Iceland Dependency Ratio
Age dependency ratio (% of working-age population) SP.POP.DPND
Iceland's dependency ratio was 50.29 in 2025, ranked 149th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Iceland's dependency ratio stood at 50.29 in 2025, a rise of +0.12 from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 50.29 by 2025. Iceland ranked 149th globally.
Iceland's dependency ratio, a measure of the proportion of its population that is either too young or too old to work, has fluctuated significantly over the past six and a half decades. At its all-time peak in 1962, the ratio stood at 76.01, indicating a substantial burden on the working-age population. However, this trend reversed during the global financial crisis, and by 2008, the ratio had declined to 48.08, its lowest point. Since then, it has gradually increased, reaching 50.29 in 2025, ranking Iceland 149 globally. Notably, this figure is comparable to that of Djibouti, which has a similar dependency ratio of 50.58. The aging of Iceland's population, driven by a low fertility rate and an increasing life expectancy, is likely to continue, potentially exacerbating the strain on the workforce. If Iceland's fertility rate were to increase, this trajectory could be altered, potentially alleviating some of the pressure on the working-age population.
Data & projection
| Year | Dependency Ratio | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 50.35 | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 50.32 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 50.29 | - | - |
| 2025 | 50.29 | +0.12 | #149 |
| 2024 | 50.17 | +0.01 | #67 |
| 2023 | 50.16 | −0.19 | #67 |
| 2022 | 50.35 | −0.01 | #68 |
| 2021 | 50.36 | +0.45 | #67 |
| 2020 | 49.91 | +0.27 | #66 |
| 2019 | 49.64 | −0.29 | #69 |
| 2018 | 49.92 | −0.63 | #72 |
| 2017 | 50.55 | −0.53 | #77 |
| 2016 | 51.08 | −0.14 | #87 |
| 2015 | 51.22 | +0.15 | #95 |
| 2014 | 51.07 | +0.33 | #96 |
| 2013 | 50.74 | +0.42 | #96 |
| 2012 | 50.32 | +0.43 | #94 |
| 2011 | 49.89 | +0.49 | #92 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iceland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw dependency ratio improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iceland's dependency ratio was 50.29 in 2025. Ranked 149th globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from the previous year.
Iceland's dependency ratio peaked at 76.01 in 1962.
The lowest dependency ratio in Iceland was 48.08 in 2008.
Iceland ranks 149th globally in dependency ratio as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.POP.DPND. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iceland's dependency ratio is projected to reach 50.29 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The dependency ratio of Iceland in 2025 was 50.29. This ranks 149th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iceland_dependency-ratio,
title = {Iceland Dependency Ratio},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iceland/dependency-ratio/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}