In this article, we will take a look at the 5 fastest aging countries in the world. If you want to read our discussion on the aging trends, you can go directly to the 15 Fastest Aging Countries in the World.
5. Greece
Demographic Old Age to Working Age Ratio: 70.7
Greece ranks among the fastest aging countries in the European Union. In 1951, only 6.8% of the Greek population was over 65 years old. By 2020, this number had skyrocketed to 22.28%, making Greece the fifth country in the EU with the largest elderly population. Since 2004, the proportion of working-age residents in Greece (aged 15-64) has remained fairly steady at around 67%, according to the World Bank.
4. Spain
Demographic Old Age to Working Age Ratio: 77.2
Spain is a Southwestern European country. Spain has experienced one of the fastest demographic aging in the past 10 years, with the median age rising by 3.9 years between 2012 (40.8 years) and 2021 (44.7 years). The number of seniors in the country has increased by six million since 2023, reaching 9.68 million. This dramatic increase signifies Spain as a country with a growing elderly population.
3. Italy
Demographic Old Age to Working Age Ratio: 78.1
Italy is at the third position on our list of the fastest aging countries in the world. In 2022, Italy had 37 people over the age of 65 for every 100 working-age citizens (15-64 years old), and this ratio is expected to climb to 65 by 2050. Eurostat data confirms Italy’s position as the EU’s oldest country, with a median age exceeding 48. Italy, along with Portugal, holds the highest proportion of residents above 65 at 24%, signifying nearly a quarter of the population.
2. Japan
Demographic Old Age to Working Age Ratio: 80.0
With over one in ten people now exceeding 80 years old, Japan holds the world record for the oldest population. Recent data reveals that 29.1% of the country’s 125 million inhabitants are 65 or older, translating to roughly 36.23 million people. This trend is likely to continue due to a combination of low birth rates and a high life expectancy. Japan is at the second position on our list of the fastest aging countries in the world.
1. South Korea
Demographic Old Age to Working Age Ratio: 82.3
South Korea faces a rapidly aging population with one of the world’s lowest birth rates. By 2025, the country is projected to become a “super-aged society,” where over 20% of the population will be 65 or older. This trend is evident in the 2022 data, showing a significant working-age population (70.94% between 15 and 64) alongside a growing elderly population (17.49% above 64).
Insider Monkey focuses on uncovering the best investment ideas of hedge funds and insiders. Please subscribe to our free daily enewsletter to get the latest investment ideas from hedge funds’ investor letters by entering your email address below. You can also take a peek at 11 Oversold MidCap Stocks To Buy Now and 10 Best Consumer Discretionary Dividend Stocks To Buy According to Analysts.
