What are people in Iceland most likely to die from, at each age?
Life expectancy at birth in Iceland is about 81 years for men and 84 for women. But what threatens people most changes with age — and until late middle age it is rarely what people expect. Pick an age group for the full picture.
Top cause = the most likely cause of death over the next 10 years (on wider screens, with its share of all risk) · 10-year risk = chance of dying from any cause within 10 years, for someone in the middle of the age group.
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.
Cancer screening in Iceland
- Breast cancerevery 2 years at 40–69, every 3 years at 70–74 — you're invited
- Colorectal cancerno national programme — ask your doctor about a stool test every 2 years at 50–74 (European guidelines)
- Cervical cancerevery 3 years, ages 23–29 — you're invitedHPV test every 5 years at 30–59, a last one at 60–64 — you're invited
- Lung cancerif you smoke or smoked heavily, ages 50–74 — ask whether it's offered
Based on Iceland's national screening invitations and European guidelines. Each cancer's page compares the programmes country by country.
Computed by Odainn from official Eurostat mortality statistics for Iceland (2018, 2019 and 2023) — how we calculate. Educational, not medical advice.