Global life expectancy is rising, definition a greater percent of the world's community is older adults.
However, not all nation has informed this elder surge equally.
The World Bank Group compiled data on the percent of the community old 65 or older for all nation in 2025, using data from the United Nations.
Business Insider rounded all percent to one decimal location and excluded non-countries. The data, for example, showed sizable older populations in territories specified as Puerto Rico and particular administrative regions specified as Hong Kong.
We additionally included data on the percentages of the masculine and female populations old 65 and older — additionally 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 lone non-European admission in the top 25.
In the US, which ranks 39th whenever excluding non-countries, 18.4% of the community is 65 and older.
A 2025 study by Brown University established that Europeans are additional apt to live longer than Americans, despite of prosperity level. The study's author, health economist Irene Papanicolas, stated systemic issues in the US, specified as "economic inequality or hazard factors akin stress, diet, or ecological hazards," contribute to lesser existence expectancy.
See the 25 countries alongside the highest percent of elders in their populations, listed from No. 25 to No. 1.
25. In the Netherlands, 20.9% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 19.6%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 22.1%
24. In Sweden, 20.9% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 19.5%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 22.4%
23. In Belgium, 21.0% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 19.1%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 22.8%
22. In Austria, 21.1% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 18.9%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 23.2%
21. In Denmark, 21.1% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 19.6%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 22.6%
20. In Hungary, 21.2% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 17.0%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 25.0%
19. In Czechia, 21.2% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 18.2%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 24.1%
18. In Liechtenstein, 21.4% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 20.1%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 22.7%
17. In Spain, 21.6% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 19.3%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 23.9%
16. In Estonia, 21.8% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 16.4%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 26.7%
15. In Latvia, 22.2% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 16.4%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 27.2%
14. In Slovenia, 22.2% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 19.5%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 25.0%
13. In Bulgaria, 22.2% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 18.3%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 26.0%
12. In France, 22.5% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 20.2%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 24.7%
11. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, 22.9% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 18.5%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 26.8%
10. In Serbia, 23.1% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 20.1%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 25.8%
9. In San Marino, 23.1% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 21.9%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 24.3%
8. In Croatia, 23.6% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 20.1%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 26.9%
7. In Germany, 23.7% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 21.3%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 26.0%
6. In Finland, 24.2% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 21.7%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 26.6%
5. In Greece, 24.4% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 21.8%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 26.9%
4. In Portugal, 24.9% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 22.4%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 27.2%
3. In Italy, 25.1% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 22.7%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 27.4%
2. In Japan, 30.0% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 27.1%
Percentage of the female community old 65 and older: 32.8%
1. In Monaco, 36.0% of the community is old 65 and older.
Percentage of the masculine community old 65 and older: 34.9%
Percentage of the female community old 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 civilization for Business Insider and partners, including MSN, Apple News, and Yahoo.He earlier wrote for New Jersey Monthly Magazine, covering manner and civilization content. He graduated from Ramapo College of New Jersey in 2024 alongside a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts.Selected Articles:
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Roya is a newsman on Business Insider's Editorial Partnerships team. She is based in London. Before joining Business Insider, she worked as a newsman at financial newswire Alliance News and was an intern at The Wall Street Journal. Roya graduated from City St George's, University of London alongside an MA in International Journalism.
