Employment-to-population ratio — all countries

Employment-to-population ratio — Iceland

Employment-to-population ratio in Iceland in 2025 — 72.21%. Ranked 17 in the world out of 182. Since 1991, the indicator has risen by 1.32 pp.

2025 72.21% −0.24 pp vs 2024
World rank 17of 182
Period maximum 76.36%2000
Period minimum 68.97%2011

Trend over time

1991–2025 · % of population aged 15+

Employment-to-population ratio — Iceland, 1991–202568707274767819911995199920032007201120152019202320251991: 70.89%1992: 70.1%1993: 69.08%1994: 69.28%1995: 71.74%1996: 71.71%1997: 70.79%1998: 72.7%1999: 74.61%2000: 76.36%2001: 76.32%2002: 74.43%2003: 74.14%2004: 73.24%2005: 73.8%2006: 74.71%2007: 75.42%2008: 74.17%2009: 69.43%2010: 69.04%2011: 68.97%2012: 69.82%2013: 70.87%2014: 72.25%2015: 73.63%2016: 75.11%2017: 74.78%2018: 73.92%2019: 73.04%2020: 69.53%2021: 68.99%2022: 71.65%2023: 72.12%2024: 72.45%2025: 72.21%
Change over the period: +1.32 pp Annual average: 0.04 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Iceland

Iceland 72.21%
World 58.06%
Northern Europe computed 58.85%
High-income countries computed 58.43%
Employment-to-population ratio — Iceland, by year Iceland All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 72.21 −0.24 pp
2024 72.45 +0.33 pp
2023 72.12 +0.47 pp
2022 71.65 +2.66 pp
2021 68.99 −0.54 pp
2020 69.53 −3.52 pp
2019 73.04 −0.88 pp
2018 73.92 −0.86 pp
2017 74.78 −0.33 pp
2016 75.11 +1.49 pp
2015 73.63 +1.38 pp
2014 72.25 +1.38 pp
2013 70.87 +1.05 pp
2012 69.82 +0.85 pp
2011 68.97 −0.06 pp
2010 69.04 −0.39 pp
2009 69.43 −4.74 pp
2008 74.17 −1.26 pp
2007 75.42 +0.71 pp
2006 74.71 +0.91 pp
2005 73.8 +0.57 pp
2004 73.24 −0.91 pp
2003 74.14 −0.29 pp
2002 74.43 −1.89 pp
2001 76.32 −0.03 pp
2000 76.36 +1.75 pp
1999 74.61 +1.9 pp
1998 72.7 +1.91 pp
1997 70.79 −0.91 pp
1996 71.71 −0.03 pp
1995 71.74 +2.46 pp
1994 69.28 +0.2 pp
1993 69.08 −1.02 pp
1992 70.1 −0.79 pp
1991 70.89

About the indicator

The ratio of the employed to the population aged 15 and over. Unlike the unemployment rate it does not depend on whether a person is looking for work, so it captures the actual involvement of the population in the economy better. Employment and unemployment together give the full picture: low unemployment alongside low employment means mass withdrawal from the labor force.

Source: ILOSTAT (ILO), license CC BY 4.0.