In this article we will present the 5 countries with the largest percentage of population aged 65 and up. You can read our detailed discussion and a more comprehensive list by visiting 30 Countries With the Largest Percentage of Population Aged 65 and Up.
5. Germany
Population Percentage (ages 65 and above): 23%
Total Population (in thousands): 84,482
With a high total population, Germany is one of the countries that have the highest population of the age 65 and older. According to a recent sustainability report, age-related expenditures in Germany could rise from 27.3% of GDP in 2022 to as much as 36.1% by 2070 under less favorable conditions. Even with more optimistic assumptions, this figure is projected to reach 30.8%.
4. Finland
Population Percentage (ages 65 and above): 24%
Total Population (in thousands): 5584.26
The proportion of the population aged 65 and older in Finland is expected to rise from (projected) 26% in 2030 to 29% by 2060. This ageing population is also one of the causes for the labor shortages in the country.
Infact, Finland’s workforce continues to decline, with a 2.6% reduction in January 2024 compared to the previous year, as reflected by the Ilmarinen Economic Index. The hardest-hit sectors are staffing services (-13.2%), construction (-10.0%), and hospitality (-3.2%).
3. Italy
Population Percentage (ages 65 and above): 24%
Total Population (in thousands): 58,761
With 24% of the population aged 65 and above, Italy ranks 3rd in our list of countries with the largest percentage of oldest populations in the world.
2. Japan
Population Percentage (ages 65 and above): 30%
Total Population (in thousands): 124,516.65
It is interesting to note that Tokyo Kanto Metropolitan Area in Japan is the city with the oldest population. With 8.7 million residents aged 65 and older, seniors constitute 23% of the city’s total population. You can read more about in in our article on 20 cities with the highest elderly populations.
It’s also worth highlighting that for the first time, over 10% of Japan’s population is aged 80 or older. By 2040, those over 65 will comprise 34.8% of the population. Despite a high elderly employment rate, social security costs are rising. Japan’s birth rate is one of the lowest globally, with fewer than 800,000 babies born last year, compared to over two million in the 1970s.
1. Monaco
Population Percentage (ages 65 and above): 36%
Total Population (in thousands): 36.30
With 36% of its population aged 65 or above, Monaco is not only the country with the largest percentage of population aged 65 and up but also the country with the highest median age in the world. It is also the country with the highest life expectancy in the world, with women living an average of 93.5 years and men 85.6 years which leads to an overall average of 89.5 years. This longevity can be attributed to several key factors such as a Mediterranean diet, an active lifestyle, and a strong sense of community.
To learn about other countries with the largest oldest population, you can check out our detailed report 30 Countries With the Largest Percentage of Population Aged 65 and Up.
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