Gullfoss

Iceland

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Iceland
Published: 2026

Region: Northern Europe
Capital: Reykjavík
Currency: Icelandic Króna (ISK)
Density: 4 / km²

WRI Score 2026

81.61

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 15th
In Europe: 9th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 46%· KPMG / EY
8.9
Among the highest top marginal rates on this list.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 4 / km²· UN WPP
100.0
Sparsely populated, well below global norms.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $108,591· IMF WEO 2026
100.0
Among the highest nominal GDP per capita globally.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 83.4 years· WHO / UN
93.7
Strong healthcare outcomes, above the global average.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 5.5 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
100.0
Exceptionally high tourism intensity relative to population.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 3.3%· ILO / SECO
94.4
Low, stable labour market.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 0% of GDP· SIPRI
100.0
Minimal defence spending relative to output.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
88.5
Strong safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
50.7
Elevated ideological enforcement.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Iceland holds 15th of 211 with a WRI Score of 81.61 — ranks just behind the very top tier. The score is driven by near-perfect population density (100) and GDP per capita (100), with its tax treatment standing out as its clearest structural constraint.