World Bank Data Reveals Top 25 Countries with Oldest Populations

According to 2024 data from the World Bank Group, European nations dominate the list of countries with the highest shares of residents aged 65 and older. The analysis identifies the top 25 countries, revealing that Japan is the only non-European nation in this group. Italy holds the third-highest percentage globally, while other notable entries include the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Liechtenstein, Sweden, and Czechia, with elderly population shares ranging from approximately 20.5% to higher figures. In contrast, the United States ranks 39th, with 18% of its population aged 65 or older, which exceeds the global average of 10% but remains significantly lower than the leading nations. A related study by Brown University highlights that Europeans tend to live longer than Americans due to systemic issues in the US, such as economic inequality and environmental hazards. This demographic shift underscores the varying impacts of rising global life expectancy across different regions, with Europe facing the most pronounced aging trends. The report excludes territories like Puerto Rico and regions like Hong Kong, focusing strictly on sovereign states to provide a clear comparison of national demographic structures.