People group profile · PG043410
The Icelanders of Canada
The Icelanders of Canada, numbering about 3,100 people, are Unengaged and Unreached. They are a North Germanic people of the North Atlantic whose culture has been shaped by Norse settlement, geographic isolation, maritime livelihoods, a strong literary tradition, and a close relationship with a dramatic volcanic environment.
They are a diaspora people in the Scandinavian people cluster of the Eurasian Peoples. Their primary religion is Unaffiliated, and they primarily speak Icelandic.

Fast facts
- Country
- Canada
- Population
- 3,100
- Affinity group
- European Peoples
- People cluster
- Scandinavian
- Primary language
- Icelandic (isl)
- Primary religion
- Unaffiliated
- Strategic Progress Index
- Unengaged and Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority
- Expanding Unreached People Group
- Region
- Northern America, Americas
Where they live
Gospel status
The Icelanders are Unengaged and Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, and there has been no reported church planting activity in the past two years. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist No
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Icelanders
- Pray that God would send workers to this people group
- Begin sowing the gospel and seek out people of peace
- Plant the first churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice
Primary religion
Primary language
Icelandic · Indo-European family
100% speak Icelandic
Gospel resources in Icelandic
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- Biblián Heilög Ritning · video, audio
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Icelanders
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
Icelander in other countries
The same people (ROP3 103943) is reported in 3 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icelanders | Iceland | 355,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Icelanders | United States | 22,500 | No Longer Unreached |
| Icelanders | Denmark | 8,400 | Engaged yet Unreached |
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