Iceland Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Iceland's poverty rate was 0.10% in 2019, ranked 12th globally. This represents a 66.7% decrease from 2018. Data from World Bank, covering 2003–2019.
Overview
Iceland's poverty rate stood at 0.10% in 2019, a decline of +0.20pp from 2018. Iceland ranked 12th globally.
Iceland's poverty rate has experienced a notable fluctuation over the past 17 years. The country initially experienced a zero poverty rate in 2003 and 2017, indicating a remarkable level of economic stability. However, it reached an all-time peak of 0.30% in 2018, before declining to 0.10% in 2019, mirroring global trends. This latest figure positions Iceland as the 12th country globally with the lowest poverty rate, alongside peer nations such as Ireland and Luxembourg, both also at 0.10% in 2019. The country's ability to maintain a low poverty rate, coupled with its economic resilience, has been a hallmark of its economic performance. A continued reliance on renewable energy sources and a strong service-oriented economy are likely to support Iceland's economic stability and further reduce poverty rates. However, any significant decline in global demand for Iceland's primary exports, such as aluminum, could potentially disrupt this trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0.10% | −0.20pp | #12 |
| 2018 | 0.30% | +0.30pp | #25 |
| 2017 | 0.00% | +0.00pp | #5 |
| 2016 | 0.00% | +0.00pp | #6 |
| 2015 | 0.00% | +0.00pp | #6 |
| 2014 | 0.00% | −0.10pp | #6 |
| 2013 | 0.10% | +0.10pp | #12 |
| 2012 | 0.00% | −0.20pp | #5 |
| 2011 | 0.20% | +0.10pp | #22 |
| 2010 | 0.10% | +0.00pp | #13 |
| 2009 | 0.10% | +0.00pp | #13 |
| 2008 | 0.10% | +0.00pp | #12 |
| 2007 | 0.10% | −0.10pp | #12 |
| 2006 | 0.20% | +0.20pp | #17 |
| 2005 | 0.00% | −0.20pp | #4 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iceland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iceland's poverty rate was 0.10% in 2019. Ranked 12th globally. This represents a 66.7% decrease from the previous year.
Iceland's poverty rate peaked at 0.30% in 2018.
The lowest poverty rate in Iceland was 0.00% in 2003.
Iceland ranks 12th globally in poverty rate as of 2019.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Iceland in 2019 was 0.10%. This ranks 12th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iceland_poverty-rate,
title = {Iceland Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iceland/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}