In 2013 6,4% of people living in Iceland experienced material deprivation. The rate fell sharply between 2007 and 2008, at the height of the pre-crisis bubble, from 7,4% to 2,5% but rose again after that though it never exceeded its 2004-2007 levels. Iceland had the 6th lowest rate of material deprivation in Europe in 2012.
The rate of women experiening material deprivation in 2013 was 7.1%, compared to 5.7% of men. Deprivation rates also fell with age, being 1.4% for people 65 or older, 6.3% for 35-64 year olds and 7.9% for those between 25 and 34 years of age. While the two younger agegroups saw deprivation rates rise after the onset of the economic crisis the rate of deprivation fell for the oldest agegroup from 2006 to 2009 and remained stable after that. In 2013, 23.8 % of people living in households made up of one adult with one or more children were deprived of material goods, followed by childless singles (11.7%). The proportion was much lower for households with two adults with or without children.
The proportion of disabled and unemployed people suffering material deprivation in 2013 was 22.2% and 20.8%, respectively. This contrasts with 3.9% among those with fulltime jobs. The rate of students experiencing material deprivation was 7.5%. The risk of deprivation falls with rising education, 4,1% of people with university degrees were deprived, compared to 7,9% of those who only had primary education.
Social indicators: Material deprivation 2004-2013 - Statistical Series