Research Database Metadata
Statistics Iceland's Research Database contains microdata on key demographic, social, and economic areas in the Icelandic society. It currently includes five main tables: (1) Population, (2) Income, (3) Children, (4) Migration, and (5) Education. Metadata files are provided for each table, describing the content, structure, and definition of each variable, ensuring transparency, comparability, and correct interpretation of the data. Applicants can access detailed variable-level metadata for each table through the provided links.
Tables can be linked within a project using unique pseudoidentifiers. These identifiers are generated separately for each project and cannot be linked across projects. This protects confidentiality and reduces disclosure risk.
The Research Database is subject to continuous review, validation, and updates to ensure quality and accuracy. The database is under ongoing development, with enhancements made regularly to expand and improve available data. Depending on Statistics Iceland data availability, additional project-specific variables can be created, according to the description provided and approved in the project application.
Population
The population table contains core demographic information at the individual level, including age, sex, and other background variables. It includes 24 variables, covering the years 1978–2023. Each record represents an individual and can be linked to other tables within the same project using project‑specific pseudoidentifiers. The dataset is subject to ongoing review, validation, and updates to ensure accuracy, consistency, and confidentiality. This table serves as a foundational dataset for defining the observational population and linking demographic variables to other socio‑economic information in the database.
- The period specified might change for specific variables depending on their availability.
Information specific to each variable can be found in the metadata link. - Statistics Iceland Research Database is updated once a year, by the end of year.
No information on the current year is included.
Education
The education table contains core educational information at the individual level. For each individual, it includes 3 variables, covering the years 1990–2022. Each record represents an individual and can be linked to other tables within the same project using project‑specific pseudoidentifiers. The dataset is subject to ongoing review, validation, and updates to ensure accuracy, consistency, and confidentiality. This dataset informs on the highest educational level attained by individuals and their field of education in the Icelandic society.
- The period specified might change for specific variables depending on their availability.
Information specific to each variable can be found in the metadata link. - Statistics Iceland Research Database is updated once a year, by the end of year.
No information on the current year is included.
Children
The children table contains core information at the individual level, for children born in Iceland from 1990, obtained from the birth registry and the National Registry. For each individual, it includes 8 variables. Each record represents an individual and can be linked to other tables within the same project using project‑specific pseudoidentifiers. The dataset is subject to ongoing review, validation, and updates to ensure accuracy, consistency, and confidentiality. This data set informs on family relationships including a child’s parents, siblings, adoptions, and multiple births.
- The period specified might change for specific variables depending on their availability.
Information specific to each variable can be found in the metadata link. - Statistics Iceland Research Database is updated once a year, by the end of year.
No information on the current year is included.
Migration
The migration table contains immigration and emigration status at individual level. For each individual, it includes 3 variables, covering the years 1986–2022. Each record represents an individual and can be linked to other tables within the same project using project‑specific pseudoidentifiers. The dataset is subject to ongoing review, validation, and updates to ensure accuracy, consistency, and confidentiality. This dataset informs on the migration status of individuals, to and from Iceland, as well as migration within Iceland. Alternatively, the dataset can be provided on a monthly basis.
- The period specified might change for specific variables depending on their availability.
Information specific to each variable can be found in the metadata link. - Statistics Iceland Research Database is updated once a year, by the end of year.
No information on the current year is included.
Income
The income table contains core information at individual level, including income-, liability-, tax-, and benefit-related variables. It includes 36 variables, covering the years 1989–2023. Each record represents an individual and can be linked to other tables within the same project using project‑specific pseudoidentifiers. The dataset is subject to ongoing review, validation, and updates to ensure accuracy, consistency, and confidentiality. This dataset informs on income-related variables for individuals and families.
- The period specified might change for specific variables depending on their availability.
Information specific to each variable can be found in the metadata link. - Statistics Iceland Research Database is updated once a year, by the end of year.
No information on the current year is included.
Currently under development
The following datasets are currently under development. Applicants can request information about these datasets via email by contacting orgogn@hagstofa.is
Students
The student table aims to provide key information on educational pathways followed by individuals, including data from 1997 to 2023. Main variables are: Programme name, ISCED97 field and label, ISCED2011 field and level. The dataset informs on the student status of individuals registered as such in October each year at all levels of the Icelandic educational system.
Employers
The employers table aims to provide key information on individual’s employers history, including data from 2008 to 2023 . The main variables are: Employers’ ID, ISAT industry categories, number of employment months, employment sector, and employment status. The dataset informs on the links between employers and employees on the Icelandic labor market and type of industry.