25 Best Countries To Grow Old In

Home to more than 46 million people (out of which 11.3 million are over 60), Spain ranks high in the health domain (particularly in life expectancy at 60, healthy life expectancy at 60 and relative psychological well-being). It also ranks high in the enabling environment domain as most of elderly Spaniards are satisfied with their safety and public transport.

Belgium has a population of 11.3 million out of which 2.7 million people are over 60. This small Western European country does well in the enabling environment domain as local elderly are very satisfied with their civic freedom and public transport. The country also ranks high in the health domain, particularly in life expectancy.

One of the smallest countries on the list, Estonia is home to just 1.3 million people out of which 0.3 million are over 60. This Baltic country ranks highest in the capability domain as older Estonians have good access to the labor market and most of them are well-educated (89% of them have secondary or higher education).

The Czech Republic has a population of 10.6 million, including 2.6 million over 60. It ranks highest in the income security domain with 100% pension coverage and the lowest old-age poverty rate in its region. It also ranks high in the capability domain where it excels in the educational attainment – 99.8% of Czech elderly have secondary or higher education.

The only South American country on the list, Chile is home to 18 million people out of which 2.8 million are over 60. It performs best in the health domain, ranking above the regional average for life expectancy indicators and slightly below the average for psychological well-being. Chile also has the highest regional rate of educational attainment among older people.

Panama has a population of 3.9 million including 0.4 million over 60. It ranks highest in the capability domain (particularly in the employment rate). There are several other indicators where Panama is above regional average such average life expectancy, relative psychological well-being and pension income coverage.

Home to just 0.6 million inhabitants (0.1 million over 60), Luxembourg ranks first in the income security domain, with the second highest regional GNI per capita and the second lowest regional poverty rate in old age. It also ranks high in the health domain and the enabling environment domain (social life, civic freedom and public transport).

Israel has a population of 8.5 million out which 1.3 million are over 60. This Middle East country ranks highest in the capability domain with the employment rate and educational attainment among older people both above the regional averages. It also performs well in the health domain, with values near the regional averages for life expectancy at 60 and healthy life expectancy at 60.

Out of 24.3 million Australians, 4.9 million are over 60. Australia ranks highest in the health domain, with values above the regional average on all health indicators. It also does well in the capability domain (high levels of educational attainment and employment rate among older people) and in the enabling environment domain (social connectedness and civic freedom).

France has a population of 66.7 million, including 16.3 million of people over 60. It ranks highest in the income security domain with one of the lowest old age poverty rates and 100% pension coverage. France also ranks high in the health domain, with a life expectancy at 60 and healthy life expectancy at 60 higher than the regional average.

Ireland is home to 6.4 million people out of which 0.9 million are over 60. Known for its clean environment, Ireland ranks consistently high in all domains. It performs best in the enabling environment domain, with one of the highest rates of social connectedness among older people in the region. It also boasts good values for life expectancy at 60 and healthy life expectancy at 60.

Home to 5.5 million people (including 1.5 million of those over 60), Finland is the first Scandinavian country to appear on the list. Ranking high in all domains consistently, Finland particularly excels in the income security domain with 100% pension income coverage and a very low old age poverty rate. Finnish elderly are also satisfied with their safety and civic freedom.

Out 8.7 million Austrians, 2.1 million are 60 or older. As the country is generally considered one of the best places for life, it comes as no surprise that it is also a great place to grow old in. Austria boasts 100% pension income coverage, very high average GNI per capita and impressive values for life expectancy at 60 and healthy life expectancy at 60.

Regarded as one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world, New Zealand is home to 4.7 million people (out of which 0.9 million are over 60). It scores high in the health domain (all indicators), the capability domain (high employment rate of older people) and the income security domain (pension income coverage of 98%).

Denmark has a population of 5.7 million, including 1.4 million of elderly people over 60. The country ranks high in the enabling environment domain with older people’s high levels of satisfaction with social connectedness, safety and civic freedom. Denmark also boasts great values in educational attainment, 100% pension income coverage and low old age poverty rates.

Home to 65.1 million people (out of which 14.9 million are over 60), the United Kingdom ranks consistently high in all domains. It particularly stands out in the enabling environment domain as a vast majority of the British elderly are satisfied with their social connections, safety, civic freedom and access to public transport.

The most populous country on the list, the US has a population of 324.7 million, including 66.5 million of people over 60. It ranks highest in the capability domain, with an employment rate and educational attainment among older people above the regional averages. Older Americans also enjoy relatively high safety and social connectedness.

Home to 127.1 million people, out of which 41.9 million are over 60, Japan has the longest life expectancy in the world and the highest proportion of older people in the world. Older Japanese enjoy healthy lives, high safety, civic freedom and social connectedness. It ranks lowest in the income domain but still has above regional and Index averages for pension income coverage.

With a population of just 0.3 million (60,000 over 60), Iceland is the smallest country on the list but it is a great place to grow old in. Iceland has 100% pension income coverage, very low old age poverty and great values on both life expectancy at 60 and healthy life expectancy at 60. Older Icelanders are also happy with their social connectedness, safety, civic freedom and public transport.

Out of 17 million Dutch, 4.2 million are 60 or older. This Western European country has above average values on all indicators in the enabling environment domain, low old age poverty rate and 100% pension income coverage. Older Dutch are also well-educated as 81% of them have secondary or higher education.

Canada has a population of 36.5 million including 8 million of people over 60. Boasting one of the cleanest environments on Earth, Canada performs best in the health domain and is above the regional average on all health indicators. In fact, the only thing Canadian elderly do not seem to be satisfied with is the public transport.

The most populous EU country, Germany is home to 82.2 million people, out of which 22.3 million are over 60. The fourth best country to grow old in, Germany performs best in the capability domain with impressive values in the employment rate among older people (63.5%) and educational attainment (96.4%). It also ranks high in the enabling environment domain and health domain.

Home to 10 million people (2.5 million over 60), Sweden is renowned for its high living standards, excellent healthcare, civil liberties, high per capita income and general prosperity. Obviously, the Swedes enjoy all of these things even at old age as local elderly are very happy with their lives. Sweden scores above-average in all domains.

Another North European country that regularly ranks among the best places to live, Norway has a population of 5.3 million out of which 1.1 million are over 60. It scores well above average across all domains but it particularly stands out in the capability domain as it boasts a very high employment rate (71.1%) and educational attainment (98.3%) among older people.

Home to 8.4 million people (2 million over 60), Switzerland is renowned for a number of things including government transparency, civil liberties, quality of life, clean environment, economic competitiveness, human development etc. Consequently, this little Alpine country regularly ranks as the best place to live and it is not surprising to see it at the top of this ranking either.