Sociologist says Nordic men report cannot support claims about Icelandic men

A new report on Nordic men’s attitudes does not support conclusions drawn about Icelandic men, sociologist Kolbeinn Stefánsson says. In a critique published on his website, the University of Iceland associate professor questions both the report’s interpretation and its methods, saying the Icelandic data are particularly weak, mbl.is reports.

Equimundo’s report, State of Nordic Men 2026, has drawn attention in Iceland in recent days. The Centre for Gender Equality presented its findings in a statement on Friday.

Media coverage highlighted survey results suggesting that 71 percent of Icelandic men believe men, rather than women, should earn money to support a family. The figure was between 44 and 53 percent among men in the other Nordic countries. Coverage also said Icelandic men were more likely to consider resolving conflicts through violence part of masculinity.

Doctoral student Þórður Kristinsson described the findings as striking in an interview with Vísir. Another doctoral student, Arnar Gíslason, called them a warning sign for Icelandic society and urged earlier discussions with boys about equality, violence and relationships.

However, the Icelandic sample was considerably smaller than those in the other countries. Political science professor Eva H. Önnudóttir told RÚV that it appeared to be substantially skewed and that the findings should be treated with caution.

“We are told that Icelandic men’s ideas about violence are striking and that the report’s findings are a warning sign for Icelandic society,” Kolbeinn wrote. “And perhaps that is right, that we Icelandic men are extremely dangerous. The problem is that the report does not support that conclusion.”