City Profile: Reykjavik
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Iceland
- Population of the city: 139849
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 273
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 41 800 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 35.50%
- GDP PER PERSON: 38130
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 0.5
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 25.00%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: 501-550
- Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 26.70%
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 0.00%
- Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 28.00%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 98.00%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 95.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 0.28
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 60.80%
- City have its own open data website, or does it regularly report and publish its data on the national open data platform managed by a government agency: yes
- Datasets containing information about the city and its residents which are available on the open data portal managed by the city or a government agency to which the city provides information: 573
- E-services: electronic payments, on-line appointment scheduling: yes
- Ability to hold conversations with officials via communication platforms or to book appointments online: yes
- Existence of up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy: yes
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 4.5
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 82.17
- Obesity rate: 24.00%
- Average number of working hours: 37.62
- Percentage of the adult population receiving support and coordinated mental health care: 15.60%
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 0.1
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 27.00%
- Existence of electronic payment system for transportation services, such as payments by card at terminals or via a mobile app: yes
- Payment via the city's mobile application: yes
- Payment via a special payment card at a terminal in the public transport vehicle: yes
- Payment via a debit or credit card at a terminal in the public transport vehicle: yes
- Existence of intelligent traffic management system (ITS): yes
- Distance to the nearest airport offering international flights: 2
- Percentage of public transport vehicles (e.g., buses, metro, trams) fully adapted for people with mobility disabilities: 100
- Number of traffic-related fatalities per 10000 residents: 0.93
- City provide data on public transportation (e.g., departure times, real-time location of public transport vehicles) through an open data portal managed by the city or a government entity: yes
- City provide on its website, mobile app, or through collaboration with other entities the ability to plan a journey using public transportation, known as a journey planner: yes
Environment & Sustainability
- Efficient use of electricity (per GDP): 1.07
- Average PM10 value in the city: 20.5
- Existence of biodiversity protection strategy in the city: yes
- Recycling rate: 72.00%
- Existence of any documents or municipal legal solutions promoting the use of renewable energy: yes
- Existance of information about CO2 emissions: yes
Economy & Business
- Number of businesses per 1,000 residents: 185.45
- Unemployment rate: 5.00%
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 7.6
- Percentage of employed people with disabilities: 35.00%
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Rank:
GOLD
Points:
854
Reykjavik, the northernmost capital in the world, is a city where modern innovation meets untouched natural beauty. With a population of nearly 140,000, Reykjavik is home to 35.5% of Iceland’s total population, making it the heart of the country’s cultural and economic life. Spanning 273 square kilometres, the city is defined by its sustainable urban development and deep commitment to environmental responsibility. Despite its relatively small size, Reykjavik has a robust economy, with a GDP per capita of 38,130 GBP and a steady growth rate of 0.5%. The city operates on a budget of 41.8 million GBP in 2024, ensuring continued investment in public services and infrastructure.
Education and innovation are integral to Reykjavik’s identity. While its highest-ranked university falls within the 501-550 range globally, Reykjavik prides itself on lifelong learning, with an impressive 26.7% of citizens engaged in formal education. Higher education is free, ensuring accessibility to all. The city's workforce is highly skilled, with 28% of the population holding a master’s degree. Nearly all residents—98%—speak at least one foreign language, and 95% possess digital skills, reinforcing Reykjavik’s role as a forward-thinking, globally connected city. While the city registers 0.28 patents per 10,000 residents, its focus on sustainability and digital transformation drives its progress.
Governance and transparency are fundamental to Reykjavik’s administration. Voter turnout in the last local elections reached 60.8%, reflecting the city’s strong democratic engagement. Reykjavik maintains an extensive open data platform, offering access to 573 datasets to enhance transparency and policy planning. The city prioritizes digital services, providing online appointment scheduling and electronic payments. Additionally, residents can communicate directly with officials through online platforms, ensuring an inclusive and accessible governance system. Reykjavik’s officially adopted development strategy guides its growth while maintaining a balance between urban expansion and environmental stewardship.
Health and well-being are cornerstones of Reykjavik’s quality of life. With universal medical insurance and 4.5 doctors per 1,000 residents, the city ensures high-quality healthcare for all. Life expectancy stands at 82.17 years, while 24% of the population faces obesity-related health challenges. Mental health support is widely available, with 15.6% of adults receiving coordinated care. Reykjavik maintains a low suicide attempt rate of 0.1 per 1,000 residents, reflecting the city's commitment to psychological well-being and social support networks.
Mobility and transport in Reykjavik are evolving to accommodate sustainable urban development. With a green mobility share of 27%, the city is gradually shifting towards eco-friendly transportation solutions. Reykjavik’s public transport system features intelligent traffic management and offers digital payment options, allowing residents to pay via mobile apps, transport cards, or debit and credit cards. The city’s international airport is just two kilometres away, ensuring seamless global connectivity. Road safety remains a concern, with traffic-related fatalities recorded at 0.93 per 10,000 residents, highlighting the need for continued urban transport improvements.
Sustainability is deeply ingrained in Reykjavik’s urban planning. The city leads in renewable energy adoption, supported by municipal policies and regulations promoting clean energy sources. Reykjavik achieves an efficient electricity use rate of 1.07 per GDP and maintains a strong recycling rate of 72%. The city also implements a biodiversity protection strategy and actively monitors CO2 emissions to reduce environmental impact. With an average PM10 pollution level of 20.5, Reykjavik remains one of the cleanest cities in the world, emphasizing its commitment to green living.
Reykjavik’s economy is diverse and resilient, driven by innovation and entrepreneurship. The city hosts 185.45 businesses per 1,000 residents, reinforcing its reputation as a thriving business hub. While the unemployment rate stands at 5%, Reykjavik’s workforce is inclusive, with 35% of employed individuals having disabilities. The city's global connectivity is reflected in its 7.6 foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents, highlighting its openness to international collaboration and investment.
Education and innovation are integral to Reykjavik’s identity. While its highest-ranked university falls within the 501-550 range globally, Reykjavik prides itself on lifelong learning, with an impressive 26.7% of citizens engaged in formal education. Higher education is free, ensuring accessibility to all. The city's workforce is highly skilled, with 28% of the population holding a master’s degree. Nearly all residents—98%—speak at least one foreign language, and 95% possess digital skills, reinforcing Reykjavik’s role as a forward-thinking, globally connected city. While the city registers 0.28 patents per 10,000 residents, its focus on sustainability and digital transformation drives its progress.
Governance and transparency are fundamental to Reykjavik’s administration. Voter turnout in the last local elections reached 60.8%, reflecting the city’s strong democratic engagement. Reykjavik maintains an extensive open data platform, offering access to 573 datasets to enhance transparency and policy planning. The city prioritizes digital services, providing online appointment scheduling and electronic payments. Additionally, residents can communicate directly with officials through online platforms, ensuring an inclusive and accessible governance system. Reykjavik’s officially adopted development strategy guides its growth while maintaining a balance between urban expansion and environmental stewardship.
Health and well-being are cornerstones of Reykjavik’s quality of life. With universal medical insurance and 4.5 doctors per 1,000 residents, the city ensures high-quality healthcare for all. Life expectancy stands at 82.17 years, while 24% of the population faces obesity-related health challenges. Mental health support is widely available, with 15.6% of adults receiving coordinated care. Reykjavik maintains a low suicide attempt rate of 0.1 per 1,000 residents, reflecting the city's commitment to psychological well-being and social support networks.
Mobility and transport in Reykjavik are evolving to accommodate sustainable urban development. With a green mobility share of 27%, the city is gradually shifting towards eco-friendly transportation solutions. Reykjavik’s public transport system features intelligent traffic management and offers digital payment options, allowing residents to pay via mobile apps, transport cards, or debit and credit cards. The city’s international airport is just two kilometres away, ensuring seamless global connectivity. Road safety remains a concern, with traffic-related fatalities recorded at 0.93 per 10,000 residents, highlighting the need for continued urban transport improvements.
Sustainability is deeply ingrained in Reykjavik’s urban planning. The city leads in renewable energy adoption, supported by municipal policies and regulations promoting clean energy sources. Reykjavik achieves an efficient electricity use rate of 1.07 per GDP and maintains a strong recycling rate of 72%. The city also implements a biodiversity protection strategy and actively monitors CO2 emissions to reduce environmental impact. With an average PM10 pollution level of 20.5, Reykjavik remains one of the cleanest cities in the world, emphasizing its commitment to green living.
Reykjavik’s economy is diverse and resilient, driven by innovation and entrepreneurship. The city hosts 185.45 businesses per 1,000 residents, reinforcing its reputation as a thriving business hub. While the unemployment rate stands at 5%, Reykjavik’s workforce is inclusive, with 35% of employed individuals having disabilities. The city's global connectivity is reflected in its 7.6 foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents, highlighting its openness to international collaboration and investment.