Iceland: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Iceland?

Life expectancy at birth in Iceland was 81.0 years for men and 84.2 years for women in 2025, according to Statistics Iceland's release on deaths in 2025, published 2 June 2026. Women's life expectancy fell 0.1 years from 2024 and men's rose 0.1 years.

Life expectancy is calculated from this year's death rates at each age, not a forecast. Over the past 35 years it has risen by five years for men and four for women. Infant mortality was 0.9 per 1,000 live births in 2025, and over 2015 to 2024 it averaged 2.0, among the lowest in Europe.

Official sources: Statistics Iceland: deaths in 2025

What is the average life expectancy in Iceland?

82.8 years: that is life expectancy at birth in Iceland for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. The peak was 83.2 years in 2021 and the low 81.2 years in 2006. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 79.5 years, and Iceland placed 13th highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 21st highest.

How many babies die in Iceland?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Iceland was 2.1 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 2.4 per 1,000; its low point was 2010, at 2.0 per 1,000. It is 41st highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.4 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 181st of 192.

How many women die in childbirth in Iceland?

3.0 per 100,000: that is the maternal mortality ratio in Iceland for 2023, according to the WHO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 43rd highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 6.0 per 100,000. Worldwide: 180th of 192.

What share of GDP does Iceland spend on health care?

In 2024, current health spending in Iceland was 9.0% of GDP, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 9.7% of GDP; its low point was 2015, at 8.1% of GDP. It is 10th highest of 17 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 9.4% of GDP.

How much do people in Iceland pay for health care themselves?

The WHO puts out-of-pocket health spending in Iceland at 14.9% in 2024. The peak was 18.7% in 2010 and the low 13.7% in 2022. Europe & Central Asia median: 14.1%; Iceland is 7th highest of 17.

How many doctors does Iceland have?

In 2023, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Iceland was 4.4 per 1,000, according to the WHO. The peak was 4.4 per 1,000 in 2022 and the low 3.5 per 1,000 in 2011. Europe & Central Asia median: 4.0 per 1,000; Iceland is 7th highest of 17. Of 58 countries with 2023 data, 8th highest.

What is hospital capacity in Iceland?

In 2020, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Iceland was 2.8 per 1,000, according to the WHO. The peak was 4.1 per 1,000 in 2007 and the low 2.8 per 1,000 in 2019. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 4.5 per 1,000, and Iceland placed 42nd highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 62nd of 131.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Iceland?

According to WHO and UNICEF, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Iceland was 97.0% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 94.0%, and Iceland placed 11th highest of 51. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 31st highest.