Fjölskyldugerð

Fjölskyldugerð, meaning family formation or family structure, is an Icelandic sociological and statistical term used to describe the composition and form of a family or household. It encompasses who is considered part of the family—parents, children, stepfamilies, grandparents or other relatives—as well as the presence of non-relatives and whether the household includes one or multiple generations. The concept is used in demographic research and by official statistics agencies to classify households for censuses, surveys, and administrative records.

Common categories in fjölskyldugerð include two-parent households with children, single-parent households, childless couples, and households headed by extended or multi-generational families. Other categories cover blended or stepfamilies, same-sex couples with or without children, foster or adoptive households, and groups of unrelated adults living together. The precise definitions can vary by country and over time, reflecting social norms and policy needs.

In Iceland and other Nordic countries, fjölskyldugerð is used to analyze fertility, marriage and divorce, migration, housing demand, childcare needs, and welfare policies. Data on family formation informs housing planning, tax and benefit design, and education and social services. Societal changes—such as later marriage, higher female labor force participation, rising divorce rates, and recognition of diverse family forms—have contributed to increasing diversity in fjölskyldugerð.

Icelandic statistics authorities, including Hagstofa Íslands, regularly publish classifications and trends related to fjölskyldugerð as part of population and household statistics.