| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 20,553 (born in Poland)[1] | |
| Languages | |
| Polish language · English language · Icelandic language | |
| Religion | |
| Roman Catholicism |
Poles make up the largest group ofimmigrants inIceland. On 1 January 2021,Statistics Iceland recorded 20,553 Polish-born people living in Iceland.[1] Although small compared to the size of migrant groups in other countries, that makes them the biggest minority ethnic group in Iceland.[2]
There have been several different migratory movements of Poles to Iceland. The first major migration occurred at the turn of the 19th century after Polandlost its statehood. However, for much of theCold War period, most of the Polish population was restricted in their ability to travel outside ofPolish People's Republic at all due to theIron Curtain.[2]
More recently in 2004, an influx occurred afterPoland joined theEuropean Union, thereby easing restrictions on Polish citizens' eligibility to work in otherEuropean Economic Area states. In 2006, Iceland's construction industry boomed and Polish workers were increasingly hired to fulfill work demands. Within a year, the number of Polish migrants in the country increased by 81%. Poland also joined Iceland in theSchengen Zone in 2007.[2] As a result, Poles do not need work or resident permits to live and work in Iceland.[3] Theglobal financial crisis of 2008 decreased the levels of migration drastically and more Poles repatriated than arrived in Iceland during this year.[2]
The demographic is largelyendogamous and insular. Poles in Iceland typically speakPolish, watch Polish television, continue to practiceCatholicism and have openedPolish restaurants.[3]
The Icelandic public broadcasterRÚV maintains a news web page and podcast in Polish.[4] The page was started in 2020 during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[5]
A study conducted in 2012 suggested that most Polish Icelanders used theEnglish language more often thanIcelandic in their daily lives, found English more useful and often learned it before learning Icelandic.[2]
Ahead of the2024 Icelandic presidential election, several candidates published versions of their websites in Polish.[6][7][8][9]
Poles living in Iceland can cast their vote in Polish elections. During thePolish presidential election in 2020 roughly 80% of Poles in Iceland voted forRafał Trzaskowski (candidate of theCivic Platform) while only 20% voted forAndrzej Duda (candidate of theLaw and Justice party). This contrasts with Poland whereAndrzej Duda won the majority.[10]
.svg) | This article about anethnic group in Europe is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
