Education in Capital Region, Iceland: official figures
At the 2021 census 40.8% of adults aged 25 and over in the Capital Region had a university or other tertiary degree, the highest of 8 regions (Iceland: 34.6%).
40.8%
What is the education level in Capital Region?
24.3% of adults in the Capital Region had only basic (compulsory) education in 2021, the lowest of 8 regions, and 35.0% had upper secondary as their highest level.
Source: Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Islands) · saved copyMore figures
- The tertiary-educated share of adults in the Capital Region rose from 33.4% in 2011 to 40.8% in 2021, a gain of 7.4 percentage points. Source: Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Islands) · saved copy
- Among residents of the Capital Region aged 25 to 34, 42.5% held a tertiary qualification in 2021, against 37.4% of that age group nationally. Source: Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Islands) · saved copy
- Women in the Capital Region were more likely than men to hold a tertiary degree in 2021: 46.4% of women aged 25+ against 35.3% of men. Source: Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Islands) · saved copy
How Capital Region compares with other regions
Adults aged 25+ with tertiary education (%) (2021)
Capital Region ranks 1 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults aged 25+ with tertiary education (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital Region | 40.8% |
| 2 | Northeastern Region | 27.9% |
| 3 | Southern Region | 23.4% |
| 4 | Western Region | 23.1% |
| 5 | Eastern Region | 23.0% |
| 6 | Northwestern Region | 23.0% |
| 7 | Westfjords | 21.2% |
Adults aged 25+ with basic education only (%) (2021)
Capital Region ranks 8 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults aged 25+ with basic education only (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Westfjords | 41.9% |
| 3 | Eastern Region | 40.6% |
| 4 | Northwestern Region | 38.7% |
| 5 | Southern Region | 37.9% |
| 6 | Western Region | 37.6% |
| 7 | Northeastern Region | 36.2% |
| 8 | Capital Region | 24.3% |
Adults aged 25-34 with tertiary education (%) (2021)
Capital Region ranks 1 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults aged 25-34 with tertiary education (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital Region | 42.5% |
| 2 | Northeastern Region | 32.6% |
| 3 | Eastern Region | 28.8% |
| 4 | Northwestern Region | 28.5% |
| 5 | Western Region | 28.0% |
| 6 | Southern Region | 27.5% |
| 7 | Westfjords | 25.9% |
More on Capital Region: overview · economy and jobs · poverty and living standards · Iceland
Sources
- Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Islands): Census: Educational attainment by sex, age and region 2011 and 2021 (table CEN1301), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3f9c52cb5e55…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.