GeoRealityMatch
Stunning aerial view of Reykjavik with Esja Mountain in the backdrop during summer.Moody black and white capture of Iceland's coastline with snowy mountains and cloudy sky.

Iceland

Europe · Northern Europe

Very high safetyVery expensive cost of livingVery high development

It is one of the most peaceful countries, and incomes are high. Living costs are high.

Digital NomadOffers a digital nomad visa and home internet at 347 Mbps.
vs Norway
Safety

Most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.161lower is more peacefulVery high safety
#1 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
1.3per 100,000 people a yearLowUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
74.5Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferHighNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes above the median country

GNI per person
$89,220national income per person, US dollarsVery high
World Bank · 2025
Rent index
49.5New York = 100Very expensiveNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
7.7years of median income to buy a median flatVery affordableNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 69% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 13% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$50K$100K$83,431 PPP$98,323Inflation, % a year15%0200620102015202020252006, $58,172 a person, $40,161 at PPP, inflation 6.7%2007, $70,483 a person, $42,060 at PPP, inflation 5.1%2008, $57,489 a person, $44,147 at PPP, inflation 12.7%2009, $41,484 a person, $42,070 at PPP, inflation 12%2010, $43,776 a person, $40,260 at PPP, inflation 5.4%2011, $48,255 a person, $41,400 at PPP, inflation 4%2012, $46,595 a person, $42,552 at PPP, inflation 5.2%2013, $50,173 a person, $44,738 at PPP, inflation 3.9%2014, $55,140 a person, $46,472 at PPP, inflation 2%2015, $53,506 a person, $49,716 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2016, $62,854 a person, $54,228 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2017, $72,976 a person, $56,385 at PPP, inflation 1.8%2018, $75,634 a person, $58,106 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2019, $69,296 a person, $61,270 at PPP, inflation 3%2020, $60,128 a person, $56,841 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2021, $70,425 a person, $62,721 at PPP, inflation 4.4%2022, $76,377 a person, $76,592 at PPP, inflation 8.3%2023, $82,201 a person, $82,257 at PPP, inflation 8.7%2024, $85,863 a person, $83,561 at PPP, inflation 5.9%2025, $98,323 a person, $83,431 at PPP, inflation 4.1%$0$50K$100KInflation, % a year15%0200620102015202020252006, $58,172 a person, $40,161 at PPP, inflation 6.7%2007, $70,483 a person, $42,060 at PPP, inflation 5.1%2008, $57,489 a person, $44,147 at PPP, inflation 12.7%2009, $41,484 a person, $42,070 at PPP, inflation 12%2010, $43,776 a person, $40,260 at PPP, inflation 5.4%2011, $48,255 a person, $41,400 at PPP, inflation 4%2012, $46,595 a person, $42,552 at PPP, inflation 5.2%2013, $50,173 a person, $44,738 at PPP, inflation 3.9%2014, $55,140 a person, $46,472 at PPP, inflation 2%2015, $53,506 a person, $49,716 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2016, $62,854 a person, $54,228 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2017, $72,976 a person, $56,385 at PPP, inflation 1.8%2018, $75,634 a person, $58,106 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2019, $69,296 a person, $61,270 at PPP, inflation 3%2020, $60,128 a person, $56,841 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2021, $70,425 a person, $62,721 at PPP, inflation 4.4%2022, $76,377 a person, $76,592 at PPP, inflation 8.3%2023, $82,201 a person, $82,257 at PPP, inflation 8.7%2024, $85,863 a person, $83,561 at PPP, inflation 5.9%2025, $98,323 a person, $83,431 at PPP, inflation 4.1%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Among the longest-lived countries

Life expectancy
82.8years, at birthVery high
#21 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
90WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100Very highWHO · 2023
Air pollution
5.6PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery lowWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Among the lowest youth unemployment in Europe

Youth unemployment
9.5%share of 15 to 24 year olds in the labour forceVery low
Eurostat · 2025
Home internet
347 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet347 MbpsVery fast

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaMedium

Minimum income
kr1,000,000 a monthabout $7,400
Duration
6 months
Renewable
No
Application fee
kr12,200about $90
  • Tax treatmentExempt
  • Processing timeAbout 30 days
  • Health insuranceRequired
  • DependantsAllowed
  • Apply onlineIn person or at a consulate
  • Path to residencyNo
  • NationalitiesSome are restricted
Official page
Moody black and white capture of Iceland's coastline with snowy mountains and cloudy sky.
How it changed

Iceland's Human Development Index

0.972Very high human development

1st of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 1st of 44 in Europe.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #1Iceland0.972
  2. #2Norway0.970
  3. #2Switzerland0.970
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.841 in 1990 to 0.972 in 2023.

0.800.901.000.97219902000201020231990: 0.8411991: 0.8531992: 0.8601993: 0.8631994: 0.8681995: 0.8631996: 0.8731997: 0.8811998: 0.8931999: 0.8952000: 0.9022001: 0.9102002: 0.9172003: 0.9252004: 0.9282005: 0.9352006: 0.9362007: 0.9412008: 0.9352009: 0.9342010: 0.9352011: 0.9412012: 0.9462013: 0.9502014: 0.9542015: 0.9562016: 0.9592017: 0.9622018: 0.9662019: 0.9692020: 0.9652021: 0.9672022: 0.9642023: 0.9720.800.901.0019902000201020231990: 0.8411991: 0.8531992: 0.8601993: 0.8631994: 0.8681995: 0.8631996: 0.8731997: 0.8811998: 0.8931999: 0.8952000: 0.9022001: 0.9102002: 0.9172003: 0.9252004: 0.9282005: 0.9352006: 0.9362007: 0.9412008: 0.9352009: 0.9342010: 0.9352011: 0.9412012: 0.9462013: 0.9502014: 0.9542015: 0.9562016: 0.9592017: 0.9622018: 0.9662019: 0.9692020: 0.9652021: 0.9672022: 0.9642023: 0.972

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
82.8 years2024at birthUp 1.3 years from 81.5 years in 2005
Internet users
98%2024of people onlineUp 9 points from 90% in 2006
Urban population
94%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 2 points from 92% in 2006
Births per woman
1.562024births per womanDown 0.49 from 2.05 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
82%2021of energy usedUp 21 points from 62% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Infant mortality
22024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsLevel with 2005
CO2 emissions per person
8.5 t2024of CO2 per person a yearDown 2 t from 10.5 t in 2005
Forest area
1%2023of land under forestLevel with 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

World's most peaceful country: raw volcanic nature, very expensive, tiny population. The case for living here is peace, high incomes and long lives. The case against is a high cost of living.

About Iceland

Iceland is a North Atlantic island of volcanic landscapes, geysers, waterfalls, hot springs, and Northern Lights that has become one of the world's most photographed destinations. The culture is deeply rooted in Norse saga traditions and a close relationship with a nature that is genuinely powerful and unpredictable. The country suits those who love dramatic landscapes and outdoor adventure, though the tourist infrastructure has expanded rapidly and prices reflect that.

Practical facts

  • CapitalReykjavik
  • LanguagesIcelandic
  • CurrencyIcelandic króna (ISK)
  • Area100,830 km²
  • Plug typeType C/F
  • Drives on theright
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Quick answers

What is Iceland's Human Development Index?

Iceland's Human Development Index is 0.972 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #1 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Iceland safe?

Iceland scores 1.16 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #1 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Iceland?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Iceland at 97.2 (New York = 100); that is #140 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Iceland?

Life expectancy at birth in Iceland is 82.8 yrs (World Bank), ranked #21 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Iceland?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Iceland at 195.8, ranked #9 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.