Statistics Iceland announces a publication in the Statistical Series Hagtíðindi. The current issue is devoted to population development 1996-2006 with a main focus on foreign nationals. A summary in English is included.

For the past two years, population increase in Iceland has been higher than in any other country in Europe. In 2006, the population increase was 2.6 as compared to 2.2% in 2005. The total population increase in Europe was 0.2% with only a few countries exceeding the level of 1.0%.

The steep increase in population in Iceland is mainly due to increased immigration. In 2006, the natural increase was 0.8% whereas net immigration was 1.8%. Consequently, there has been a large increase in the share of foreign nationals. Currently, 6.0% of Iceland’s population are foreign nationals compared with 4.6% a year earlier. Only ten years ago the share of foreign citizens was below 2.0%.

In recent years men have been proportionally more numerous than women among foreign citizens. In 2006, 7.4% of all men in Iceland were foreign nationals as compared with 4.7% of women. Prior to 2003 the trend was reverse. Thus in 2001, the proportion of men was 3.1% and of women 3.7%. The highest proportion of foreigners is currently found in the East (Austurland) where more than a fourth of the population is foreign nationals. In the East no less than 36.x% of all men are foreign nationals.

There was an increase in population in all except two of the countries’ seven regions. The increase was most pronounced in the East (Austurland) where population increase was no less than 12.2%. The increase in this region is primarily due to the construction of a hydropower plant and an aluminum smelter in the area.

Population increase in the capital area is slightly lower than the national average. On the other hand, a notable increase in population was experienced in urban areas in the vicinity of the capital area. This was in particular true for towns in the Southwest (Suðurnes) where population increased by between 3.3% and 8.9%.

Population 1996-2006 with a focus on foreign nationals  - Stat. Series