Education in Western Region, Iceland: official figures
At the 2021 census 23.1% of adults aged 25 and over in the Western Region had a university or other tertiary degree, 4th highest of 8 regions (Iceland: 34.6%).
23.1%
What is the education level in Western Region?
37.6% of adults in the Western Region had only basic (compulsory) education in 2021, 3rd lowest of 8 regions, and 39.3% had upper secondary as their highest level.
Source: Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Islands) · saved copyMore figures
- The tertiary-educated share of adults in the Western Region rose from 18.1% in 2011 to 23.1% in 2021, a gain of 5.0 percentage points. Source: Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Islands) · saved copy
- Among residents of the Western Region aged 25 to 34, 28.0% held a tertiary qualification in 2021, against 37.4% of that age group nationally. Source: Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Islands) · saved copy
- Women in the Western Region were more likely than men to hold a tertiary degree in 2021: 30.1% of women aged 25+ against 16.6% of men. Source: Statistics Iceland (Hagstofa Islands) · saved copy
How Western Region compares with other regions
Adults aged 25+ with tertiary education (%) (2021)
Western Region ranks 4 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)
Western Region ranks 6 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)
Western Region ranks 5 of 8, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Adults aged 25-34 with tertiary education (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 8 | Southern Peninsula | 22.0% |
More on Western 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…)
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