This Ultra-Rich Country is Aging Fast, and It’s a Problem

In any given country, an aging population often means workers will be retiring faster than job vacancies can be filled by those entering the labor force. As retirement-age populations grow, health care and pension systems are strained — not only by rising demand for benefits and services, but also by the smaller pool of workers paying into social safety net programs.

Using data from the World Bank, 24/7 Wall St. identified the countries that are aging the fastest. Countries are ranked on the percentage point change in the share of the population aged 65 and up between 2003 to 2022. Data on median age by country is from the CIA World Factbook and is for the most recent available year. All other supplementary data is from the World Bank and is also for the most recent available year.

Why It Matters

Demographic trends, like an aging population, can have far-reaching consequences. In any given country, more older residents can mean fewer people to fill essential jobs, and fewer workers to support a growing number of retirees. The problem is expected to get worse before it gets better. There were over 700 million people aged 65 and older worldwide in 2020, and according to U.N. estimates, that number is expected to double by mid-century.

31. United States

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +4.9 ppt. (12.3% in 2003, 17.1% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 57,085,895 (+60.3% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 76.3 years
• Median age in 2022: 38.9 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.7 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $76,330
• Region: North America

30. Italy

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +4.9 ppt. (19.1% in 2003, 24.1% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 14,177,282 (+29.3% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.8 years
• Median age in 2024: 48.4 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.3 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $34,776
• Region: Europe

29. Barbados

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.0 ppt. (11.3% in 2003, 16.3% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 45,840 (+51.3% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 77.6 years
• Median age in 2024: 41.4 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $20,239
• Region: Central America and the Caribbean

28. Bulgaria

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.0 ppt. (17.4% in 2003, 22.4% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 1,446,752 (+7.0% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 71.5 years
• Median age in 2024: 45.1 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $13,974
• Region: Europe

27. Greece

Lady sitting in front of Parthenon on Acropolis, Athens, Greece (BY 2.0) by Kristoffer Trolle

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.0 ppt. (17.8% in 2003, 22.8% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 2,379,620 (+22.2% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 80.2 years
• Median age in 2024: 46.5 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.4 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $20,867
• Region: Europe

26. Cuba

Cuba (BY-SA 2.0) by szeke

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.2 ppt. (10.6% in 2003, 15.8% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 1,772,517 (+49.1% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 73.7 years
• Median age in 2024: 42.6 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.4 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $9,500
• Region: Central America and the Caribbean

25. France

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.2 ppt. (16.4% in 2003, 21.7% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 14,721,512 (+44.0% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.3 years
• Median age in 2024: 42.6 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.8 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $40,886
• Region: Europe

24. Latvia

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.4 ppt. (16.5% in 2003, 21.9% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 410,757 (+8.8% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 73.3 years
• Median age in 2024: 45.5 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $21,780
• Region: Europe

23. Lithuania

Klaipeda, Lithuania (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Jessica Gardner

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.4 ppt. (15.4% in 2003, 20.8% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 588,872 (+12.0% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 74.3 years
• Median age in 2024: 45.1 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.3 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $25,065
• Region: Europe

22. Slovak Republic

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.5 ppt. (11.5% in 2003, 17.0% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 922,176 (+49.2% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 74.7 years
• Median age in 2024: 42.8 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $21,257
• Region: Europe

21. Malta

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.5 ppt. (13.6% in 2003, 19.1% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 101,593 (+87.6% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.9 years
• Median age in 2024: 43.5 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.1 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $34,128
• Region: Europe

20. Denmark

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.6 ppt. (14.9% in 2003, 20.5% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 1,209,352 (+50.8% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.4 years
• Median age in 2024: 42.2 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.7 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $67,790
• Region: Europe

19. Croatia

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.7 ppt. (16.7% in 2003, 22.4% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 861,950 (+20.2% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 76.4 years
• Median age in 2024: 45.1 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $18,570
• Region: Europe

18. Bosnia and Herzegovina

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.7 ppt. (12.7% in 2003, 18.4% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 594,962 (+12.4% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 75.3 years
• Median age in 2024: 44.8 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.4 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $7,569
• Region: Europe

17. Poland

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.8 ppt. (12.8% in 2003, 18.6% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 6,832,114 (+40.2% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 75.6 years
• Median age in 2024: 42.9 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.3 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $18,688
• Region: Europe

16. Portugal

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +5.9 ppt. (17.0% in 2003, 22.9% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 2,383,516 (+34.4% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.1 years
• Median age in 2024: 46.4 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.4 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $24,515
• Region: Europe

15. Trinidad and Tobago

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +6.0 ppt. (5.5% in 2003, 11.5% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 176,309 (+135.2% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 73.0 years
• Median age in 2024: 38.5 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $19,629
• Region: Central America and the Caribbean

14. Slovenia

Ljubljana, Slovenia (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Pedro Szekely

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +6.2 ppt. (14.8% in 2003, 21.0% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 442,654 (+50.3% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 80.9 years
• Median age in 2024: 46.3 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $28,439
• Region: Europe

13. China

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +6.2 ppt. (7.5% in 2003, 13.7% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 193,783,391 (+100.5% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 78.2 years
• Median age in 2024: 40.2 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.2 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $12,720
• Region: East and Southeast Asia

12. Mauritius

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +6.3 ppt. (6.5% in 2003, 12.8% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 161,507 (+103.7% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 73.7 years
• Median age in 2024: 39.6 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.4 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $10,256
• Region: Africa

11. Canada

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +6.3 ppt. (12.8% in 2003, 19.0% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 7,410,039 (+83.6% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.6 years
• Median age in 2024: 42.6 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.4 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $55,522
• Region: North America

10. Netherlands

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +6.5 ppt. (13.9% in 2003, 20.3% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 3,595,905 (+60.0% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.5 years
• Median age in 2024: 42.2 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.6 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $57,025
• Region: Europe

9. Czechia

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +6.8 ppt. (13.8% in 2003, 20.6% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 2,203,094 (+56.1% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 77.4 years
• Median age in 2024: 44.2 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.8 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $27,227
• Region: Europe

8. Albania

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +7.8 ppt. (8.9% in 2003, 16.7% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 462,629 (+71.0% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 76.5 years
• Median age in 2024: 36.3 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.4 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $6,810
• Region: Europe

7. Finland

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +7.8 ppt. (15.5% in 2003, 23.3% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 1,293,168 (+60.5% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.9 years
• Median age in 2024: 43.3 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.5 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $50,872
• Region: Europe

6. Singapore

Singapore (CC BY 2.0) by Fabio Achilli

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +8.3 ppt. (6.9% in 2003, 15.1% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 852,166 (+201.8% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 83.4 years
• Median age in 2024: 39.4 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.1 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $82,808
• Region: East and Southeast Asia

5. Thailand

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +8.3 ppt. (6.9% in 2003, 15.2% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 10,906,792 (+143.6% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 78.7 years
• Median age in 2024: 41.5 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.3 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $6,910
• Region: East and Southeast Asia

4. Liechtenstein

Up in the hills. (CC BY 2.0) by young shanahan

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +8.6 ppt. (10.7% in 2003, 19.4% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 7,616 (+109.0% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 84.4 years
• Median age in 2024: 44.2 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.5 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $197,505
• Region: Europe

3. South Korea

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +9.2 ppt. (8.3% in 2003, 17.5% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 9,030,344 (+128.2% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 83.5 years
• Median age in 2024: 45.5 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 0.8 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $32,423
• Region: East and Southeast Asia

2. Japan

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +10.4 ppt. (19.6% in 2003, 29.9% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 37,443,104 (+49.8% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 84.4 years
• Median age in 2024: 49.9 years
• Fertility rate: Avg. of 1.3 children per woman over lifetime
• GDP per capita: $34,017
• Region: East and Southeast Asia

1. Monaco

• 20-yr. change in pct. of pop. aged 65+: +13.3 ppt. (22.6% in 2003, 35.9% in 2022)
• 65 and older population in 2022: 13,099 (+79.5% from 2003)
• Avg. life expectancy at birth: N/A
• Median age in 2024: 56.9 years
• Fertility rate: N/A
• GDP per capita: $240,862
• Region: Europe