Iceland: Economic and Political Outline
Economic Indicators | Foreign Trade in Figures | Sources of General Economic Information | Political Outline
After a period of continuous growth between the second half of the 1990s and 2007, Iceland was badly hit by the global international crisis since October 2008. The rapid expansion of the Icelandic financial system was done in an incautious and immoderate fashion and it has left Iceland completely vulnerable to affront the international financial shocks, up to the point of practically inducing the country into a situation of "national bankruptcy". In top of this, during the last recent years, Iceland's economy has been stimulated by a real estate boom, which now, has contributed to destabilize the economic situation even more due to the current difficulties in obtaining mortgages.
Confronted to the total collapse of its financial system, the former government of Geeir Haarde had to nationalize the country's main banks; however this action did not contain the "hemorrhage". Inflation continues to climb, reaching almost 18.6% today. In November 2008, the IMF granted a loan of USD 2 billion in order to stabilize the Icelandic krona's exchange rate, which has suffered considerably due to the crisis, and to re-establish confidence in the economy.
In order to benefit from European aid and from the protection that the Euro currency provides, Iceland requested in July 2009 a candidature for its accession to the European Union. However, this project of becoming a member of the EU has not obtained the support of the population and the issue will have to pass through a popular referendum. The economic perspectives for 2011 remain very cautious since the country also has to settle its disagreement with the United Kingdom and the Netherlands regarding the bankruptcy of the Icelandic bank IceSave. The government has taken drastic adjustment measures as conformed to the plan of the IMF and its economy is not expected to revive until the second quarter of 2011.
| Main Indicators | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 (e) | 2013 (e) |
| GDP (billions USD) | 12.09 | 12.59 | 14.09 | 14.73 | 15.37 |
| GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change) | -6.9 | -3.5e | 2.5 | 2.5 | 3.1 |
| GDP per Capita (USD) | 37,853 | 39,026e | 43,226 | 44,723 | 46,185 |
| General Government Balance (in % of GDP) | -7.1 | -2.4 | -2.9 | -1.9 | -1.0 |
| General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP) | 88.2 | 92.4 | 101.2 | 96.8 | 95.0 |
| Inflation Rate (%) | 12.0 | 5.4e | 4.2 | 4.5 | 2.5 |
| Unemployment Rate (% of the Labor Force) | 8.0 | 8.1 | 7.1 | 6.0 | 4.7 |
| Current Account (billions USD) | -1.42 | -1.29e | 0.27 | 0.47 | -0.07 |
| Current Account (in % of GDP) | -11.7 | -10.2 | 1.9e | -0.4 | - |
Source: IMF - World Economic Outlook Database ; World Bank , Last Available Data
Note: (e) Estimated Data
The Icelandic economy relies partly in its renewable natural resources and its related industries: deep sea fishing, hydraulic and geothermal power and pastures. It has been several years that its economy has also grown thanks to the services sector. As a fact, Iceland has become the rear-base of several companies specialized in computers and software.
There are also many calling centers in the Icelandic territory.
| Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector | Agriculture | Industry | Services |
| Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment) | 4.5 | 19.0 | 74.3 |
| Value Added (in % of GDP) | 6.3 | 27.2 | 66.5 |
| Value Added (Annual % Change) | -0.1 | 1.2 | 1.5 |
Source: World Bank - Last Available Data.
| Monetary Indicators | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Iceland Krona (ISK) - Average Annual Exchange Rate For 1 USD | 70.18 | 64.06 | 87.95 | 123.64 | 122.24 |
Source: World Bank - Last Available Data.
Distribution of Economic freedom in the world
Source: 2009 Index of Economic freedom, Heritage Foundation
See the Country Risk Analysis Provided By Ducroire.
Iceland has always been open to international trade. Almost half of the exports are fishing products. Iceland also exports aluminum and ferrosilicon (around 40% of its total exports), as well as dairy products.
Iceland's main customers are Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
| Foreign Trade Indicators | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
| Imports of Goods (million USD) | 6,137 | 6,738 | 6,205 | 3,604 | 3,931 |
| Exports of Goods (million USD) | 3,453 | 4,783 | 5,382 | 4,057 | 4,601 |
| Imports of Services (million USD) | 2,539 | 2,938 | 2,501 | 1,912 | 2,040 |
| Exports of Services (million USD) | 1,810 | 2,261 | 2,175 | 2,303 | 2,492 |
| Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | 10.4 | -0.7 | -18.2 | -24.1 | - |
| Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) | -5.0 | 18.1 | - | - | - |
| Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 50.0 | 45.3 | 47.2 | 44.4 | - |
| Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) | 32.2 | 34.6 | 44.4 | 53.2 | - |
| Trade Balance (million USD) | -2,239 | -1,385 | -300 | 733 | 983 |
| Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD) | -2,930 | -2,076 | -645 | 1,042 | 1,346 |
| Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) | 82.3 | 80.0 | 91.5 | 97.5 | - |
Source: WTO - World Trade Organization ; World Bank , Last Available Data
| Main Customers (% of Exports) |
2010 |
| Netherlands | 34.0% |
| Germany | 14.0% |
| United Kingdom | 10.1% |
| Spain | 4.7% |
| United States | 4.6% |
| See More Countries | 32.6% |
| Main Suppliers (% of Imports) |
2010 |
| Norway | 9.0% |
| Brazil | 8.7% |
| Netherlands | 8.5% |
| United States | 8.2% |
| Germany | 7.5% |
| See More Countries | 58.1% |
Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data
Source: Comtrade, Last Available Data
The Prime Minister is the head of the government and holds the executive powers which include implementation of the law in the country and running the day-to-day affairs. The Prime Minister also appoints the Cabinet.
- IP (Independence Party) – centre-right conservative political party, opposes joining the EU;
- PP (Progressive Party) - an agrarian and liberal political party;
- Alliance – a social-democratic party, based on the alliance of the People's Alliance (PA), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Women's List;
- LGM (Left Green Movement) – advocates traditional socialist values, feminism and environmentalism;
- LP (Liberal Party) – a liberal party, opposes joining the EU and the war in Iraq.
Source: Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2010, Reporters Without Borders
Map of freedom 2010
Source: Freedom House
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Last Updates: January 2012