Fertile ground, little staying power

New analysis by the think tank Varða on the disaster awareness and preparedness of the Icelandic public

The first comprehensive survey of the disaster awareness and preparedness of the Icelandic public reveals that trust is high and attitudes positive, but actual preparedness is weak, especially when disruptions last longer than two to three days. The survey was conducted by Gallup on behalf of Varða in autumn 2025, and the results compared with a European Eurobarometer survey on the same subject.

The will is there, but only a third consider themselves prepared

The survey results show that 94.6% of Icelanders trust responders and the authorities to react correctly to disasters, and 81.4% believe that preparation helps when put to the test. Yet despite these positive attitudes, only 37.1% consider themselves well prepared for disasters or emergencies in their local area. When the full sample is considered, including undecided responses, the proportion falls to 27.5%.

“The data suggest that the public approves of preparedness but is unclear about what counts as sufficient and where to begin. Simple, official guidelines that are easy to follow are needed.”

Supplies far below the European average

When it comes to food and water supplies, Iceland fares worse than the European average. Only 20.7% say they have emergency supplies of food and drink, compared with an average of 32.6% in EU countries, 52% in Finland and 44.8% in Sweden. Water supplies are even weaker: 9.1% in Iceland against 22.5% in the EU and 35.7% in Finland. Only 12.3% believe they could provide themselves with water for more than a week.

Simple equipment such as torches, candles and first-aid kits is relatively widespread, but preparedness weakens rapidly once greater foresight is required. In many cases, the staying power of Icelandic households appears limited to two or three days at most.

The local community is missing from preparedness

One of the most striking aspects of the survey is how small a role the local community plays in preparedness in Iceland. Only 5.2% have agreed with family or friends on ways to communicate in an emergency, 1.0% have consulted their neighbours, and 0.4% mention a workplace or school as a source of information. By comparison, the corresponding figures are much higher in EU countries and in the other Nordic countries.

When asked whom they would rely on in the first days after a disaster, only 39.9% mention neighbours, compared with 75.3% in the EU. Workplaces and schools appear to play almost no role in encouraging preparation: only 0.4% in Iceland against 8% in Europe.

Information dissemination rests on a single pillar

Iceland stands out in that the dissemination of information during disasters relies almost entirely on national media. In all, 80.4% of respondents name national media as their main source of information, against an EU average of 49%. At the same time, only 8.1% name the government, municipalities or public institutions, compared with 27% in the EU and 44–63% in the other Nordic countries.

This strength and weakness are two sides of the same coin. National media and responders reach large groups quickly, but with so few channels, disruptions to telecommunications or to the operations of the main media outlets could significantly reduce the flow of information to the public precisely when it matters most.

Four recommendations

The report puts forward four main recommendations: (1) Establish regular measurements so that developments can be tracked and progress assessed. (2) Set a clear seven-day benchmark for minimum household preparedness, in line with the policy the other Nordic countries have already adopted. (3) Engage the local community through regular education, consultation and exercises in workplaces, in schools and among neighbours. (4) Build a culture of awareness and preparedness in which preparation is a normal part of daily life rather than merely a reaction to individual events.

About the survey

The Gallup survey was conducted from 30 October to 14 November 2025 and covered 2,070 people aged 18 and over from Gallup's Attitude Panel. Responses were received from 881 participants. The results are compared with Special Eurobarometer 547, conducted in February and March 2024 in all EU member states. The survey is the first of its kind in Iceland and is intended to lay the foundation for regular monitoring of public preparedness.