There were sharp differences in the number of people immigrating to
Iceland between the years 2007 and 2008. Namely, thousands fewer
arrived on these shores last year than the year before. According to figures from Statistics Iceland, 1,144 more people moved to Iceland last year than moved away from it. In 2007, by contrast, 5,132 more people moved to Iceland than moved away.
2007 marked a peak year in immigration. Statistics Iceland believes, without a doubt, that the financial crisis and its effect on exchange rates is what accounts for the drop in immigration numbers.
When it comes to internal migration, Suðurnes has pulled into first place as the part of the country to which most residents from elsewhere in Iceland move. The South of Iceland remainds the only part of the country – for two years running – where the number of foreigners moving into the area is greater than the number of Icelanders moving out.
Statistics Iceland’s entire report can be read here (in Icelandic).