Iceland Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Iceland's agriculture employment was 3.61% in 2025, ranked 46th globally. This represents a 2.5% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Iceland's agriculture employment stood at 3.61% in 2025, a decline of +0.09% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.44% by 2026. Iceland ranked 46th globally.
Iceland’s agricultural employment has undergone a pronounced structural decline, falling from an all-time peak of 10.45 percent in 1992 to 3.61 percent in 2025, the lowest point in its 35-year recorded history. This downward trajectory reflects broader economic shifts toward services, technology, and energy-intensive industries, consistent with patterns observed in advanced economies. At 3.61 percent in 2025, Iceland ranks 46th globally, placing it in close proximity to peer nations such as Slovenia, where agricultural employment stands at 3.66 percent, and Finland at 3.49 percent. The decline from over 10 percent in the early 1990s underscores a sustained transformation in labor markets, driven by mechanization, urbanization, and globalization. While agriculture remains culturally and regionally significant, its role as a major employer has substantially diminished. The trend is expected to continue gradually declining unless countered by policy interventions supporting rural development or new agricultural technologies that increase labor demand.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 3.17% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 3.31% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 3.44% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.61% | −0.09% | #46 |
| 2024 | 3.70% | −0.08% | #46 |
| 2023 | 3.78% | −0.32% | #47 |
| 2022 | 4.09% | −0.00% | #48 |
| 2021 | 4.09% | +0.05% | #48 |
| 2020 | 4.04% | +0.01% | #47 |
| 2019 | 4.04% | +0.01% | #46 |
| 2018 | 4.03% | +0.27% | #46 |
| 2017 | 3.76% | −0.14% | #42 |
| 2016 | 3.90% | −0.34% | #41 |
| 2015 | 4.24% | −0.30% | #44 |
| 2014 | 4.54% | +0.09% | #44 |
| 2013 | 4.44% | −1.10% | #43 |
| 2012 | 5.55% | +0.06% | #50 |
| 2011 | 5.49% | −0.10% | #51 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iceland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iceland's agriculture employment was 3.61% in 2025. Ranked 46th globally. This represents a 2.5% decrease from the previous year.
Iceland's agriculture employment peaked at 10.45% in 1992.
The lowest agriculture employment in Iceland was 3.61% in 2025.
Iceland ranks 46th globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iceland's agriculture employment is projected to reach 3.44% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Iceland in 2025 was 3.61%. This ranks 46th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iceland_agriculture-employment,
title = {Iceland Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iceland/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}