It Is Possible To Drive Around The Whole Country In Less Than 24 Hours
The Ring Road is a perfect way for tourists to take in the scenery and culture of Iceland. It’s 828 miles (1332 kilometers) long and it goes around the country’s circumference, leaving out only the Westfjords and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. So, if you're not stopping anywhere and just want to enjoy a picturesque road trip, it is possible to drive through all of it in less than 24 hours, but most tour guides recommend to dedicate at least 7 days to see all the amazing things Iceland has to offer.
I can respect the need to control population growth. However, I am baffled by your choice to characterize the policy as "admirable in these times".