Urban area over the long-term in Iceland
Iceland: Urban area over the long-term was 84.86 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
84.86 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 1.4%
World rank
166th
of 202 countries
All-time high
84.86 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0006 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Iceland, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Iceland stood at 84.86 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
The figure is up 1.4% on the previous year and up 16.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Iceland peaked at 84.86 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0006 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
That places Iceland 166th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Iceland, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0027 km² per grid cell | +320.0% |
| 1200 | 0.0082 km² per grid cell | +200.0% |
| 1300 | 0.0245 km² per grid cell | +200.0% |
| 1400 | 0.063 km² per grid cell | +157.1% |
| 1500 | 0.1889 km² per grid cell | +200.0% |
| 1600 | 0.4702 km² per grid cell | +148.9% |
| 1700 | 1.16 km² per grid cell | +145.6% |
| 1710 | 1.88 km² per grid cell | +62.8% |
| 1720 | 2.53 km² per grid cell | +34.4% |
| 1730 | 3.08 km² per grid cell | +22.1% |
| 1740 | 3.55 km² per grid cell | +15.1% |
| 1750 | 3.93 km² per grid cell | +10.7% |
| 1760 | 4.24 km² per grid cell | +7.8% |
| 1770 | 4.49 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1780 | 4.7 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1790 | 4.9 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1800 | 5.08 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1810 | 5.28 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1820 | 5.63 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1830 | 6.03 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1840 | 6.5 km² per grid cell | +7.9% |
| 1850 | 7.07 km² per grid cell | +8.8% |
| 1860 | 7.76 km² per grid cell | +9.8% |
| 1870 | 8.3 km² per grid cell | +6.9% |
| 1880 | 8.87 km² per grid cell | +6.9% |
| 1890 | 9.48 km² per grid cell | +6.9% |
| 1900 | 10.13 km² per grid cell | +6.8% |
| 1910 | 10.82 km² per grid cell | +6.8% |
| 1920 | 14.31 km² per grid cell | +32.2% |
| 1930 | 17.05 km² per grid cell | +19.2% |
| 1940 | 20.18 km² per grid cell | +18.3% |
| 1950 | 22.69 km² per grid cell | +12.5% |
| 1951 | 23.29 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1952 | 23.98 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1953 | 24.72 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1954 | 25.52 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1955 | 26.34 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1956 | 27.19 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1957 | 28.05 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 1958 | 28.92 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1959 | 29.79 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 1960 | 30.66 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 1961 | 31.52 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1962 | 32.36 km² per grid cell | +2.7% |
| 1963 | 33.19 km² per grid cell | +2.6% |
| 1964 | 33.99 km² per grid cell | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 34.76 km² per grid cell | +2.3% |
| 1966 | 35.49 km² per grid cell | +2.1% |
| 1967 | 36.18 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1968 | 36.86 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1969 | 37.55 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1970 | 38.27 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1971 | 39.01 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1972 | 39.79 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1973 | 40.59 km² per grid cell | +2.0% |
| 1974 | 41.36 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 1975 | 42.08 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 1976 | 42.75 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 1977 | 43.37 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1978 | 43.97 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1979 | 44.58 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1980 | 45.24 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1981 | 45.85 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1982 | 46.51 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1983 | 47.2 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1984 | 47.9 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1985 | 48.6 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 1986 | 49.29 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1987 | 49.98 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1988 | 50.67 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1989 | 51.36 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 1990 | 52.04 km² per grid cell | +1.3% |
| 1991 | 52.52 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1992 | 52.99 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1993 | 53.46 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1994 | 53.93 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1995 | 54.42 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1996 | 54.92 km² per grid cell | +0.9% |
| 1997 | 55.45 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1998 | 55.99 km² per grid cell | +1.0% |
| 1999 | 56.46 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2000 | 56.86 km² per grid cell | +0.7% |
| 2001 | 57.68 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2002 | 58.49 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2003 | 59.32 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2004 | 60.14 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 60.97 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 62.13 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 2007 | 63.29 km² per grid cell | +1.9% |
| 2008 | 64.46 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 65.64 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2010 | 66.82 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2011 | 68.02 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2012 | 69.23 km² per grid cell | +1.8% |
| 2013 | 70.44 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2014 | 71.65 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 72.87 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 74.1 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2017 | 75.33 km² per grid cell | +1.7% |
| 2018 | 76.57 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2019 | 77.81 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 79.06 km² per grid cell | +1.6% |
| 2021 | 80.21 km² per grid cell | +1.5% |
| 2022 | 81.37 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 82.53 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2024 | 83.69 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2025 | 84.86 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 84.86 km² per grid cell is below the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 8% of the median. (68 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 84.86 km² per grid cell is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 1,372 km² per grid cell, 6% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Iceland changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | +320.0% | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0027 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +200.0% | 0.0027 km² per grid cell | 0.0082 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +200.0% | 0.0082 km² per grid cell | 0.0245 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +200.0% | 0.063 km² per grid cell | 0.1889 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +157.1% | 0.0245 km² per grid cell | 0.063 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +148.9% | 0.1889 km² per grid cell | 0.4702 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0027 km² per grid cell | 0.0027 km² per grid cell | 0.0027 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0082 km² per grid cell | 0.0082 km² per grid cell | 0.0082 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.0245 km² per grid cell | 0.0245 km² per grid cell | 0.0245 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.063 km² per grid cell | 0.063 km² per grid cell | 0.063 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 0.1889 km² per grid cell | 0.1889 km² per grid cell | 0.1889 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 0.4702 km² per grid cell | 0.4702 km² per grid cell | 0.4702 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 1.16 km² per grid cell | 1.16 km² per grid cell | 1.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 1.88 km² per grid cell | 1.88 km² per grid cell | 1.88 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 2.53 km² per grid cell | 2.53 km² per grid cell | 2.53 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 3.08 km² per grid cell | 3.08 km² per grid cell | 3.08 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 3.55 km² per grid cell | 3.55 km² per grid cell | 3.55 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 3.93 km² per grid cell | 3.93 km² per grid cell | 3.93 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 4.24 km² per grid cell | 4.24 km² per grid cell | 4.24 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 4.49 km² per grid cell | 4.49 km² per grid cell | 4.49 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 4.7 km² per grid cell | 4.7 km² per grid cell | 4.7 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 4.9 km² per grid cell | 4.9 km² per grid cell | 4.9 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 5.08 km² per grid cell | 5.08 km² per grid cell | 5.08 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 5.28 km² per grid cell | 5.28 km² per grid cell | 5.28 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 5.63 km² per grid cell | 5.63 km² per grid cell | 5.63 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 6.03 km² per grid cell | 6.03 km² per grid cell | 6.03 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 6.5 km² per grid cell | 6.5 km² per grid cell | 6.5 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 7.07 km² per grid cell | 7.07 km² per grid cell | 7.07 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 7.76 km² per grid cell | 7.76 km² per grid cell | 7.76 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 8.3 km² per grid cell | 8.3 km² per grid cell | 8.3 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 8.87 km² per grid cell | 8.87 km² per grid cell | 8.87 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 9.48 km² per grid cell | 9.48 km² per grid cell | 9.48 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 10.13 km² per grid cell | 10.13 km² per grid cell | 10.13 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 10.82 km² per grid cell | 10.82 km² per grid cell | 10.82 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 14.31 km² per grid cell | 14.31 km² per grid cell | 14.31 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 17.05 km² per grid cell | 17.05 km² per grid cell | 17.05 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 20.18 km² per grid cell | 20.18 km² per grid cell | 20.18 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 26.05 km² per grid cell | 22.69 km² per grid cell | 29.79 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 34.26 km² per grid cell | 30.66 km² per grid cell | 37.55 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 41.58 km² per grid cell | 38.27 km² per grid cell | 44.58 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 48.26 km² per grid cell | 45.24 km² per grid cell | 51.36 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 54.22 km² per grid cell | 52.04 km² per grid cell | 56.46 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 60.9 km² per grid cell | 56.86 km² per grid cell | 65.64 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 72.29 km² per grid cell | 66.82 km² per grid cell | 77.81 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 81.95 km² per grid cell | 79.06 km² per grid cell | 84.86 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
- 163 Netherlands Antilles 99.92 km² per grid cell compare
- 164 Martinique 95.46 km² per grid cell compare
- 165 Djibouti 88.12 km² per grid cell compare
- 167 Barbados 81.6 km² per grid cell compare
- 168 New Caledonia 78.22 km² per grid cell compare
- 169 Comoros 68.99 km² per grid cell compare
More reference data data for Iceland
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0288 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.0708 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.1854 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0001 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.1854 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0964 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.062 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.2576 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.7664 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0005 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Iceland?
- Urban area over the long-term in Iceland was 84.86 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 84.86 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0006 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Iceland rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Iceland ranks 166th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iceland data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.