In 2005, the National registry recorded 68,335 changes of residence in Iceland where the population counts 295,864 inhabitants (mid-year population). Internal migration was registered in 56,649 cases, 7,773 individuals immigrated whereas 3,913 emigrated.

Measured in relation to the population, internal migration has increased slightly in recent years. Internal migration rate amounted to 191.5 per 1,000 population, as compared to 191.1 in 2004 and 167.9 in the early 1990s. In 2005 international migration has been more pronounced than any other year. International net-migration was no less than 13 per 1.000 inhabitants.

In 2005, the number of foreign citizens moving to Iceland from abroad was 4,680 as compared to 3,093 Icelandic nationals. Most immigrants of foreign nationality were from Poland (1.539), followed by immigrants from China (408) and Germany (299).