Pupils in Iceland Receive Fewer Teaching Hours than European Peers

2026-03-29 - 09:53

Primary school pupils in Iceland spend fewer days and hours in formal instruction than most of their European counterparts, according to new comparative data. Figures from the Eurydice platform show that Iceland has among the lowest number of teaching days and total instructional hours in primary education across Europe. What's the Story? Around 170 teaching days per year in Icelandic primary schools; among the lowest in Europe, according to Eurydice Teaching hours lower than comparable countries; 7,616 hours in Iceland versus up to 10,600 in Denmark Education spending at 5.6% of GDP, above OECD average; PISA 2022 results below OECD average Official Portrait of Inga Sæland. Minister of Social Affairs and Housing of Iceland. Photo: Althing. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. Education gaps highlighted The school year in Iceland consists of around 180 days, with approximately 170 teaching days, placing it below most Nordic and European systems. In neighbouring countries, the school year is longer, with Denmark exceeding Iceland by around 30 days and Norway by 20 days. Total teaching hours also differ significantly, with Denmark providing up to 10,600 hours compared with 7,616 hours in Iceland. Despite this, Iceland’s education spending remains high by international standards. According to OECD data, expenditure on primary and secondary education accounts for 5.6% of GDP, above the OECD average. However, student performance remains below average in international assessments. Results from the PISA 2022 study show Icelandic pupils scoring lower than the OECD average in reading, mathematics and science. “We are not doing well enough when it comes to educating our children,” said Inga Sæland, Minister of Social Affairs and Housing of Iceland. “We pay more than we teach and reap less than the nations we compare ourselves to. I want to turn this around and look at, among other things, increasing the number of teaching days with municipalities and the school community.”