Oldest Populations by Country 2024

About This Dataset

This chart ranks countries by the share of their population aged 65 and over in 2024, the standard measure of population ageing. It reflects decades of falling birth rates combined with rising life expectancy.

✨ AI Insight

Monaco leads with 36.2% of its population aged 65 or over, more than six points clear of Japan on 29.8%, though Monaco's figure is distorted by wealthy retirees relocating there rather than by domestic demographics. Japan is the meaningful leader: no other large nation comes close, and nearly three in ten Japanese are now past retirement age. Southern Europe follows closely, with Italy on 24.6%, Portugal on 24.5% and Greece on 23.9%, a cluster produced by some of the lowest birth rates on Earth combined with long lifespans. Germany at 23.2% is the only major economy outside Asia and the Mediterranean in the top ten. Every country listed exceeds 23%, roughly triple the global average.

Source: World Bank (UN Population Division)

Key Findings

Auto-computed highlights from this dataset

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Monaco leads with 36 in 2024.

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Average value in 2024: 26 · median: 24.

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Gap in 2024: Monaco is 1.6× larger than Isle of Man.