The population increase for the whole country was 1.2% in 2008 compared with 2.5% the previous year. Of the eight regions, the population decreased in only one region, the East, where the population decreased by 1,153 or 8.2%. The population in the East region increased by 1,238 persons, or by 1.7% annually from 2003 to 2007, which is the average population increase, for that period, of the country as a whole. Population gains occurred in the South West region (4.3%) and the South region (2.1%). In 1998 the number of municipalities was 163. In 2009 they were 78, a reduction of 46 in 11 years time.

In 2007 a new urban nuclei was declared in the municipality of Reykjanesbær. The name is Vallarheiði and it is located in the area of the former American military base.

The population figures for 1 January 2008 have been revised upwards in order to reflect the correction of migration statistics for 2007 that were published 12 February this year. The revised total is 315,459 persons, an increase of 2,083 persons from previously published figures.

Statistics:
  Municipalities
  Urban nuclei