Iceland
Leading cause: Cancer · 47% plant-based · 83 yr life expectancy · UHC 90/100
What People Eat
Cardiovascular and dietary profile drawn from WHO Global Health Estimates. Plant-based score reflects the share of whole plant foods (grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts) in the typical national diet.
Disease Burden
Leading cause of death: Cancer · 141 / 100k
Bars show each rate against the global range; the tick marks the world median.
Iceland enjoys one of the world's longest life expectancies (83) and low heart disease (75/100k), with cancer (141/100k) leading mortality. Fish, dairy, and a strong health system underpin the longevity; vegetable intake is naturally limited by climate.
Healthcare System
Sources: WHO UHC Service Coverage Index (SDG 3.8.1) & WHO Global Health Expenditure Database. Latest available year.
What Could Improve
- Raise vegetable, fruit, and whole-grain intake, the scarcer part of the traditional diet.
- Maintain the high fish intake and moderate processed-meat and sugar consumption.
Explore the evidence: Cancer
WHO Global Health Estimates · 2022 · age-standardized country data
→ 75 CVD deaths per 100k · 47% plant-based diet