Iceland Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Iceland's urban population was 94.18% in 2025, ranked 23rd globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Iceland's urban population stood at 94.18% in 2025, a decline of +0.00% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 94.18% by 2025. Iceland ranked 23rd globally.
Iceland’s urban population stood at 94.18% in 2025, ranking 23rd globally and reflecting a long-term trend of sustained urbanization. The figure has risen steadily from a trough of 80.35% in 1960, peaking at 94.21% in 2021 before a marginal decline. Over 66 years of recorded data, Iceland has transitioned into one of the most urbanized nations worldwide, with nearly all of its residents now classified as living in urban areas. This level of urbanization is comparable to that of Puerto Rico (US), which reported 94.30% urban population in the same year, as well as Guam at 94.19%. The country’s geographic constraints, concentrated infrastructure, and economic reliance on services centered in the Greater Reykjavík area have contributed to this high rate. Given the already elevated share of urban dwellers, future shifts in Iceland’s urban population are likely to be minimal unless significant changes occur in rural development policies or settlement patterns in remote regions. Sustained urban growth may depend on technological, environmental, or demographic factors influencing livability outside major population centers.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 94.19% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 94.18% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 94.18% | - | - |
| 2025 | 94.18% | −0.00% | #23 |
| 2024 | 94.18% | +0.03% | #196 |
| 2023 | 94.15% | −0.03% | #196 |
| 2022 | 94.18% | −0.03% | #197 |
| 2021 | 94.21% | +0.07% | #197 |
| 2020 | 94.14% | +0.16% | #198 |
| 2019 | 93.98% | +0.12% | #198 |
| 2018 | 93.85% | +0.08% | #197 |
| 2017 | 93.77% | −0.01% | #197 |
| 2016 | 93.78% | +0.05% | #197 |
| 2015 | 93.73% | +0.11% | #197 |
| 2014 | 93.62% | +0.00% | #197 |
| 2013 | 93.62% | +0.10% | #197 |
| 2012 | 93.51% | +0.10% | #197 |
| 2011 | 93.41% | −0.05% | #197 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Iceland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Iceland's urban population was 94.18% in 2025. Ranked 23rd globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from the previous year.
Iceland's urban population peaked at 94.21% in 2021.
The lowest urban population in Iceland was 80.35% in 1960.
Iceland ranks 23rd globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Iceland's urban population is projected to reach 94.18% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Iceland in 2025 was 94.18%. This ranks 23rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_iceland_urban-population,
title = {Iceland Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/iceland/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}