Of the foreign inhabitants residing in Iceland in 2023, the highest number had a Polish origin. Over 23,000 people with a Polish origin lived in Iceland. Danes, who made up the second largest group of foreign-born citizens, only counted 3,900 people. People from Poland also made up the largest group of people immigrating to Iceland in 2022.
Poles in Iceland
The number of immigrants from Poland started to increase after the country joined the European Union in 2004. Even though Iceland is not a member of the EU, it is a part of the European Economic Area (EEA), meaning that people from Poland do not need a residence or work permit when moving to Iceland. Traditionally, many Poles have been working in Iceland's important fishing industry, but in recent years, tourism, health care, and construction have also become important industries for Polish immigrants. In 2022, the tourism industry was the third largest employer in the country.
Employment in Iceland
The Nordic country is known for its high employment rates and high living standards. In 2022, more than 83 percent of the country's working age population was employed. This was the highest of the OECD countries that year.
Number of foreign inhabitants in Iceland in 2023, by country
Characteristic
Number of inhabitants
Poland
23,117
Lithuania
3,938
Denmark
3,846
Romania
3,246
United States
2,947
Ukraine
2,693
Latvia
2,575
Philippines
2,532
Germany
2,524
Sweden
2,400
United Kingdom
2,021
Thailand
1,530
Spain
1,519
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Number of inhabitants23,11723,1173,9383,9383,8463,8463,2463,2462,9472,9472,6932,6932,5752,5752,5322,5322,5242,5242,4002,4002,0212,0211,5301,5301,5191,5191,4151,4151,3881,3881,3111,3111,2331,2331,2231,2231,1791,1791,0001,000PolandLithuaniaDenmarkRomaniaUnited StatesUkraineLatviaPhilippinesGermanySwedenUnited KingdomThailandSpainForeign country not specifiedNorwayPortugalVenezuelaViet NamFranceCzechia
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The source adds the following information: 'Until 1992 Croatia was a member of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Persons are classified as born in Croatia who declared this when registering for the first time after 1991 or who have changed their registration after that. Some persons born within the current boundaries of Croatia may still be registered as born in Yugoslavia.'
'In 1993 Czechoslovakia was divided into the Czech and Slovak Republics. Persons are classified as born in Czechia who declared this when registering for the first time after 1992 or who have changed their registration after that. Some persons born within the current boundaries of Czechia may still be registered as born in Czech or Slovak Republic, unspecified (Czechoslovakia).'
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Statistics Iceland. (October 23, 2023). Number of foreign inhabitants in Iceland in 2023, by country [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/595038/foreign-inhabitants-by-country-of-birth-in-iceland/
Statistics Iceland. "Number of foreign inhabitants in Iceland in 2023, by country." Chart. October 23, 2023. Statista. Accessed February 21, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/595038/foreign-inhabitants-by-country-of-birth-in-iceland/
Statistics Iceland. (2023). Number of foreign inhabitants in Iceland in 2023, by country. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 21, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/595038/foreign-inhabitants-by-country-of-birth-in-iceland/
Statistics Iceland. "Number of Foreign Inhabitants in Iceland in 2023, by Country." Statista, Statista Inc., 23 Oct 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/595038/foreign-inhabitants-by-country-of-birth-in-iceland/
Statistics Iceland, Number of foreign inhabitants in Iceland in 2023, by country Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/595038/foreign-inhabitants-by-country-of-birth-in-iceland/ (last visited February 21, 2025)
Number of foreign inhabitants in Iceland in 2023, by country [Graph], Statistics Iceland, October 23, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/595038/foreign-inhabitants-by-country-of-birth-in-iceland/
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