A population mainly settled in Reykjavik
There's no such thing as overpopulation in Iceland! More than 387,000 Icelanders (2023) share a vast territory, but two-thirds live in the metropolitan area of the capital Reykjavík. The next most populous towns are Akureyri, Keflavik, Selfoss, Akranes and Njarðvík. So it's not surprising to feel in a world of its own in Iceland, once you get away from the few major cities. Mass tourism has of course changed the face of the major tourist attractions, but there are still plenty of places to escape to in complete tranquillity.
Good to know: for regularly updated statistical information, visit the excellent website of the Icelandic Statistics Service: www.statice.is.
A rather late entry into the workforce
The percentage of the population over the age of 15 who can read and write is 99%, one of the highest in the world. Up to the age of 6, children begin their education in Pre-Schools. These then provide access to the primary and secondary education system, in what are known in English as Compulsory Schools. It takes around ten years, until the age of 16, for pupils to move on to other types of school, commonly known as Specialised Vocationnal Schools, Industrial-Vocationnal Schools, Comprehensive Schools or Grammar Schools, depending on their individual orientation.
Higher Education is not reached until the age of 20, after almost fourteen years of apprenticeship. Generally speaking, most Icelanders can enter the workforce by the age of 23. Even if the population is relatively favorable to the separation of church and state, religion remains closely interwoven with education.
Dating and seduction: constantly changing customs
Iceland is sometimes characterized by rather old-fashioned mores, whether in its ideals, its taste for the arts, its literature or its language. When it comes to sexuality, however, a number of naughty places have sprung up right in the heart of the capital, revealing a gradual change in mentality among the city's inhabitants. Family planning associations are making great efforts in this direction, notably through a decree that recognizes young people's sex lives and provides services for teenagers.
Thanks to these efforts, Iceland has achieved one of the lowest teenage pregnancy rates in the world, a low rate of HIV infection, and a sharp drop in abortions. There is, however, a relatively high rate of sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.), and condoms are often unappreciated by Icelanders... Be careful, as nocturnal effusions and games of seduction can sometimes lead to some misbehavior. Good to know too: in Nordic countries, it's usually the women who take the initiative in approaching the men!
As for marriage in Iceland, Parliament passed a law on June 4, 1996, which came into force on June 27, allowing two people of the same sex to register their union. In all other respects, including the union of heterosexual couples outside marriage, the law is largely based on Danish law. Two people of different sexes who register their union in this way can share parental authority.
A strong identity, halfway between past and future
Iceland's national character was established throughout the country's history, particularly before independence was proclaimed in 1944. Icelanders wanted to break away from the Danish crown and create an independent nation. This spirit of independence and freedom was also present in the 13th and 14th centuries, when Iceland became part of Norway.
With agriculture accounting for less than 10% of the population, it would seem that certain preconceived ideas about Iceland remain false, notably the one that sees them as completely outdated when it comes to technology. Quite the contrary! All Icelanders are very up to date with new technologies, which the young local population immediately embraces, enabling people living in the most remote areas to stay connected with the world. Paradoxically, Icelanders remain deeply rooted in their traditions and history. The country's character and identity can therefore be summed up in a simple expression: a blend of modernism and tradition.
Social protection equivalent to that of France
The Icelandic social welfare system closely resembles the French system. It covers old-age, survivors' and disability insurance, sickness and maternity insurance, occupational accident and disease insurance, unemployment insurance and family benefits. All workers, whether salaried or self-employed, are covered by the general universal social protection scheme, which applies to the entire population. The normal retirement age is 67 (60 for seafarers), and forty years of residence are required to receive a full pension. The social security system guarantees a minimum pension for everyone, even when contributions to the pension fund have been minimal or non-existent.
Many things were true before the 2008 crisis and are no longer so. For example, while Iceland enjoyed near-full employment and a high standard of living, it also discovered unemployment, with the rate reaching 8.9% in 2010. Over the last ten years, however, unemployment has fallen to around 3%. Although there is still no real poverty, the population is split into two distinct parts. On the one hand, the capital's growing number of city dwellers. On the other, the farmers who live in the countryside. Mentalities also diverge, of course. The rural exodus is massive, and the countryside is being deserted by young people. But these urban dwellers have not forgotten their roots. Indeed, there is a strong bond that links all Icelanders, not only through their common origins, but also through the traditions they all share.
The ratio of women to men in Iceland
Whether in society, at work or in their personal lives, women have always been considered equal to men in Iceland. The country has not really experienced any discrimination in this respect, and a common symbol of women's integration in the country is the former President of the Republic, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, who served no less than four terms in this position. Women were granted the right to vote as early as the end of the 19th century (only in 1944 in France!).
Women have also become an integral part of parliament, gradually winning seats in the prestigious edifice that is Parliament. Icelandic women also differ from their European counterparts when it comes to giving birth. Many of them voluntarily conceive a child at an early age (21-22) and raise it, even though they are still students and often single. State aid is available to help them reconcile family and student life, or family and professional life. Births out of wedlock or to unknown fathers, as well as blended families, are extremely common in Iceland.
Since 2018, equal pay for men and women has been mandatory, and any company with more than 25 employees must be able to prove that it is being respected. A powerful decision, which nevertheless serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance.
On October 24, 2023, a women's general strike movement to combat gender-based violence and wage disparities in Iceland made international headlines with numerous publications on the subject(Courrier International, The Guardian...). This movement, followed by a majority of women from all socio-professional categories, deliberately echoes the strike of October 24, 1975, when 90% of Icelandic women stopped working for one day, paralyzing the entire Icelandic system. The 1975 strike raised awareness of gender inequalities in a society based on more conservative models.
Blood ties still important in Iceland
It's not uncommon for families to take on the care of an elderly person or relative who finds themselves alone. Icelanders are also very attached to their ancestors, which is why they are increasingly involved in genealogical work. Some can easily trace their ancestors' lineage and affiliations back no fewer than seven generations.
The architecture of the homes in which these families live has evolved over the years. In Reykjavík's old town, you can see typical Nordic houses built of painted wood with corrugated iron roofs. These stand in stark contrast to the modern architecture of the buildings that now stand in the middle of the capital. As you travel through the country, you'll also discover the many abandoned farms that stretch out, sometimes in places far removed from any kind of life. Many farms were built from peat and covered with grass, giving them a distinctive charm.
As you can see, social life in Iceland constantly oscillates between the heritage of the past and a certain vision of the future. The sense of family, of tradition, remains deeply rooted at the heart of Icelandic life. Yet Iceland is constantly evolving, and its people embrace modernity without losing sight of their values.
