 | 12.2 | 10.0 |
| 1936 | 116 | 2 557 | 1 253 | 1 304 | 22.0 | 10.8 | 11.2 |
| 1937 | 117 | 2 397 | 1 317 | 1 080 | 20.4 | 11.2 | 9.2 |
| 1938 | 118 | 2 374 | 1 207 | 1 167 | 20.1 | 10.2 | 9.9 |
| 1939 | 120 | 2 363 | 1 160 | 1 203 | 19.8 | 9.7 | 10.1 |
| 1940 | 121 | 2 480 | 1 200 | 1 280 | 20.5 | 9.9 | 10.6 |
| 1941 | 122 | 2 634 | 1 352 | 1 282 | 21.6 | 11.1 | 10.5 |
| 1942 | 123 | 3 005 | 1 293 | 1 712 | 24.4 | 10.5 | 13.9 |
| 1943 | 125 | 3 173 | 1 268 | 1 905 | 25.4 | 10.1 | 15.2 |
| 1944 | 127 | 3 213 | 1 218 | 1 995 | 25.3 | 9.6 | 15.7 |
| 1945 | 129 | 3 434 | 1 179 | 2 255 | 26.6 | 9.1 | 17.5 |
| 1946 | 132 | 3 434 | 1 121 | 2 313 | 26.1 | 8.5 | 17.6 |
| 1947 | 134 | 3 703 | 1 162 | 2 541 | 27.6 | 8.6 | 18.9 |
| 1948 | 137 | 3 821 | 1 114 | 2 707 | 27.8 | 8.1 | 19.7 |
| 1949 | 140 | 3 884 | 1 106 | 2 778 | 27.8 | 7.9 | 19.9 |
| 1950 | 143 | 4 093 | 1 122 | 2 971 | 28.7 | 7.9 | 20.8 |
| 1951 | 145 | 3 999 | 1 145 | 2 854 | 27.5 | 7.9 | 19.6 |
| 1952 | 148 | 4 075 | 1 082 | 2 993 | 27.5 | 7.3 | 20.2 |
| 1953 | 151 | 4 254 | 1 118 | 3 136 | 28.1 | 7.4 | 20.7 |
| 1954 | 154 | 4 281 | 1 064 | 3 217 | 27.7 | 6.9 | 20.8 |
| 1955 | 158 | 4 505 | 1 099 | 3 406 | 28.5 | 7.0 | 21.6 |
| 1956 | 161 | 4 603 | 1 153 | 3 450 | 28.5 | 7.1 | 21.4 |
| 1957 | 165 | 4 725 | 1 157 | 3 568 | 28.6 | 7.0 | 21.6 |
| 1958 | 168 | 4 641 | 1 165 | 3 476 | 27.5 | 6.9 | 20.6 |
| 1959 | 172 | 4 837 | 1 242 | 3 595 | 28.1 | 7.2 | 20.9 |
| 1960 | 176 | 4 916 | 1 167 | 3 749 | 28.0 | 6.6 | 21.3 |
| 1961 | 179 | 4 563 | 1 248 | 3 315 | 25.5 | 7.0 | 18.5 |
| 1962 | 182 | 4 711 | 1 237 | 3 474 | 25.9 | 6.8 | 19.1 |
| 1963 | 186 | 4 820 | 1 327 | 3 493 | 26.0 | 7.2 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 189 | 4 787 | 1 315 | 3 472 | 25.3 | 7.0 | 18.4 |
| 1965 | 192 | 4 721 | 1 291 | 3 430 | 24.6 | 6.7 | 17.8 |
| 1966 | 196 | 4 692 | 1 391 | 3 301 | 24.0 | 7.1 | 16.9 |
| 1967 | 199 | 4 404 | 1 385 | 3 019 | 22.2 | 7.0 | 15.2 |
| 1968 | 201 | 4 227 | 1 390 | 2 837 | 21.0 | 6.9 | 14.1 |
| 1969 | 203 | 4 218 | 1 451 | 2 767 | 20.8 | 7.2 | 13.6 |
| 1970 | 204 | 4 023 | 1 457 | 2 566 | 19.7 | 7.1 | 12.6 |
| 1971 | 206 | 4 277 | 1 501 | 2 776 | 20.8 | 7.3 | 13.5 |
| 1972 | 209 | 4 676 | 1 447 | 3 229 | 22.3 | 6.9 | 15.4 |
| 1973 | 212 | 4 598 | 1 475 | 3 123 | 21.7 | 6.9 | 14.7 |
| 1974 | 215 | 4 276 | 1 495 | 2 781 | 19.9 | 6.9 | 12.9 |
| 1975 | 218 | 4 384 | 1 412 | 2 972 | 20.1 | 6.5 | 13.6 |
| 1976 | 220 | 4 291 | 1 343 | 2 948 | 19.5 | 6.1 | 13.4 |
| 1977 | 222 | 3 996 | 1 435 | 2 561 | 18.0 | 6.5 | 11.5 |
| 1978 | 224 | 4 162 | 1 421 | 2 741 | 18.6 | 6.4 | 12.3 |
| 1979 | 226 | 4 475 | 1 482 | 2 993 | 19.8 | 6.6 | 13.3 |
| 1980 | 228 | 4 528 | 1 538 | 2 990 | 19.8 | 6.7 | 13.1 |
| 1981 | 231 | 4 345 | 1 656 | 2 689 | 18.8 | 7.2 | 11.7 |
| 1982 | 234 | 4 337 | 1 583 | 2 754 | 18.5 | 6.8 | 11.8 |
| 1983 | 237 | 4 371 | 1 653 | 2 718 | 18.4 | 7.0 | 11.5 |
| 1984 | 240 | 4 113 | 1 584 | 2 529 | 17.2 | 6.6 | 10.6 |
| 1985 | 241 | 3 856 | 1 652 | 2 204 | 16.0 | 6.8 | 9.1 |
| 1986 | 243 | 3 881 | 1 598 | 2 283 | 16.0 | 6.6 | 9.4 |
| 1987 | 246 | 4 193 | 1 724 | 2 469 | 17.0 | 7.0 | 10.0 |
| 1988 | 250 | 4 673 | 1 818 | 2 855 | 18.7 | 7.3 | 11.4 |
| 1989 | 253 | 4 560 | 1 716 | 2 844 | 18.0 | 6.8 | 11.3 |
| 1990 | 255 | 4 768 | 1 704 | 3 064 | 18.7 | 6.7 | 12.0 |
| 1991 | 258 | 4 533 | 1 796 | 2 737 | 17.6 | 7.0 | 10.6 |
| 1992 | 261 | 4 609 | 1 719 | 2 890 | 17.7 | 6.6 | 11.1 |
| 1993 | 264 | 4 623 | 1 753 | 2 870 | 17.5 | 6.6 | 10.9 |
| 1994 | 266 | 4 442 | 1 717 | 2 725 | 16.7 | 6.5 | 10.2 |
| 1995 | 267 | 4 280 | 1 923 | 2 357 | 16.0 | 7.2 | 8.8 |
| 1996 | 269 | 4 329 | 1 879 | 2 450 | 16.1 | 7.0 | 9.1 |
| 1997 | 271 | 4 151 | 1 843 | 2 308 | 15.3 | 6.8 | 8.5 |
| 1998 | 274 | 4 178 | 1 821 | 2 357 | 15.2 | 6.6 | 8.6 |
| 1999 | 277 | 4 100 | 1 901 | 2 199 | 14.8 | 6.9 | 7.9 |
| 2000 | 281 | 4 315 | 1 823 | 2 492 | 15.3 | 6.5 | 8.9 |
| 2001 | 285 | 4 091 | 1 725 | 2 366 | 14.4 | 6.1 | 8.3 |
| 2002 | 288 | 4 049 | 1 821 | 2 228 | 14.1 | 6.3 | 7.7 |
| 2003 | 290 | 4 143 | 1 827 | 2 316 | 14.3 | 6.3 | 8.0 |
| 2004 | 292 | 4 234 | 1 824 | 2 410 | 14.5 | 6.2 | 8.3 |
| 2005 | 297 | 4 280 | 1 838 | 2 442 | 14.4 | 6.2 | 8.2 |
| 2006 | 304 | 4 415 | 1 903 | 2 512 | 14.5 | 6.3 | 8.3 |
| 2007 | 312 | 4 560 | 1 943 | 2 617 | 14.6 | 6.2 | 8.4 |
| 2008 | 317 | 4 835 | 1 987 | 2 848 | 15.2 | 6.3 | 9.0 |
| 2009 | 318 | 5 027 | 2 002 | 3 025 | 15.8 | 6.3 | 9.5 |
| 2010 | 318 | ||||||
| Average population (x 1000) | Live births | Deaths | Natural change | Crude birth rate (per 1000) | Crude death rate (per 1000) | Natural change (per 1000) |
Culture
The Icelandic Sagas, almost all written between 1180–1300 AD, remain Iceland's best known literary accomplishment, and they have no surviving counterpart anywhere in the NordicNordic countries
The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland...
world. Based on Norwegian and Icelandic histories and genealogies, the Sagas present views of Nordic life and times up to 1100 AD. The Saga writers sought to record their heroes' great achievements and to glorify the virtues of courage, pride, and honour, focusing in the later Sagas on early Icelandic settlers.
Unlike its literature, Iceland's fine arts did not flourish until the 19th century because the population was small and scattered. Iceland's most famous painters are Ásgrímur Jónsson
Ásgrímur Jónsson
Ásgrímur Jónsson was an Icelandic painter, and one of the first in the country to make art a professional living. He studied at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen between 1900-1903 and traveled widely after graduation....
, Jón Stefánsson, and Jóhannes Kjarval, all of whom worked during the first half of the 20th century, and Erró
Erró
Erró is a postmodern artist. He studied art in Norway and in Italy, and has resided in Paris, Thailand and on the island of Formentera for most of his life...
(Guðmundur Guðmundsson). The best-known modern sculptor, Ásmundur Sveinsson
Ásmundur Sveinsson
Ásmundur Sveinsson was an Icelandic sculptor, was born at Kolsstadir in West Iceland on May 20, 1893 and died in Reykjavík on December 9, 1982.-Early years:...
(1893–1982), drew his inspiration from Icelandic folklore and the Sagas for many of his works.
The best known Icelandic writer of the 20th century is the Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prizes are annual international awards bestowed by Scandinavian committees in recognition of cultural and scientific advances. The will of the Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, established the prizes in 1895...
winner Halldór Laxness
Halldór Laxness
Halldór Kiljan Laxness was a twentieth-century Icelandic writer. Throughout his career Laxness wrote poetry, newspaper articles, plays, travelogues, short stories, and novels...
. The literacy rate is 100%, and literature and poetry are a passion with the population. Per capita publication of books and magazines is the highest in the world . In 2000, a population of around 280,000 enjoyed three daily newspapers and 101 other newspapers and periodicals.
The bass
Bass (voice type)
A bass is a type of male singing voice and possesses the lowest vocal range of all voice types. According to The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, a bass is typically classified as having a range extending from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C...
Kristinn Sigmundsson
Kristinn Sigmundsson
Kristinn Sigmundsson is an Icelandic foremost bass opera singer with an international career. He studied biology at the University of Iceland and worked for some time as a teacher before commencing his song studies under Guðmundur Jónsson at the Reykjavik Academy of Singing.Later, he studied at...
and the tenor
Tenor
The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2...
Kristján Jóhannsson
Kristjan Johannsson
Kristján Jóhannsson is an Icelandic operatic tenor particularly known for his performances in Verdian roles, and especially as Radames in Aida.-Biography:...
are Iceland's most famous opera singers, whilst pop singer Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
is probably the country's best known artist in this century. Other notable Icelandic acts include múm
Múm
múm are an experimental Icelandic musical group whose music is characterized by soft vocals, electronic glitch beats and effects, and a variety of traditional and unconventional instruments.- History :...
, hard rock band Mínus
Mínus
Mínus is an Icelandic alternative rock/hardcore band from Reykjavík. They are signed to the record label Smekkleysa. Mínus have shared the stage with, among others, Metallica, Foo Fighters, and Queens of the Stone Age...
, and internationally renowned post-rock band Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós
Sigur Rós is an Icelandic post-rock band with classicaland minimalist elements. The band is known for its ethereal sound, and frontman Jónsi Birgisson's falsetto vocals and use of bowed guitar. In January 2010, the band announced that they will be on hiatus. Since then, it has since been announced...
.
CIA World Factbook demographic statistics
The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.Population:
309,605 (October 2007 estimate), of whom 195,301 (60%) live in the Reykjavík metropolitan area.
Age structure:
0–14 years:
21.5% (male 32,818; female 31,614)
15–64 years:
67.5% (male 111,216; female 100,367)
65 years and over:
11.0% (male 15,589; female 18,001) (2007 est.)
Total: 309,605
Sex ratio:
at birth:
1.04 males: 1 female
under 15 years:
1.03 males: 1 female
15–64 years:
1.03 males: 1 female
65 years and over:
0.83 males: 1 female
total population:
1 male: 1 female
(2004 estimate)
Infant mortality rate:
3.31 deaths: 1,000 live births
(2004 estimate)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
80.18 years
male:
78.18 years
female:
82.27 years
(2004 estimate)
Total fertility rate:
2.14 children born: 1 woman
(2008 estimate)
Nationality:
noun:
Icelander(s)
adjective:
Icelandic
Ethnic groups:
93% Icelandic,
7.0% other
Religions:
As of 2002: Lutheran 87.1%, Protestant 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.7% and other 7.1% (Ásatrú
Ásatrú
is a form of Germanic neopaganism which developed in the United States from the 1970s....
is officially recognized with some 0.3% as of 2005)
Languages:
Icelandic
Icelandic language
Icelandic is a North Germanic language, the main language of Iceland. Its closest relative is Faroese.Icelandic is an Indo-European language belonging to the North Germanic or Nordic branch of the Germanic languages. Historically, it was the westernmost of the Indo-European languages prior to the...
(English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and a second Nordic language, Danish
Danish language
Danish is a North Germanic language spoken by around six million people, principally in the country of Denmark. It is also spoken by 50,000 Germans of Danish ethnicity in the northern parts of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, where it holds the status of minority language...
by default, are also a part of the Icelandic compulsory education
Compulsory education
Compulsory education refers to a period of education that is required of all persons.-Antiquity to Medieval Era:Although Plato's The Republic is credited with having popularized the concept of compulsory education in Western intellectual thought, every parent in Judea since Moses's Covenant with...
)http://bella.mrn.stjr.is/utgafur/skolenska.pdf
Literacy:
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
99.9% (1997 est.)
male:
NA%
female:
NA%