Net external migration to Iceland increased significantly in 2016 compared to the year before. Last year 4,069 more people migrated to Iceland than emigrated from Iceland, compared with 1,451 in 2015. According to Statistics Iceland the number of immigrants was 10,958 in 2016 compared with 7,461 in 2015. At the same time the number of emigrants increased from 6,010 in 2015 to 6,889 in 2016.
More Icelanders emigrate than immigrate
Last year the number of Icelanders who emigrated exceeded that of those who immigrated back to Iceland. 3,245 Icelandic citizens emigrated in 2016, compared to 3,099 who moved back. Historically more Icelanders have always emigrated than have immigrated back to Iceland. Since WWII most of these have migrated to the other Scandinavian countries, primarily Denmark and Norway.
Read more: Up to 4,000 foreign workers needed annually for the foreseeable future
Poland was the largest contributor of immigrants with foreign citizenship, 2,826 persons out of 7,859 foreign immigrants came from Poland. Poland was also the destination of most foreign citizens emigrating from Iceland: 1,089 out of 3,644 foreign citizens who emigrated from Iceland moved to Poland.
Most frequent age of immigrants 24 years
Statistics Iceland shows that the people most likely to either immigrate or emigrate were those in their 20s. 40.6% were 20–29 years old. 1,729 more males than females immigrated in 2016. The typical immigrant in 2016 was a 26 year old male.
Net external migration to Iceland increased significantly in 2016 compared to the year before. Last year 4,069 more people migrated to Iceland than emigrated from Iceland, compared with 1,451 in 2015. According to Statistics Iceland the number of immigrants was 10,958 in 2016 compared with 7,461 in 2015. At the same time the number of emigrants increased from 6,010 in 2015 to 6,889 in 2016.
More Icelanders emigrate than immigrate
Last year the number of Icelanders who emigrated exceeded that of those who immigrated back to Iceland. 3,245 Icelandic citizens emigrated in 2016, compared to 3,099 who moved back. Historically more Icelanders have always emigrated than have immigrated back to Iceland. Since WWII most of these have migrated to the other Scandinavian countries, primarily Denmark and Norway.
Read more: Up to 4,000 foreign workers needed annually for the foreseeable future
Poland was the largest contributor of immigrants with foreign citizenship, 2,826 persons out of 7,859 foreign immigrants came from Poland. Poland was also the destination of most foreign citizens emigrating from Iceland: 1,089 out of 3,644 foreign citizens who emigrated from Iceland moved to Poland.
Most frequent age of immigrants 24 years
Statistics Iceland shows that the people most likely to either immigrate or emigrate were those in their 20s. 40.6% were 20–29 years old. 1,729 more males than females immigrated in 2016. The typical immigrant in 2016 was a 26 year old male.
