When you think of Icelandic women, what comes to mind? Iceland is a very progressive country known around the world as one of the leaders in gender equality, recognized as the most gender-equal country in the world according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report. The Iceland culture blends both traditional and modern values that have been shaped over hundreds of years thanks to many remarkable women.
Icelandic women are notorious for their intelligence, beauty, and strength, but there are also many misconceptions about them. In this article, we will explore the Iceland history of women their roles, achievements, and contributions, along with the impact they continue to make in the country today. We will also look at the best ways for you to experience the culture yourself on a trip to Iceland.
How Many Women Are There in Iceland? Statistics On Icelandic Women
As of May 2024, Iceland’s population is approximately 385,567. 187,015 are female, and 198,552 are male. That means that women make up 48.5% of the population, and men are at 51.5%, so it’s very close to a 50/50 split.
Icelandic women are highly educated, with many of them having university degrees. According to Statista, an average of 43.4% of women go on to post-secondary education, while only 27.6% of men do.
Women are also very active in Iceland’s workforce and contribute significantly to various sectors of the economy, including many leadership positions. In 2022, 47.6% of the seats in the national parliament were held by women, and according to Wikipedia, as of 2018, 88% of women of working age were employed.
While the gender pay gap (wage gap) is quite low compared to other countries and continues to decrease each year, women still earn about 9% less per hour than men. However, in 2018 Iceland passed legislation that required all companies with over 25 employees to obtain an equal pay certification, proving that pay for Icelandic men and women in the same positions was equal.
Icelandic women’s life expectancy is one of the highest in the world. This is probably due to the country’s excellent healthcare system, quality of life, and the fact that the culture prioritizes mental and physical well-being. Women live, on average, 83.8 years in Iceland, which is almost 10 years above the global average.
photo from UEFA.com
The Most Celebrated Icelandic Women
Many Icelandic women have become globally recognized for their contributions to society, women’s rights, music, and film. Here are a few of the most notable and celebrated women from Iceland:
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was the world’s first democratically elected female president, also the first female president of iceland.
She served as head of state for 16 years, from 1980 until 1996, making her the longest-serving female in the country’s history.
During her time as president, Vigdis made many contributions to Iceland’s culture, educational system, environment, and women’s rights.
Björk
Björk is arguably the most recognized Icelandic woman, with dedicated fans all around the world. The singer, songwriter, and actress is known for her eclectic musical style and personality.
She has a very distinctive voice and an incredible three-octave vocal range, so it’s no surprise Björk’s musical career has lasted over four decades.
Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir
Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir is a well-known Icelandic actress best known for her role in the film Woman at War.
The film, which debuted in 2018, was recognized internationally for its focus on feminism and environmental activism and won multiple awards.
Laufey
Laufey is an Icelandic-Chinese singer and songwriter who is known for her unique voice and musical style that blends jazz, classical and pop music.
She is new to the scene, with her first album coming out in 2022, but she has already become very notable worldwide, winning a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2024 for her second album, “Bewitched.”
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir
Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir was Iceland’s prime minister from 2009 to 2013, becoming the world’s first openly gay head of government. She is noted for her work leading the country through a major financial crisis after a banking collapse in 2008.
She also implemented many laws promoting equal rights, such as more balanced parental leave laws which encouraged a more even split of parenting between men and women.
Hildur Guðnadóttir
Hildur Guðnadóttir is an award-winning composer and cellist, predominantly working in film and television scoring. She won an Academy Award for Best Original Score for “Joker,” and also won an Emmy and Grammy for her work on the TV series “Chernobyl.”
Aníta Briem
Aníta Briem is an Icelandic actress known for her roles in international films and TV series, including Journey to the Center of the Earth and The Tudors.
Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir
Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir is the lead singer and guitarist of the indie folk band Of Monsters and Men, which gained international fame with their hit single “Little Talks.”
These women, among many others, exemplify the strength and diversity of Icelandic women, showcasing their talents and leadership on the world stage.
What Do Icelandic Women Look Like?
Icelandic women are known for having striking features, and often often characterized by fair skin, light eyes, and blonde hair. However, these stereotypes are very generic and don’t necessarily represent all the women in Iceland. The population of Iceland is very diverse, with many people having a varied European backgrounds and therefore you will see all different skin and hair colors.
The genetic makeup of Icelandic women is largely influenced by the country’s history of Viking settlers and the cultural exchanges that have followed since. The heritage has led to a blend of Nordic and Celtic features. It’s also worth mentioning that beauty standards in Iceland embrace natural looks and emphasize healthy skin and minimal makeup. This is just an observation from our perspective.
Gender Equality in Iceland: Pioneers in Feminism and Equality
One of the most notable qualities about Iceland from a global perspective is the country’s leadership in gender equality and women’s rights. The country is consisitantely ranked high in global gender equality indexes due to its progressive legal policies and inclusive culture.
Iceland’s journey towards gender equality began as far back as 1850 when it was the first country in the world to grant women and men equal inheritance rights. In 1915, women over 40 were granted the right to vote, making it one of the first adopters of women’s suffrage. By 1920 the age barriers were lifted.
Fast forward to 1975 and the “Women’s Day Off” occurred, when 90% of the women in Iceland went on strike to protect gender equality, which led to signficiant social changes, including the implementation of the first version of the Gender Equality Act.
Only five years after the strike, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir was elected as the first female president to be democratically elected in the world. She implemented many progressive changes for women during her 16 years in office. In 2008, the Gender Equality Act got a signficient update, ensuring that women and men have equal access to resources and opportunities.
Since then, further legislations have been passed in regards to gender quotas in corporate boards and in 2018 the Equal Pay Certification came into effect to ensure that women and men serving in the same roles received the same pay.
Does the Icelandic Government Pay Men to Marry Icelandic Women?
There’s a common misconception that the Icelandic government pays men to marry Icelandic women. This is false. Iceland does not offer these type of incentives, and this rumor likely stems from misunderstandings or misinformation. Iceland values equality and autonomy in relationships and does not promote such practices.
The misconception may have come from Iceland’s renowned approach to promoting gender equality and supporting families. For example, Iceland offers generous parental leave policies that benefit both mothers and fathers, encouraging shared responsibilities in childcare. And these types of progressive policies serve as a way to create a balanced society where everyone has equal opportunities.
The Famous Icelandic Women’s Strike
On October 24, 1975, Icelandic women made history with a nationwide strike to protest gender inequality. Nearly all the women in Icealnd (about 90%) joined the strike and refused to work, cook, or take care of children.
They called it a ‘day off’ so that they could not legally be fired from their jobs, because employees were entitled to days off. This strike really shone a spotlight on how crucial the role of women was to society, and as a result, there were many advancements in women’s rights and gender equality in Iceland.
The entire country essentially came to a stand still on this day, while many women united to rally in the Iceland capital Reykjavik.
The Women’s Strike had a significant impact on Icelandic society, especially in terms of pay for equal work and job opportunities. It was broadcasted globally through radio, TV and newspapers, and led to other countries taking sijmilar actions, making it an iconic event in the global movement towards gender equality.
The Icelandic Women in Iceland Today: Gender Equality Moving Forward
Today, Icelandic women continue to hold pivotal roles in various sectors from leadership in business to politics. Up until April 2024, Katrín Jakobsdóttir served as the country’s prime minister, beginning her term back in 2017.
The women’s strike has continue to be celebrated in October, with women going on strike seven times since the original strike in 1975. In October of 2023 the women’s strike had a record number of participants, including the prime minister. There were tens of thousands of women at the rally in Reykjavik. Only one bank opened in the entire country and even medical clinics were only open for emergencies.
Icelandic women are also still very active in advocating for equal pay, parental leave for men and women, and other policies that help create a more fair and balanced society over all. As the country is so well known for its gender equality many leaders have also cited a responsibility to live up to the expectations that the world has for them.
The number of women is Icelandic politics has continued to increase over the years, with women now holding a significant number of seats in parliament. After the parliamentary election in 2021, the number of seats held by women went from 24 up to 30. The parliament has 63 members, so its currently 47% women.
The push for gender equality in Iceland is not just limited to policies and representation. It’s also present in cultural attitudes and everyday practices. For example, gender-neutral education is promoted in schools so that children grow up with equal opportunities and without restrictive gender norms.
The Best Way to Experience Icelandic Culture
To fully appreciate Icelandic culture, including the contributions of Icelandic women, here are some top recommendations:
- Drive Around and Experience: Renting a car and driving around Iceland allows you to explore the Icelandic landscape and charming Iceland cities at your own pace. From the popular Golden Circle route to the remote areas in the Westfjords, every region has something special to see. The Ring Road (Route 1), which circles the entire country, enables you to see the diversity of the country’s natural wonders like Iceland waterfalls, glaciers, volcanos and hot springs.
- Try Local Food: Food from Iceland is a mix of both traditional and modern option. Make sure that you try the lamb stew, seafood and Iceland’s famous hot dogs is a delightful mix of traditional and modern flavors.
Don’t miss trying local dishes like lamb stew, seafood, and the famous Icelandic hot dogs. Different to other hot dogs, these are made with a blend of lamb, beef and pork and served with a sweet, spicy brown mustard and remoulade. If you’re feeling more adventurous you can try dishes like fermented shark or sheep’s head. - Talk to Local People: Iceland people are incredibly friendly people, and known for their hospitality. One of the best ways to learn about the country and its culture is by speaking with the people that live there. Many Icelanders speak English fluently, making it easy for visitors to communicate. Participating in community events or joining guided tours is also a great way to learn about the culture.
- Try Local Activities: There are tons of things to do in Iceland. From visiting one of the country’s geothermal swimming pools, like the Blue Lagoon, to whale watching in Husavik, or horseback riding on the Icelandic horse, there are no shortage of local Icelandic activities to keep you busy on your trip.
The Legacy of Icelandic Women
Icelandic women haved shaped the country’s past, present and will undoubtedly continue to shape the future. From trailblazers like Vigdís Finnbogadóttir to modern icons like Björk and Laufey, Icelandic women continue to make significant contributions both within the country and worldwide. Ensure that you always prebook a rental car online and in advance with Hertz Iceland to give you the freedom to discover the ways women have influenced Iceland’s culture.
