World Bank Group data pinpoints countries with the largest shares of residents aged 65 and older.
Proportions of older adults differ widely by region around the globe.
Japan stands out as the sole non-European nation in the top 25.

Life expectancy across the globe keeps climbing, swelling the ranks of elderly people within national populations to record levels.

Still, this surge in aging varies sharply from one nation to the next.

World Bank Group statistics from 2024 reveal the share of each country's population aged 65 or older, with Europe dominating the rankings. Japan is the lone non-European contender in the top 25.

In the United States, ranking 39th, 18% of people are 65 and older - better than the worldwide average of 10%, yet far behind the frontrunners.

A 2025 Brown University analysis showed Europeans tend to outlive Americans irrespective of income. Lead researcher Irene Papanicolas, a health economist, pointed to U.S. challenges like economic disparities and lifestyle risks including stress, poor nutrition, and pollution.

This ranking draws from World Bank figures sourced from the United Nations Population Division, focusing solely on sovereign countries while excluding areas like Puerto Rico or Hong Kong despite their high elderly shares.

Here are the top 25 countries by percentage of population aged 65 and older, countdown style from No. 25 to No. 1.

25. In the Netherlands, 20.50% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Among Dutch men, 19% have reached 65 or beyond, compared to 22% of women.

24. In Belgium, 20.56% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Belgian men account for 19% in the 65-plus group, with women at 22%.

23. In Austria, 20.61% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Austrian males represent 18% of those 65 and older, while females make up 23%.

22. In Liechtenstein, 20.73% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Liechtenstein sees 19% of its men aged 65 and older, alongside 22% of women.

21. In Sweden, 20.75% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Swedish men comprise 19% of the over-65 cohort, matched by 22% of women.

20. In Czechia, 20.85% of the population is aged 65 and older.

In Czechia, 18% of men are 65 or older, rising to 24% for women.

19. In Denmark, 20.87% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Danish men form 19% of those aged 65 and up, with women at 22%.

18. In Hungary, 20.99% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Hungarian men number 17% among the elderly, while women reach 25%.

17. In Spain, 21.15% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Spain has 19% of men aged 65 and older, versus 23% of women.

16. In Estonia, 21.30% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Estonian men account for 16% of the 65-plus population, compared to 26% of women.

15. In Latvia, 21.41% of the population is aged 65 and older.

In Latvia, men represent 16% and women 27% of those aged 65 and older.

14. In Slovenia, 21.77% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Slovenia counts 19% of men and 25% of women in the over-65 demographic.

13. In Bulgaria, 22.03% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Bulgarian men make up 18% of seniors aged 65+, with women at 26%.

12. In France, 22.15% of the population is aged 65 and older.

In France, 20% of men and 24% of women have passed age 65.

11. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 22.23% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Men in Bosnia and Herzegovina comprise 18% of the 65 and older group, while women are 26%.

10. In San Marino, 22.41% of the population is aged 65 and older.

San Marino, home to roughly 35,000 people per 2026 U.S. Census projections, has 21% of men and 24% of women aged 65 and older.

9. In Serbia, 22.69% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Serbian men form 20% of those 65+, with women at 25%.

8. In Croatia, 23.19% of the population is aged 65 and older.

Croatia features 20% of men and 26% of women aged 65 and older.

7. In Germany, 23.20% of the population is aged 65 and older.

German men account for 21% and women 25% of the population aged 65 and older.

6. In Finland, 23.90% of the population is aged 65 and older.

In Finland, 21% of men and 26% of women are 65 years or older.