Media post: Interesting Car Ownership in Iceland Facts and Figures 

There’s no doubt that Iceland is a top road trip destination. It’s very driveable, especially in the summer. You have the Ring Road, a road of about 1,330 km that circles the island nation, to help navigate the country.

You have the diversity and serenity of the scenery to yourself as you take the Ring Road or the F-roads that lead to the Highland. Iceland also has a well-developed rental market for cars and campervans. You can conveniently rent a campervan in Iceland for a week to check out the sights and camp in legally designated sites to save on accommodation costs.

These points inevitably lead to car use in Iceland. Aren’t you curious to know whether everyone in Iceland owns a car (or are there more cars than people in Iceland)? How do Icelandic men and women differ as car owners? And how big is camping in Iceland? Find the answers to these questions and other interesting car ownership statistics in Iceland.

Cars vs. People in Iceland

There are 389,990 people living in Iceland, with 249,560 based in the capital region, according to Statistics Iceland. The capital region includes Reykjavikurborg (city of Reykjavik) with about 139,000 inhabitants.

The same source shows 249,032 registered passenger cars, or those that transport one to eight passengers, in Iceland in 2024. That’s 1.6 persons in every passenger car.

According to 2021 census by Statistics Iceland, 110,699 private households own at least a car. This figure represents 84.6% of the total households in the country. Of the total car-owning households, 48,350 households own two or more cars, and 62,349 households have one car.

Here’s a breakdown of vehicles owned by households based on fuel consumption as of 2023:

– 130,458 gasoline vehicles

– 78,785 diesel and methane vehicles

– 26,429 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles

Men vs. Women as Car Owners

According to an article on the City of Reykjavik’s reykjavik.is, citing a 2022 government report, men make up 64% of Iceland’s car owners and women 36%.

The same article also points out a likelihood for men to own larger, heavier vehicles, which are linked to higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Women, on the other hand, factor in fuel economy in choosing a car. This consideration is evident in a mentioned 2018 car registry survey showing women as registered owners of 43% of Iceland’s eco-friendly cars. It’s then not surprising for women to be more inclined to buy or switch to electric cars based on a 2022 Gallup survey.

In the context of the City of Reykjavik’s plans to cut carbon emissions, with 82% coming from transportation, another article sheds light on how men and women in Iceland travel. According to the article, citing research, men tend to take less-frequent trips but with longer duration in a day, versus women with their several yet short trips that are connected with childcare and domestic duties.

Iceland’s Camping Market

Camping offers an affordable way to travel around Iceland with its high cost of living. Rental providers such as Cozy Campers make it simple to rent a campervan suited to different travel needs, helping visitors explore the country while reducing accommodation costs

The camping market in Iceland is projected to generate US$6.71 million in revenues by 2025 and have a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.82% for 2025 through 2029, according to Statista. The same outlook expects online sales to comprise 49% of Iceland’s total camping market revenues. Statista defines “camping market” to include bookings at campsites.

Overnight stays at camping sites in Iceland totaled 1,302,113 in 2023. Campsites form an integral part of the accommodation network in the country. It is where those camping in motorhomes, campervans, and tents are allowed to stay. Except for very specific circumstances, always remember that it’s illegal to wild camp in Iceland.

It’s easy to see how camping meets customers’ increasing desire for outdoor experiences and rising demand for sustainable travel options noted by the outlook. Camping in RV and campervans also shows growing popularity with the flexibility and convenience they offer to travelers.

Conclusion

With the questions posed as our guide, we learn:

– Iceland currently has a population of 389,990 (first quarter of 2025) versus total registered passenger cars of 249,032 (2024). So, while not everyone owns a car (and cars certainly don’t outnumber people in Iceland), the car ownership rate per household is pretty high.

– Men (64%) outnumber women (36%) as car owners in Iceland. Men tend to like their cars large and heavy, while women gravitate toward fuel-efficient cars.

– Camping is big in Iceland in terms of numbers and value to travelers. It is often promoted as a sustainable way to experience the outdoors, although the environmental impact can vary depending on whether travelers use tents, campervans, or larger RVs.

Lastly, expect sustainability to be more felt in Iceland as the country continues to move forward with eco-friendly trave