Lífshæfni

Lífshæfni is an Icelandic term referring to life skills—the combination of abilities that enable a person to navigate daily life effectively. It covers personal, social, and practical competencies that support learning, work, health, finances, and relationships.

The word combines líf (life) and hæfni (ability or competence). In public discourse, lífshæfni is used to describe both individual capacities and curricular aims to develop these capacities in students and adults.

Typical domains include cognitive skills (critical and creative thinking, problem solving, decision making), social and emotional skills (communication, cooperation, empathy, self-regulation), and practical skills (health literacy, financial literacy, digital literacy, risk assessment).

Policy and education: Icelandic authorities integrate lífshæfni into school curricula and lifelong learning programs, reflecting a global emphasis on life skills to promote well-being, citizenship, and resilience.

Assessment and challenges: Life skills are often evaluated through portfolios, project work, and self-assessment rather than standardized tests, due to their context-dependent nature. Implementation varies by institution.