Iceland vs Ireland
Iceland and Ireland compared on 261 measures that both have. Each pair of values is for the same period, the latest one with data for both countries, so the year can differ from one row to the next.
Where Iceland and Ireland differ most
- Pesticide use, 2024: Iceland 0.02 kg/ha, Ireland 4.94 kg/ha (247.0 times as high)
- Renewable internal freshwater per person, 2022: Iceland 445,023 m³ per person, Ireland 9,400 m³ per person (47.3 times as high)
- Population density, 2024: Iceland 3.8 people per km², Ireland 78.3 people per km² (20.4 times as high)
- Renewable energy share, 2021: Iceland 82.4%, Ireland 12.7% (6.5 times as high)
- Early leavers from education and training, 2025: Iceland 16.7%, Ireland 3.6% (4.6 times as high)
Measures where one value is the largest multiple of the other, among measures with positive values. Totals such as population, index values and growth rates are left out, because their size says little about the difference.
Population and ageing
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population on 1 January people |
389,444 people | 5,440,278 people | −92.8% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Population by age and sex people |
389,444 people | 5,440,278 people | −92.8% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Crude birth rate live births per 1,000 people |
11.2 per 1,000 people | 9.9 per 1,000 people | +1.3 per 1,000 people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Crude death rate deaths per 1,000 people |
6.8 per 1,000 people | 6.5 per 1,000 people | +0.3 per 1,000 people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Total fertility rate live births per woman |
1.56 births per woman | 1.47 births per woman | +6.1% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Population aged 65 and over % of total population |
15.9% | 15.7% | +0.2 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Median age of the population years |
37.2 years | 39.6 years | −6.1% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Old-age dependency ratio people aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15 to 64 |
23.9 per 100 working-age people | 23.8 per 100 working-age people | +0.4% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Natural population change per 1,000 people |
4.4 per 1,000 people | 3.4 per 1,000 people | +1.0 per 1,000 people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Population estimates and projections people |
387,558 people | 5,196,630 people | −92.5% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Median age estimates and projections years |
35.8 years | 38.4 years | −6.8% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Fertility rate estimates and projections live births per woman |
1.54 births per woman | 1.60 births per woman | −3.6% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Population growth estimates and projections % per year |
1.64% | 1.19% | +0.46 percentage points | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Population people |
392,404 people | 5,484,367 people | −92.8% | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population growth annual % change |
1.51% | 1.63% | −0.11 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population aged 65 and over % of total population |
16.0% | 16.2% | −0.2 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population aged 0 to 14 % of total population |
17.5% | 18.1% | −0.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Fertility rate births per woman |
1.56 births per woman | 1.47 births per woman | +6.1% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Crude birth rate births per 1,000 people |
11.2 per 1,000 people | 10.0 per 1,000 people | +1.2 per 1,000 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| Crude death rate deaths per 1,000 people |
6.8 per 1,000 people | 6.5 per 1,000 people | +0.3 per 1,000 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| Urban population share % of total population |
94.2% | 64.6% | +29.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Adolescent birth rate births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 |
3.1 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 | 4.0 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 | −0.9 per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 | 2024 | World Bank |
| Age dependency ratio dependants per 100 people aged 15 to 64 |
50.4 per 100 working-age people | 52.2 per 100 working-age people | −1.9 per 100 working-age people | 2025 | World Bank |
| Population density people per square kilometre of land |
3.8 people per km² | 78.3 people per km² | −95.1% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Urban population growth annual % change |
1.55% | 2.00% | −0.45 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Migration and citizenship
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immigration people |
9,946 immigrants | 127,664 immigrants | −92.2% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Emigration people |
5,700 emigrants | 58,077 emigrants | −90.2% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Acquisitions of citizenship people |
638 people | 24,059 people | −97.3% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| First-time asylum applicants people |
1,660 applicants | 12,975 applicants | −87.2% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people |
8.0 per 1,000 people | 9.4 per 1,000 people | −1.4 per 1,000 people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Net migration estimates and projections per 1,000 people |
11.9 per 1,000 people | 8.4 per 1,000 people | +3.5 per 1,000 people | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Net migration people |
2,709 people | 35,417 people | −92.4% | 2025 | World Bank |
| International migrant stock % of population |
25.1% | 23.1% | +2.0 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Personal remittances received % of GDP |
0.7% | 0.1% | +0.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Employment and occupations
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rate, ages 15 to 74 % of the labour force |
4.5% | 4.7% | −0.2 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Youth unemployment rate, ages 15 to 24 % of the labour force aged 15 to 24 |
9.5% | 11.8% | −2.3 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Long-term unemployment rate % of the labour force |
0.6% | 1.1% | −0.5 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Employment rate, ages 20 to 64 % of population aged 20 to 64 |
85.8% | 80.2% | +5.6 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Employment rate of women, ages 20 to 64 % of women aged 20 to 64 |
83.6% | 75.7% | +7.9 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Monthly unemployment rate (seasonally adjusted) % of the labour force |
5.9% | 4.7% | +1.2 percentage points | September 2026 | Eurostat |
| Usual weekly working hours hours per week |
37.7 hours per week | 35.7 hours per week | +2.0 hours per week | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Part-time employment % of total employment |
21.6% | 19.5% | +2.1 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Monthly youth unemployment % of the labour force under 25 |
12.6% | 11.4% | +1.2 percentage points | September 2026 | Eurostat |
| Employment of older workers % of population aged 55 to 64 |
81.8% | 69.4% | +12.4 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| ILO estimate of the unemployment rate % of the labour force aged 15 and over |
3.6% | 4.6% | −1.0 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| ILO estimate of youth unemployment % of the labour force aged 15 to 24 |
8.7% | 10.5% | −1.8 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Labour force participation % of working-age population aged 15 and over |
74.9% | 64.8% | +10.1 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Women's labour force participation % of women aged 15 and over |
70.0% | 59.8% | +10.3 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Employment-to-population ratio % of population aged 15 and over |
72.2% | 61.8% | +10.4 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| OECD monthly unemployment rate % of the labour force aged 15 and over, seasonally adjusted |
5.9% | 5.0% | +0.9 percentage points | September 2026 | OECD |
| Employment in agriculture % of total employment |
3.6% | 3.9% | −0.2 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Employment in industry % of total employment |
18.2% | 18.2% | 0 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Employment in services % of total employment |
78.1% | 77.9% | +0.2 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Wages and labour costs
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median equivalised net income euro per year |
€35,934 per year | €26,766 per yearb (break in time series) | +34.3% | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Unadjusted gender pay gap % of men's average gross hourly earnings |
11.1%p (provisional) | 8.3%p (provisional) | +2.8 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Hourly labour cost euro per hour worked |
€59.3 per hourp (provisional) | €44.2 per hour | +34.2% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Net annual earnings euro per year |
€54,539 per year | €43,897 per year | +24.2% | 2023 | Eurostat |
Economy and productivity
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita in euro euro per person, current prices |
€87,160 per personp (provisional) | €110,150 per person | −20.9% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| GDP per capita in PPS index, EU27 (from 2020) = 100 |
132 (EU = 100) | 211 (EU = 100) | −79 points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Real GDP growth % change on previous year, chain-linked volumes |
1.1% | 8.0% | −6.9 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| GDP in euro million euro, current prices |
€34,157 million | €602,441 million | −94.3% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Quarterly GDP growth (seasonally adjusted) % change on previous quarter |
-3.0% | 10.2% | −13.2 percentage points | Q2 2026 | Eurostat |
| Labour productivity growth % change on previous year |
2.7%p (provisional) | 6.2% | −3.5 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| GDP growth, year on year % change on the same quarter a year earlier |
0.3% | -0.4% | +0.7 percentage points | Q2 2026 | Eurostat |
| GDP in US dollars current US dollars |
US$38.6 billion | US$721.7 billion | −94.7% | 2025 | World Bank |
| GDP per capita in US dollars current US dollars per person |
US$98,323 per person | US$131,592 per person | −25.3% | 2025 | World Bank |
| GDP per capita, PPP constant 2021 international dollars per person |
Int$68,065 per person | Int$131,338 per person | −48.2% | 2025 | World Bank |
| GNI per capita, Atlas method current US dollars per person |
US$89,220 per person | US$87,360 per person | +2.1% | 2025 | World Bank |
| Real GDP growth annual % change |
1.3% | 12.3% | −11.1 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Services share of GDP % of GDP |
66.2% | 56.7% | +9.5 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Investment share of GDP % of GDP |
26.6% | 22.9% | +3.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Savings share of GDP % of GDP |
22.6% | 31.3% | −8.7 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Household consumption per person constant 2015 US dollars per person |
US$31,408 per person | US$24,486 per person | +28.3% | 2025 | World Bank |
Prices and purchasing power
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HICP inflation annual average rate of change, % |
3.7% | 2.1% | +1.6 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| HICP price index index, 2015 = 100 |
132.22 (2015 = 100) | 121.90 (2015 = 100) | +10.32 points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Monthly HICP inflation % change on the same month a year earlier |
5.4% | 3.8% | +1.6 percentage points | September 2026 | Eurostat |
| Consumer price level index index, EU27 (from 2020) = 100 |
173 (EU = 100) | 141 (EU = 100) | +32 points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Food price inflation (HICP) annual average rate of change, % |
5.3% | 4.0% | +1.3 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Energy price inflation (HICP) annual average rate of change, % |
2.7% | -0.3% | +3.0 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| OECD monthly CPI inflation % change on the same month a year earlier |
5.9% | 4.1% | +1.8 percentage points | September 2026 | OECD |
| Consumer price inflation annual % change |
4.1% | 2.2% | +1.9 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Consumer price index index, 2010 = 100 |
179.8 (2010 = 100) | 130.0 (2010 = 100) | +49.8 points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Inflation measured by the GDP deflator annual % change |
6.9% | 1.0% | +5.9 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Exchange rate to the US dollar local currency units per US dollar, annual average |
128.441 per US$ | 0.885 per US$ | +14,413.7% | 2025 | World Bank |
Housing and households
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| House price change annual average rate of change, % |
5.1% | 7.5% | −2.4 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Housing cost overburden rate % of population |
13.1% | 4.2%b (break in time series) | +8.9 percentage points | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Overcrowding rate % of population |
11.3% | 3.0%b (break in time series) | +8.3 percentage points | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Home ownership rate % of population |
81.7% | 69.6%b (break in time series) | +12.1 percentage points | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Inability to keep home adequately warm % of population |
1.0% | 3.6%b (break in time series) | −2.6 percentage points | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Average household size people per household |
2.5 people per household | 2.7 people per householdb (break in time series) | −0.2 people per household | 2020 | Eurostat |
| House prices, quarterly % change on the same quarter a year earlier |
2.7% | 6.0%p (provisional) | −3.3 percentage points | Q2 2026 | Eurostat |
| Arrears on utility bills % of population |
3.1% | 8.2%b (break in time series) | −5.1 percentage points | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Slum population % of urban population |
0.0% | 8.5% | −8.5 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
Education and skills
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEET rate, ages 15 to 29 % of population aged 15 to 29 |
4.2% | 8.1% | −3.9 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Tertiary education attainment, ages 25 to 34 % of population aged 25 to 34 |
44.8% | 66.8% | −22.0 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Early leavers from education and training % of population aged 18 to 24 |
16.7% | 3.6% | +13.1 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Adult participation in learning % of population aged 25 to 64 |
27.3% | 14.6% | +12.7 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| ILO estimate of the youth NEET rate % of youth aged 15 to 24 |
4.0% | 5.8% | −1.8 percentage points | 2025 | ILOSTAT |
| Out-of-school children % of children of primary school age |
1.5% | 1.8%nat_est (National estimate) | −0.3 percentage points | 2022 | UNESCO UIS |
| Out-of-school adolescents % of adolescents of lower secondary school age |
1.3% | 0.1%nat_est (National estimate) | +1.2 percentage points | 2022 | UNESCO UIS |
| Out-of-school youth % of youth of upper secondary school age |
16.7% | 0.6%nat_est (National estimate) | +16.1 percentage points | 2022 | UNESCO UIS |
| Primary net enrolment % of children of primary school age |
98.5% | 98.2%nat_est (National estimate) | +0.3 percentage points | 2022 | UNESCO UIS |
| Education share of public spending % of total government expenditure |
16.6% | 12.3% | +4.3 percentage points | 2021 | UNESCO UIS |
| Education spending % of GDP |
8.2% | 2.9% | +5.3 percentage points | 2021 | World Bank |
| Primary school enrolment (gross) % of the official primary school-age population |
98.5% | 96.5% | +2.0 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Tertiary education enrolment (gross) % of the population in the five years after secondary school age |
85.0% | 77.6% | +7.4 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Primary school completion rate % of the relevant age group |
98.9% | 93.7% | +5.2 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Secondary school enrolment (gross) % of the official secondary school-age population |
112.6% | 130.6% | −18.0 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
Health and healthcare
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy at birth years |
82.8 years | 83.1 years | −0.4% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Infant mortality rate deaths under age 1 per 1,000 live births |
1.4 per 1,000 live births | 3.3 per 1,000 live births | −1.9 per 1,000 live births | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Hospital beds beds per 100,000 inhabitants |
257 per 100,000 people | 289 per 100,000 people | −32 per 100,000 people | 2023 | Eurostat |
| Practising physicians physicians per 100,000 inhabitants |
466 per 100,000 peopled (definition differs (see metadata)) | 388 per 100,000 people | +78 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| People reporting good or very good health % of people aged 16 or over |
72.0% | 81.6% | −9.6 percentage points | 2021 | Eurostat |
| Health spending share of GDP % of GDP |
9.2%p (provisional) | 6.1%p (provisional) | +3.1 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Practising nurses nurses per 100,000 inhabitants |
1,032 per 100,000 peopled (definition differs (see metadata)) | 1,419 per 100,000 people | −387 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Healthy life years at birth years |
62.4 years | 69.4 years | −10.1% | 2018 | Eurostat |
| Life expectancy at age 65 years |
20.6 years | 21.0 years | −1.9% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Adults with obesity % of people aged 15 and over |
18.1% | 18.2% | −0.1 percentage points | 2014 | Eurostat |
| Daily smokers % of people aged 15 and over |
8.4% | 14.1% | −5.7 percentage points | 2019 | Eurostat |
| Life expectancy estimates and projections years |
82.7 years | 82.4 years | +0.3% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Life expectancy at 65, estimates and projections years |
20.8 years | 20.5 years | +1.4% | 2023 | UN Population Division |
| Healthy life expectancy years |
69.8 years | 70.2 years | −0.6% | 2023 | WHO |
| UHC service coverage index from 0 to 100 |
90 | 82 | +8 points | 2023 | WHO |
| Alcohol consumption litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15+ |
7.44 litres | 9.58 litres | −22.3% | 2024 | WHO |
| Adult obesity % of adults aged 18+ |
22.2% | 27.9% | −5.7 percentage points | 2024 | WHO |
| Hypertension % of adults aged 30 to 79 |
27.5% | 32.3% | −4.8 percentage points | 2019 | WHO |
| Suicide rate deaths per 100,000 people |
10.4 per 100,000 people | 7.2 per 100,000 people | +3.2 per 100,000 people | 2023 | WHO |
| Premature NCD mortality % probability |
8.7% | 8.5% | +0.2 percentage points | 2023 | WHO |
| Physical inactivity % of adults aged 18+ |
27.7% | 23.9% | +3.8 percentage points | 2022 | WHO |
| DTP3 immunisation % of one-year-olds |
90% | 90% | same | 2025 | WHO |
| Anaemia in women % of women aged 15 to 49 |
14.7% | 14.0% | +0.7 percentage points | 2023 | WHO |
| Poisoning deaths deaths per 100,000 people |
0.2 per 100,000 people | 0.3 per 100,000 people | −0.1 per 100,000 people | 2023 | WHO |
| Nurses and midwives per 10,000 people |
160.8 per 10,000 people | 154.0 per 10,000 people | +6.8 per 10,000 people | 2024 | WHO |
| Dentists per 10,000 people |
8.01 per 10,000 people | 4.87 per 10,000 people | +3.14 per 10,000 people | 2024 | WHO |
| Life expectancy at birth years |
82.8 years | 83.0 years | −0.2% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Life expectancy at birth, women years |
84.5 years | 84.7 years | −0.2% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Life expectancy at birth, men years |
81.2 years | 81.4 years | −0.2% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Health spending share of GDP % of GDP |
9.0% | 6.9% | +2.1 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Under-five mortality rate deaths per 1,000 live births |
2.8 per 1,000 live births | 3.9 per 1,000 live births | −1.1 per 1,000 live births | 2024 | World Bank |
| Infant mortality rate deaths per 1,000 live births |
2.1 per 1,000 live births | 3.4 per 1,000 live births | −1.3 per 1,000 live births | 2024 | World Bank |
| Maternal mortality ratio maternal deaths per 100,000 live births |
3 per 100,000 live births | 4 per 100,000 live births | −1 per 100,000 live births | 2023 | World Bank |
| Physicians physicians per 1,000 people |
4.37 per 1,000 people | 3.88 per 1,000 people | +0.50 per 1,000 people | 2023 | World Bank |
| Hospital beds beds per 1,000 people |
2.8 per 1,000 people | 2.9 per 1,000 people | −0.1 per 1,000 people | 2020 | World Bank |
| Measles immunisation % of children aged 12 to 23 months |
97% | 90% | +7.0 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Tobacco use % of adults aged 15 and over |
9.2% | 18.2% | −9.0 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Out-of-pocket health spending % of current health expenditure |
14.9% | 10.6% | +4.3 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Health spending per person current US dollars per person |
US$7,642 per person | US$7,395 per person | +3.3% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Diabetes prevalence % of population aged 20 to 79 |
6.9% | 3.6% | +3.3 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Neonatal mortality rate deaths per 1,000 live births |
1.4 per 1,000 live births | 2.6 per 1,000 live births | −1.2 per 1,000 live births | 2024 | World Bank |
| Tuberculosis incidence new cases per 100,000 people |
3 per 100,000 people | 6 per 100,000 people | −3 per 100,000 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| HIV incidence new infections per 1,000 uninfected people aged 15 to 49 |
0.10 per 1,000 people aged 15 to 49 | 0.10 per 1,000 people aged 15 to 49 | same | 2024 | World Bank |
Internet and digital society
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Households with internet access % of households |
98.4% | 97.5%b (break in time series) | +0.9 percentage points | 2021 | Eurostat |
| Internet use in the last three months % of individuals |
99.4% | 98.9%b (break in time series) | +0.5 percentage points | 2021 | Eurostat |
| Daily internet use % of individuals |
97.7% | 94.7%b (break in time series) | +3.1 percentage points | 2021 | Eurostat |
| Basic digital skills % of individuals |
81.0% | 70.5% | +10.5 percentage points | 2021 | Eurostat |
| Online shopping % of individuals |
84.7% | 87.4%b (break in time series) | −2.8 percentage points | 2021 | Eurostat |
| ICT specialists in employment % of total employment |
4.2%e (estimated) | 6.3%e (estimated) | −2.1 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Internet users % of population |
98.2% | 97.2% | +1.0 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Mobile subscriptions subscriptions per 100 people |
121 per 100 people | 113 per 100 people | +8 per 100 people | 2024 | World Bank |
| Fixed broadband subscriptions subscriptions per 100 people |
37.5 per 100 people | 32.3 per 100 people | +5.2 per 100 people | 2024 | World Bank |
Business and industry
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise birth rate % of active enterprises |
11.2%e (estimated) | 10.8% | +0.3 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Industry share of GDP % of GDP |
20.1% | 37.8% | −17.7 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| New businesses registered new limited liability companies |
2,925 companies | 23,440 companies | −87.5% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Medium and high-tech manufacturing % of manufacturing value added |
15.3% | 54.5% | −39.2 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Manufacturing share of GDP % of GDP |
8.5% | 33.9% | −25.4 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Trade and investment
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports share of GDP % of GDP |
40.4% | 146.9% | −106.5 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Imports share of GDP % of GDP |
42.6% | 109.3% | −66.7 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Current account balance, quarterly % of GDP |
-9.3% | 13.0% | −22.3 percentage points | Q2 2026 | Eurostat |
| Exports share of GDP % of GDP |
40.1% | 140.1% | −100.0 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Imports share of GDP % of GDP |
42.4% | 99.9% | −57.5 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Trade as a share of GDP % of GDP |
82.5% | 240.0% | −157.5 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Foreign direct investment inflows % of GDP |
-2.2% | 10.4% | −12.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Current account balance % of GDP |
-3.9% | 6.3% | −10.2 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| High-technology exports % of manufactured exports |
54.0% | 53.5% | +0.5 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
Tourism and accommodation
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nights spent in tourist accommodation nights |
9,850,428 nights | 41,905,894 nights | −76.5% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Arrivals at tourist accommodation arrivals |
5,830,195 arrivals | 12,574,517 arrivals | −53.6% | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Bed-place occupancy rate in hotels % of available bed places |
53.6% | 58.0% | −4.4 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
Transport and mobility
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Car share of passenger transport % of inland passenger-kilometres |
88.4%e (estimated) | 77.9%e (estimated) | +10.5 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Car ownership cars per 1,000 inhabitants |
645 per 1,000 peoplei (value imputed by Eurostat or other receiving agencies) | 475 per 1,000 peoplei (value imputed by Eurostat or other receiving agencies) | +170 per 1,000 people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Road traffic deaths deaths per 100,000 inhabitants |
3.4 per 100,000 people | 3.2 per 100,000 people | +0.2 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| New zero-emission cars % of newly registered passenger cars |
41.2% | 18.6% | +22.5 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Road traffic deaths deaths per 100,000 people |
2.0 per 100,000 people | 3.1 per 100,000 people | −1.1 per 100,000 people | 2019 | World Bank |
| Air passengers carried passengers |
4,342,331 passengers | 192,528,432 passengers | −97.7% | 2023 | World Bank |
Energy and electricity
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renewable energy share % of gross final energy consumption |
79.3% | 16.1% | +63.3 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Renewable electricity share % of gross electricity consumption |
102.4% | 41.3% | +61.1 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Energy import dependency % of gross available energy |
16.8% | 79.5% | −62.7 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Electricity price for households euro per kWh, all taxes included |
€0.2076 per kWh | €0.3871 per kWh | −46.4% | H1 2026 | Eurostat |
| Primary energy consumption million tonnes of oil equivalent |
6.4 Mtoe | 14.3 Mtoe | −55.2% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Access to electricity % of population |
100.0% | 100.0% | same | 2024 | World Bank |
| Clean cooking access % of population |
100.0% | 100.0% | same | 2024 | World Bank |
| Renewable energy share % of total final energy consumption |
82.4% | 12.7% | +69.7 percentage points | 2021 | World Bank |
| Fossil electricity share % of total electricity production |
0.0% | 49.5% | −49.5 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Net energy imports % of energy use |
20.5% | 92.7% | −72.3 percentage points | 2009 | World Bank |
Climate and emissions
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse gas emissions per person tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person |
12.4 t CO2e per person | 10.0 t CO2e per person | +24.0% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions million tonnes of CO2 equivalent |
4.8 Mt CO2e | 53.9 Mt CO2e | −91.1% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Temperature change °C difference from the 1951 to 1980 average |
1.47 °Ce (Estimated value) | 1.89 °Ce (Estimated value) | −0.41 °C | 2025 | FAOSTAT |
| Agrifood emissions per person tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person |
5.90 t CO2e per persone (Estimated value) | 7.66 t CO2e per persone (Estimated value) | −23.0% | 2024 | FAOSTAT |
| Total greenhouse gas emissions million tonnes of CO2 equivalent |
4.3 Mt CO2e | 59.7 Mt CO2e | −92.8% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Greenhouse gas emissions per person tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person |
11.1 t CO2e per person | 11.1 t CO2e per person | +0.2% | 2024 | World Bank |
| CO2 emissions per person tonnes of CO2 per person |
8.52 t CO2 per person | 6.04 t CO2 per person | +41.2% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Methane emissions million tonnes of CO2 equivalent |
0.5 Mt CO2e | 18.1 Mt CO2e | −97.3% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Nitrous oxide emissions million tonnes of CO2 equivalent |
0.26 Mt CO2e | 8.32 Mt CO2e | −96.8% | 2024 | World Bank |
Air quality and ecosystems
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 air pollution micrograms per cubic metre |
5.6 µg/m³ | 6.6 µg/m³ | −14.8% | 2023 | WHO |
| Forest area % of land area |
0.6% | 12.0% | −11.4 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Protected areas % of total territorial area |
2.9% | 4.0% | −1.1 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| PM2.5 air pollution exposure micrograms per cubic metre |
4.9 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | −34.3% | 2023 | World Bank |
| Terrestrial protected areas % of land area |
20.9% | 14.2% | +6.7 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
Water, sanitation and waste
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal waste generated per person kilograms per person per year |
561 kg per person | 576 kg per person | −2.6% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Recycling rate of municipal waste % of municipal waste generated |
44.7% | 43.1% | +1.6 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Total waste generated per person kilograms per person per year |
2,864 kg per person | 3,101 kg per person | −7.6% | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Basic drinking water access % of population |
100.0% | 97.1% | +2.9 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population |
100.0% | 96.1% | +3.9 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Basic sanitation access % of population |
98.8% | 89.7% | +9.1 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Level of water stress % of available freshwater resources |
0.4% | 8.1% | −7.7 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
| Renewable internal freshwater per person cubic metres per person |
445,023 m³ per person | 9,400 m³ per person | +4,634.3% | 2022 | World Bank |
Agriculture, food and fisheries
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area under organic farming % of utilised agricultural area |
0.4% | 2.0% | −1.6 percentage points | 2021 | Eurostat |
| Cost of a healthy diet international dollars (PPP) per person per day |
Int$3.64 per person per daye (Estimated value) | Int$3.14 per person per daye (Estimated value) | +15.9% | 2025 | FAOSTAT |
| Healthy diet unaffordable % of the population |
1.8%e (Estimated value) | 0.9%e (Estimated value) | +0.9 percentage points | 2025 | FAOSTAT |
| Pesticide use kg of active ingredients per hectare of cropland |
0.02 kg/hae (Estimated value) | 4.94 kg/hae (Estimated value) | −99.6% | 2024 | FAOSTAT |
| Nitrogen fertiliser use kg of nitrogen (N) per hectare of cropland |
88.2 kg/hae (Estimated value) | 164.5 kg/hae (Estimated value) | −46.4% | 2024 | FAOSTAT |
| Agriculture share of GDP % of GDP |
3.7% | 1.1% | +2.6 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
| Cereal yield kilograms per hectare |
1,972 kg per hectare | 7,325 kg per hectare | −73.1% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Agricultural land % of land area |
16.2% | 65.1% | −48.9 percentage points | 2024 | World Bank |
| Capture fisheries production metric tonnes |
1,008,804 tonnes | 245,629 tonnes | +310.7% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Prevalence of undernourishment % of population |
2.5% | 2.5% | same | 2024 | World Bank |
| Food production index index, 2014 to 2016 = 100 |
102.9 (2014-16 = 100) | 107.2 (2014-16 = 100) | −4.0% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Fertiliser use kilograms per hectare of arable land |
133.7 kg per hectare | 986.6 kg per hectare | −86.4% | 2024 | World Bank |
| Land area square kilometres |
100,830 km² | 68,890 km² | +46.4% | 2024 | World Bank |
Poverty and social protection
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At-risk-of-poverty rate % of population |
8.8% | 13.0%b (break in time series) | −4.2 percentage points | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Poverty or social exclusion rate % of population |
11.7% | 19.1%b (break in time series) | −7.4 percentage points | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Income inequality (Gini) Gini coefficient, 0 to 100 |
24.0 (0 to 100) | 27.6 (0 to 100)b (break in time series) | −3.6 points | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Income quintile share ratio (S80/S20) ratio |
3.41 times | 3.92 timesb (break in time series) | −13.0% | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Severe material and social deprivation % of population |
0.8% | 6.1%b (break in time series) | −5.3 percentage points | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Gini index Gini index, 0 to 100 |
26.8 (0 to 100) | 30.3 (0 to 100) | −3.5 points | 2019 | World Bank |
| Income share held by the richest 10% % of total income or consumption |
22.4% | 24.6% | −2.2 percentage points | 2019 | World Bank |
| Extreme poverty rate % of population |
0.1% | 0.1% | same | 2019 | World Bank |
| Poverty rate at $4.20 a day (2021 PPP) % of population |
0.1% | 0.1% | same | 2019 | World Bank |
| Poverty rate at $8.30 a day (2021 PPP) % of population |
0.4% | 0.2% | +0.2 percentage points | 2019 | World Bank |
Government finance and taxation
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Government spending % of GDP |
45.7% | 22.3% | +23.4 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Tax-to-GDP ratio % of GDP |
36.5% | 22.7% | +13.8 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Government spending on health % of GDP |
8.6% | 5.2% | +3.4 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Government spending on education % of GDP |
7.0% | 2.7% | +4.3 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Government spending on social protection % of GDP |
12.6% | 8.2% | +4.4 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Government spending on defence % of GDP |
0.2% | 0.1% | +0.1 percentage points | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Tax revenue % of GDP |
23.2% | 17.5% | +5.6 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Central government expense % of GDP |
32.6% | 19.2% | +13.3 percentage points | 2022 | World Bank |
Science and innovation
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R&D spending share of GDP % of GDP |
2.16%p (provisional) | 1.49%p (provisional) | +0.67 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Researchers as a share of the labour force % of labour force (full-time equivalent) |
1.10% | 1.10% | same | 2023 | Eurostat |
| European patent applications applications per million inhabitants |
195.2 per million peoplep (provisional) | 216.7 per million peoplep (provisional) | −21.6 per million people | 2025 | Eurostat |
| R&D spending share of GDP % of GDP |
2.64% | 1.59% | +1.05 percentage points | 2023 | World Bank |
| Researchers per million people researchers per million people |
5,953 per million people | 5,753 per million people | +200 per million people | 2023 | World Bank |
| Scientific and technical journal articles articles, fractional count |
716 articles | 8,720 articles | −91.8% | 2023 | World Bank |
Crime, justice and public safety
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intentional homicides offences per 100,000 inhabitants |
1.82 per 100,000 people | 0.69 per 100,000 people | +1.13 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Crime or vandalism in the area % of population |
2.6% | 10.8%b (break in time series) | −8.2 percentage points | 2020 | Eurostat |
| Robberies recorded by the police offences per 100,000 inhabitants |
28.4 per 100,000 people | 28.7 per 100,000 people | −0.3 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Burglaries recorded by the police offences per 100,000 inhabitants |
304.5 per 100,000 people | 174.5 per 100,000 people | +130.0 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Thefts recorded by the police offences per 100,000 inhabitants |
1,002 per 100,000 people | 1,335 per 100,000 people | −333 per 100,000 people | 2024 | Eurostat |
| Intentional homicides victims per 100,000 people |
1.3 per 100,000 people | 0.7 per 100,000 people | +0.6 per 100,000 people | 2023 | World Bank |
Culture, society and wellbeing
| Measure | Iceland | Ireland | Iceland compared with Ireland | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural employment % of total employment |
4.5% | 3.4% | +1.1 percentage points | 2025 | Eurostat |
| Average life satisfaction average rating, 0 to 10 |
8.1 out of 10 | 8.1 out of 10u (low reliability) | same | 2018 | Eurostat |
| Women in national parliament % of seats in the single or lower chamber |
46.0% | 25.3% | +20.7 percentage points | 2025 | World Bank |
The difference column shows Iceland compared with Ireland: in percentage points for percentages, in the same unit for rates per population and index values, and in percent for other measures.
Open a measure to see both countries on a chart. All statistics for Iceland · All statistics for Ireland · Other pairs