According to recently published data by Statistics Iceland the population of Iceland grew by 1.1% in 2015. On January 1 2016 the total population of the island stood at 332,259, which was 2,429 more than a year earlier. Most of the population increase took place in the capital region, which grew by 2,333 inhabitants in 2015.
Population decline continues in the Westfjords
At the same time as the population of Reykjavík and surrounding suburban municipalities grew by 1.1% in 2015, the population of the Westfjords shrank by 1.2%. 87 fewer people lived in the Westfjords on January 1 2016 than a year before. The population of North Iceland shrank by 2 inhabitants and East Iceland by 44. The population of South and West Iceland grew, by 445 and 200 inhabitants respectively. The Reykjanes peninsula and South-West Iceland, excluding the capital region, also saw a significant increase, 483 people.
Read more: The population of the Westfjords continues to shrink, down by 34% in the past 34 years
One proper city, and 95 towns and villages in Iceland
Statistics Iceland identifies 96 urban areas with more than 50 inhabitant in Iceland. Most are very small. In addition to a single city, Reykjavík, Iceland has 60 urban areas with 200 or more inhabitants and 35 smaller villages with 50-199 inhabitants. The vast majority of Icelanders, 311,850 people, live in urban areas. Only 20,679 people live in smaller villages, in villages, rural areas or at farms.
Read more: Is Akureyri a town or a city?
Statistics Iceland defines population centres as urban areas if they have a “clearly defined street grid” where houses are not spaced more than 200 meters (660 feet) apart. Urban areas must have more than 200 inhabitants and no more than 1/3 of the inhabitants may work in agriculture. All other population centres are counted with rural areas. According to Statistics Iceland there are 35 such smaller villages with 50-199 inhabitants.
According to recently published data by Statistics Iceland the population of Iceland grew by 1.1% in 2015. On January 1 2016 the total population of the island stood at 332,259, which was 2,429 more than a year earlier. Most of the population increase took place in the capital region, which grew by 2,333 inhabitants in 2015.
Population decline continues in the Westfjords
At the same time as the population of Reykjavík and surrounding suburban municipalities grew by 1.1% in 2015, the population of the Westfjords shrank by 1.2%. 87 fewer people lived in the Westfjords on January 1 2016 than a year before. The population of North Iceland shrank by 2 inhabitants and East Iceland by 44. The population of South and West Iceland grew, by 445 and 200 inhabitants respectively. The Reykjanes peninsula and South-West Iceland, excluding the capital region, also saw a significant increase, 483 people.
Read more: The population of the Westfjords continues to shrink, down by 34% in the past 34 years
One proper city, and 95 towns and villages in Iceland
Statistics Iceland identifies 96 urban areas with more than 50 inhabitant in Iceland. Most are very small. In addition to a single city, Reykjavík, Iceland has 60 urban areas with 200 or more inhabitants and 35 smaller villages with 50-199 inhabitants. The vast majority of Icelanders, 311,850 people, live in urban areas. Only 20,679 people live in smaller villages, in villages, rural areas or at farms.
Read more: Is Akureyri a town or a city?
Statistics Iceland defines population centres as urban areas if they have a “clearly defined street grid” where houses are not spaced more than 200 meters (660 feet) apart. Urban areas must have more than 200 inhabitants and no more than 1/3 of the inhabitants may work in agriculture. All other population centres are counted with rural areas. According to Statistics Iceland there are 35 such smaller villages with 50-199 inhabitants.
