Iceland
Last updated April 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Progressing readiness
Iceland shows progressing readiness (90th percentile worldwide). Reforms are translating into broader capability, though uneven performance continues to slow system-wide alignment. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 90th
- Global rank
- #19
- Regional rank
- #14
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Iceland shows strong future-readiness momentum, with clear strengths in Governance (84, 93rd percentile), Infrastructure (76, 90th percentile), and Human Capital (64, 93rd percentile).
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation. Strong tertiary enrollment expands future talent pipelines and strengthens national innovation potential.
Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Policy and regulatory teams coordinate effectively, keeping reforms aligned and providing the stability needed for long-term educational planning. Gender parity leans toward boys in secondary pathways, signalling persistent barriers for girls.
Regionally, Iceland leads most clearly in Governance, sitting well above the peer average.
Areas with room to grow: Innovation (47, 67th percentile). These dimensions sit close to global norms and could accelerate quickly with targeted investment.
Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.
Key insights
- Ranks in the 90th percentile worldwide, placing the system among high performers.
- Places 19th worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 14th within Europe & Central Asia.
- Scores range from Access & Parity (84.1) to Innovation (47.3), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Leads regional peers most clearly in Governance.
Regional peers: Europe & Central Asia
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Denmark | 80.65 |
| 5 | 2 | Austria | 75.95 |
| 6 | 3 | Norway | 75.54 |
| 7 | 4 | Finland | 75.51 |
| 8 | 5 | Switzerland | 75.24 |
| 9 | 6 | Germany | 75.12 |
| 10 | 7 | United Kingdom | 74.89 |
| 11 | 8 | Sweden | 74.71 |
| 12 | 9 | France | 74.55 |
| 15 | 10 | Portugal | 72.72 |
| 16 | 11 | Estonia | 72.11 |
| 17 | 12 | Netherlands | 71.64 |
| 18 | 13 | Czechia | 71.11 |
| 19 | 14 | Iceland | 70.99 |
| 20 | 15 | Belgium | 70.89 |
| 21 | 16 | Poland | 70.70 |
| 22 | 17 | Lithuania | 70.65 |
| 23 | 18 | Slovenia | 70.57 |
| 27 | 19 | Spain | 70.17 |
| 28 | 20 | Ireland | 70.12 |
| 29 | 21 | Luxembourg | 69.43 |
| 30 | 22 | Italy | 69.35 |
| 31 | 23 | Greece | 69.25 |
| 35 | 24 | Latvia | 68.04 |
| 36 | 25 | Cyprus | 67.99 |
| — | — | LiechtensteinMicrostate | 67.36 |
| 37 | 26 | Hungary | 65.67 |
| 38 | 27 | Croatia | 65.56 |
| — | — | GibraltarMicrostate | 64.07 |
| — | — | San MarinoMicrostate | 63.76 |
| 42 | 28 | Bulgaria | 62.81 |
| 43 | 29 | Moldova | 62.80 |
| — | — | MonacoMicrostate | 62.60 |
| 44 | 30 | Serbia | 62.22 |
| 46 | 31 | Russian Federation | 61.73 |
| 47 | 32 | Slovak Republic | 61.70 |
| 50 | 33 | Turkiye | 60.91 |
| 51 | 34 | Montenegro | 60.80 |
| 52 | 35 | Kazakhstan | 60.66 |
| 53 | 36 | Armenia | 60.51 |
| — | — | Channel IslandsMicrostate | 60.36 |
| — | — | Isle of ManMicrostate | 60.36 |
| — | — | Faroe IslandsMicrostate | 60.33 |
| 55 | 37 | Albania | 59.95 |
| — | — | AndorraMicrostate | 59.64 |
| 58 | 38 | Georgia | 58.46 |
| 62 | 39 | Uzbekistan | 57.72 |
| 63 | 40 | Belarus | 57.44 |
| — | — | GreenlandMicrostate | 56.89 |
| 69 | 41 | Kyrgyz Republic | 56.42 |
| 74 | 42 | Romania | 55.12 |
| 77 | 43 | North Macedonia | 54.09 |
| 84 | 44 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 51.59 |
| 85 | 45 | Kosovo | 51.46 |
| 90 | 46 | UkraineFCS | 50.96 |
| 98 | 47 | Azerbaijan | 48.88 |
| 108 | 48 | Turkmenistan | 41.46 |
| 109 | 49 | Tajikistan | 41.41 |