For the first time in 17 years the inhabitants in the Westman Islands, off Iceland’s southern cost, are increasing. In 2007, 4,040 people resided in Heimaey, the only inhabited island of the archipelago, but this year inhabitants count 4,080.
From the Westman Islands. Copyright: Icelandic Photo Agency.
Mayor Ellidi Vignisson told Fréttabladid that the increase in population is not only caused by the worsening economic situation in the capital region, “because percentage-wise, the increase was more in the first part of this year.”
In response to what is causing this increase in population, Vignisson replied, “The municipality has been strengthening for the past few years. Inhabitants have great expectations to improved transportation [a new ferry] and the fishing industry has been growing.”
Vignisson said he had promised Westman Islanders full-scale celebrations once the population had started to increase so now he would have to start planning.
