A total of 7,715 households received municipal income support in 2011, an increase by 805 (11.6%) from the year before and by 1,721 (28.7%) from the year 2009. In the year 2011 nearly half (48.3%) of recipients of municipal income support were unemployed and thereof nearly two third non-insured or 2,228 individuals. Households of single men without children (43.2%) and households of single women with children (26.8%) were as before the biggest groups receiving income support.

In households receiving income support in the year 2011 there were 12,540 individuals or 3.9% of inhabitants in the country, thereof were 4,098 children (17 years of age or younger) or 5.1% of all children in the country. In the year 2010 there were 11,493 individuals, 3.6% of inhabitants in the country, who lived in households receiving income support, thereof 3,974 children or 5% of all children in Iceland.

In the year 2011, 7.999 households received municipal home-help service.  More than four of every five of these households were households of the elderly or 6,687 (83.6%).  That was an increase of 194 (3.0%) households from the year 2010.  A total of 8,386 individuals or 20.9% of inhabitants 65 years or older were living in these homes.  In the municipality of Reykjavík, nearly 25% of that age group received home-help service. The average number of hours worked per household receiving municipal home-help service in the year 2011 was 115 (2,5 hours per week) and had the average number increased by one hour  from the year before. Nearly 43% of hours wear help on necessary practical duties only but the rest included personal service also.

In the year 2011 2,057 children were enrolled in day-care in private homes, an increase by 286 (16.1%) from the year before. That was little more than 7% of children at the age of 0 to 5 years in the country.  Thereof were nearly 7% of all children in the first year and nearly 36% of children 1 year of age, but those are children that have not reached the pre-primary school age.

Municipal social services 2011 - Statistical Series