The Icelandic State currently employs, 21,102 people and 1,186 have a secured job for life with the State. Most of them, 181, hold tenure at the University of Iceland and 108 are employees of the Reykjavík Police.

Before July 1 1996, everyone hired by State had thereby secured employment for life, but following the implementation of a new law, State employees are hired in five year periods, except for judges. They can remain in office fpr as long as they wish, visir.is reports.

This was disclosed after the Independence Party MP Gunnlaugur Þór Þórðarsson asked Minister of Finance Bjarni Benediktsson at Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament, about the government’s employment policy, and how many state employees have a secured job for life