Global life expectancy is on the rise, meaning a greater percentage of the population than ever before is made up of the elderly.
But not every country has experienced this elder boom equally.
The World Bank Group gathered data in 2024 on the percentages of populations aged 65 or older in different countries. The data overwhelmingly indicated that European countries have the most elders in their populations per capita. Japan was the only non-European entry in the top 25 countries.
In the United States, which came 39th in the data, 18% of the population is 65 and older. While this outpaces the global population's percentage of 10%, it is significantly lower than the countries with the highest percentages.
A 2025 study by Brown University also found that Europeans are more likely to live longer than Americans, regardless of wealth level. The study's author, health economist Irene Papanicolas, said systemic issues in the US, such as "economic inequality or risk factors like stress, diet or environmental hazards" contribute to lower life expectancy.
Using the World Bank Group report, which drew on figures from the United Nations Population Division, we listed the top 25 countries with the largest percentages of the population aged 65 and older. The data also indicated significant elderly populations in territories such as Puerto Rico and regions such as Hong Kong, but we have only included countries.
See the 25 countries with the highest percentage of elders in their populations, listed from No. 25 to No. 1.
25. In the Netherlands, 20.50% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In the Netherlands, 19% of men are 65 and older, while 22% of women are 65 and older.
24. In Belgium, 20.56% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Belgium, 19% of men and 22% of women are 65 and older.
23. In Austria, 20.61% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Among men in Austria, 18% are 65 and older, while 23% of women are 65 and older.
22. In Liechtenstein, 20.73% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Liechtenstein, 19% of men are 65 and older, while 22% of women are.
21. In Sweden, 20.75% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Sweden, 19% of men and 22% of women are 65 and older.
20. In Czechia, 20.85% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Czechia, 18% of men are 65 and older, while 24% of women are.
19. In Denmark, 20.87% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Among men in Denmark, 19% are 65 and older, while 22% of women are 65 and older.
18. In Hungary, 20.99% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Hungary, 17% of men and 25% of women are aged 65 and older.
17. In Spain, 21.15% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Spain, 19% of men are 65 and older, while 23% of women are 65 and older.
16. In Estonia, 21.30% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Estonia, 16% of men are 65 and older, while 26% of women are 65 and older.
15. In Latvia, 21.41% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Latvia, 16% of men and 27% of women are 65 and older.
14. In Slovenia, 21.77% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Slovenia, 19% of men and 25% of women are 65 and older.
13. In Bulgaria, 22.03% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Bulgaria, 18% of men are 65 and older, while 26% of women are 65 and older.
12. In France, 22.15% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In France, 20% of men and 24% of women are 65 and older.
11. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 22.23% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Among men in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 18% are 65 and older, while 26% of women are 65 and older.
10. In San Marino, 22.41% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In San Marino, which has a population of just 35,000 residents, according to 2026 US Census estimates, 21% of men are 65 and older, while 24% of women are 65 and older.
9. In Serbia, 22.69% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Serbia, 20% of men and 25% of women are aged 65 and older.
8. In Croatia, 23.19% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Croatia, 20% of men and 26% of women are 65 and older.
7. In Germany, 23.20% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Germany, 21% of men and 25% of women are 65 and older.
6. In Finland, 23.90% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Finland, 21% of men are 65 and older, while 26% of women are 65 and older.
5. In Greece, 23.94% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Greece, 21% of men are aged 65 and older, while 26% of women are.
4. In Portugal, 24.53% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Portugal, 22% of men and 27% of women are 65 and older.
3. In Italy, 24.62% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Italy, 22% of men and 27% of women are 65 and older.
2. In Japan, 29.78% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Japan, 27% of men are 65 and older, while 33% of women are 65 and older.
1. In Monaco, 36.17% of the population is aged 65 and older.
In Monaco, which has an estimated population of just 38,000 residents in 2026, 35% of men are 65 and older, while 37% of women are 65 and older.
