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Global life expectancy is rising, meaning a greater percentage of the world's population is older adults.
However, not every country has experienced this elder boom equally.
The World Bank Group compiled data on the percentage of the population aged 65 or older for each country in 2025, using data from the United Nations.
Business Insider rounded each percentage to one decimal place and excluded non-countries. The data, for example, showed sizable older populations in territories such as Puerto Rico and special administrative regions such as Hong Kong.
We also included data on the percentages of the male and female populations aged 65 and older — also compiled from the World Bank Group.
The data overwhelmingly indicates that European countries have the highest numbers of older adults per capita. Japan is the only non-European entry in the top 25.
In the US, which ranks 39th when excluding non-countries, 18.4% of the population is 65 and older.
A 2025 study by Brown University 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.
See the 25 countries with the highest percentage of elders in their populations, listed from No. 25 to No. 1.
25. In the Netherlands, 20.9% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 19.6%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 22.1%
24. In Sweden, 20.9% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 19.5%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 22.4%
23. In Belgium, 21.0% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 19.1%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 22.8%
22. In Austria, 21.1% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 18.9%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 23.2%
21. In Denmark, 21.1% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 19.6%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 22.6%
20. In Hungary, 21.2% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 17.0%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 25.0%
19. In Czechia, 21.2% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 18.2%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 24.1%
18. In Liechtenstein, 21.4% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 20.1%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 22.7%
17. In Spain, 21.6% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 19.3%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 23.9%
16. In Estonia, 21.8% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 16.4%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 26.7%
15. In Latvia, 22.2% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 16.4%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 27.2%
14. In Slovenia, 22.2% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 19.5%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 25.0%
13. In Bulgaria, 22.2% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 18.3%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 26.0%
12. In France, 22.5% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 20.2%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 24.7%
11. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 22.9% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 18.5%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 26.8%
10. In Serbia, 23.1% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 20.1%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 25.8%
9. In San Marino, 23.1% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 21.9%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 24.3%
8. In Croatia, 23.6% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 20.1%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 26.9%
7. In Germany, 23.7% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 21.3%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 26.0%
6. In Finland, 24.2% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 21.7%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 26.6%
5. In Greece, 24.4% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 21.8%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 26.9%
4. In Portugal, 24.9% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 22.4%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 27.2%
3. In Italy, 25.1% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 22.7%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 27.4%
2. In Japan, 30.0% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 27.1%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 32.8%
1. In Monaco, 36.0% of the population is aged 65 and older.
Percentage of the male population aged 65 and older: 34.9%
Percentage of the female population aged 65 and older: 37.1%
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James LaForge was a Life Fellow on Business Insider's Editorial Partnerships team. He has covered history, lifestyle, and culture for Business Insider and partners, including MSN, Apple News, and Yahoo.He previously wrote for New Jersey Monthly Magazine, covering lifestyle and culture content. He graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts.Selected Articles:
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Roya is a reporter on Business Insider's Editorial Partnerships team. She is based in London. Before joining Business Insider, she worked as a reporter at financial newswire Alliance News and was an intern at The Wall Street Journal. Roya graduated from City St George's, University of London with an MA in International Journalism.
