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What kills people in Iceland at each age

Six facts computed from official Eurostat death and population statistics for Iceland (2018, 2019 and 2023), next to 36 other countries (Belarus, whose causes of death by age are estimated, only where life expectancy is compared). Every number links to the page it comes from. Free to cite with a link.

Fact 1

For men in Iceland aged 15–29, the most likely cause of death is an accidental overdose or poisoning

The most likely cause of death over the next 10 years, by age:

Suicide, overdoses and alcohol are among the most preventable causes of death. If you or someone you love is struggling, call the Red Cross helpline on 1717 — free and confidential, any time. Or find help at findahelpline.com.

Fact 2

At 45, a man in Iceland is 26% less likely to die in the next year than the median European man

Chance that a 45-year-old man dies within 12 months. Against the median of 34 European countries, a man in Iceland at 25 is ×1.21, at 65 ×0.71; a woman at 45 ×0.97.

  1. Romania1 in 181
  2. Poland1 in 223
  3. United Kingdom1 in 355
  4. France1 in 387
  5. Germany1 in 413
  6. Belgium1 in 446
  7. Austria1 in 456
  8. Iceland1 in 560
  9. Italy1 in 568
  10. Netherlands1 in 573
  11. Spain1 in 593
  12. Switzerland1 in 666
  13. Sweden1 in 688
Fact 3

Life expectancy: Iceland ranks 5th of 37 for men and 14th for women

Life expectancy at birth, men (years):

  1. Switzerland82.1
  2. Sweden81.5
  3. Norway81.3
  4. Italy81.1
  5. Iceland81.0
  6. Spain81.0
  7. Ireland80.9
  8. Cyprus80.9
  9. Malta80.7
  10. Luxembourg80.4
  11. Netherlands80.2
  12. Belgium80.1
  13. France79.9
  14. Canada79.7
  15. Denmark79.6
  16. Austria79.4
  17. Portugal79.3
  18. United Kingdom79.2
  19. Greece79.0
  20. Finland78.9
  21. Slovenia78.5
  22. Germany78.4
  23. Czechia76.8
  24. United States76.0
  25. Croatia75.3
  26. Slovakia74.8
  27. Türkiye74.7
  28. Poland74.6
  29. Estonia74.2
  30. Serbia73.6
  31. Hungary73.3
  32. Lithuania72.8
  33. Romania72.5
  34. Bulgaria71.9
  35. Latvia70.4
  36. Belarus69.2
  37. Moldova67.4
Fact 4

Women in Iceland outlive men by 3.1 years — the 2nd-narrowest gap of 37 countries

How much longer women live than men, at birth (years):

  1. Belarus10.2
  2. Latvia9.5
  3. Lithuania8.8
  4. Moldova8.8
  5. Estonia8.4
  6. Romania7.6
  7. Bulgaria7.6
  8. Poland7.4
  9. Slovakia6.5
  10. Hungary6.4
  11. Iceland3.1
Fact 5

A 20-year-old man in Iceland has an 85% chance of reaching 70

Chance that a 20-year-old man lives to 70, at today's death rates (women in Iceland: 90%):

  1. Switzerland87%
  2. Sweden86%
  3. Italy85%
  4. Iceland85%
  5. Netherlands84%
  6. Spain84%
  7. Belgium82%
  8. Austria82%
  9. United Kingdom81%
  10. France80%
  11. Germany79%
  12. Poland68%
  13. Romania63%
Fact 6

The diseases of ageing take over from overdoses and suicide as the top threat for men in Iceland at 45 — for women at 34

The age at which heart disease, cancer, lung, brain or metabolic disease becomes the most likely cause of death (for young women, usually breast cancer). Men, by country:

  1. Belgium48
  2. Switzerland47
  3. France46
  4. Poland46
  5. Netherlands46
  6. Iceland45
  7. Sweden45
  8. Austria43
  9. United Kingdom42
  10. Germany41
  11. Italy41
  12. Spain41
  13. Romania30
What about you — and the people you love?

See what's most likely to kill someone of your age and sex in Iceland. Free.

Check your risks

Computed by Odainn from official mortality statistics (Eurostat, 2018, 2019 and 2023) — how we calculate. © European Union, Eurostat — reuse authorised with acknowledgement of the source. More: Iceland by age · Europe. Population statistics, not predictions for any individual. Educational, not medical advice.