Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Iceland

Iceland: Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) was 30.3% in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
30.3%
Change on year
down 13.1%
World rank
39th
of 78 countries
All-time high
35.8%
in 2017
All-time low
23.4%
in 1999
Years of data
15
1999–2023

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Iceland, 1999–2023

0102030401999201120231999: 23.42001: 31.82003: 332005: 32.22006: 29.72007: 27.32008: 27.32009: 33.22011: 25.52013: 342017: 35.82018: 35.82021: 35.32022: 34.82023: 30.3

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

In 2023, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Iceland stood at 30.3%.

That represents a change of down 13.1% on the previous year and down 10.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Iceland peaked at 35.8% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 23.4%, in 1999.

Iceland ranks 39th of 78 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.

Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Iceland, year by year

Annual values for Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Business enterprise in Iceland, 1999 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1999 23.4%
2001 31.8% +35.9%
2003 33.0% +3.7%
2005 32.2% -2.2%
2006 29.7% -8.0%
2007 27.3% -8.0%
2008 27.3% +0.0%
2009 33.2% +21.8%
2011 25.5% -23.2%
2013 34.0% +33.0%
2017 35.8% +5.5%
2018 35.8% +0.0%
2021 35.3% -1.5%
2022 34.8% -1.3%
2023 30.3% -13.1%

Iceland compared with similar countries

  • Iceland's 30.3% is above the median for high income countries, which is 26.8%, 1.1× the median. (44 countries reporting)
  • Iceland's 30.3% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 28.8%, 1.1× the median. (43 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 23.4% 23.4% 23.4% 1
2000s 30.6% 27.3% 33.2% 7
2010s 32.8% 25.5% 35.8% 4
2020s 33.5% 30.3% 35.3% 3

Countries ranked near Iceland

  1. 36 Sri Lanka 30.7% compare
  2. 37 Portugal 30.6% compare
  3. 38 Colombia 30.3% compare
  4. 40 Greece 30.3% compare
  5. 41 Tunisia 30.0% compare
  6. 42 Belgium 29.6% compare

See the full ranking of 78 places →

More science & technology data for Iceland

All data for Iceland →

Frequently asked questions

What is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Iceland?
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) in Iceland was 30.3% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in Iceland?
The highest recorded value was 35.8% in 2017.
What is the lowest female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) recorded in Iceland?
The lowest recorded value was 23.4% in 1999.
How does Iceland rank for female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc)?
Iceland ranks 39th out of 78 countries with data for 2023.
Is female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (hc) rising or falling in Iceland?
Over the last ten years it is down 10.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Iceland data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Business enterprise. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) in Iceland. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://science-tech.statizoid.com/stat/female-researchers-as-a-percentage-of-total-researchers-hc-business-enterprise/iceland/

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About this data

Indicator
Female researchers as a percentage of total researchers (HC) - Business enterprise
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
78 places, 1,249 data points, 1996–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release