Iceland

Iceland is the westernmost European nation and one of the world's least densely populated countries, with most of the population in the southwestern urban areas. The dominant ethnic group is Icelandic (Nordic-Celtic) and the dominant religion is Evangelical Lutheran, which is the state church. Icelandic women enjoy a high standard of living, a comprehensive state welfare system, high educational attainment, and more gender equality than most women in other countries. Most women work, although there is still a gender gap in wages. Women have attained the highest political offices. Iceland was first of 134 countries in the World Economic Forum's 2009 Global Gender Gap Report.

The average age at marriage is 31, and women continue to use their maiden names after marriage. The 2009 fertility rate ...