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UN DESA Population Division · Population Aged 65 and Over
Population aged 65 and over by country
What share of each country's people are 65 or older?
Of the 222 countries compared in 2023, Vatican City had the highest reading, 44.7023%, and Qatar had the lowest reading, 1.5721%. In the middle country the figure was 8.3196%. Among the 222 countries measured in every edition since 1950, the middle one moved from 4.3284% to 8.3196%.
Part ofPeople & Population
Population aged 65 and over · 2023
Context statistic
Highest of 222Vatican City
44.7023%012023 · values only
The highest and the lowest
The three countries with the highest values of 222 compared, the three with the lowest, and the highest on each continent. This statistic has no better end, so no country is shown as leading.
- 1
- 2
- 3
Lowest in 2023
Qatar1.5721%
United Arab Emirates1.6956%
Zambia1.8989%
This statistic has no better end: the two ends describe size, not success.
Highest on each continent
- Africa
Mauritius12.9416% - Americas
Puerto Rico24.2437% - AsiaJapan29.5618%
- EuropeVatican City44.7023%
- Oceania
Australia17.3840% - Every region
02Every measured country
Population aged 65 and over on a map
Each country is shaded by its value, in five groups holding the same number of countries. Hover a country for its value, or select it to open its profile. Below the map, each continent’s middle country.
Darker is a higher value. This statistic has no better end, so the shades describe size, not success.
- 1.5721–3.6234%
- 3.6265–6.3693%
- 6.3769–11.4980%
- 11.5631–17.7260%
- 18.0508–44.7023%
- No reading in 2023
- Europe
20.1597%
the middle country, of 48 measured · 49 members
Vatican City44.7023%
Kosovo9.6439%Highest and lowest reading in Europe.
- Americas
10.7977%
the middle country, of 48 measured · 48 members
Puerto Rico24.2437%
Honduras4.2927%Highest and lowest reading in Americas.
- Oceania
6.6025%
the middle country, of 21 measured · 21 members
Australia17.3840%
Nauru2.6779%Highest and lowest reading in Oceania.
- Asia
6.3687%
the middle country, of 51 measured · 52 members
Japan29.5618%Qatar1.5721%Highest and lowest reading in Asia.
- Africa
3.2135%
the middle country, of 54 measured · 55 members
Mauritius12.9416%Zambia1.8989%Highest and lowest reading in Africa.
- Every region
22 sub-regions, highest middle country first
- Southern Europe
21.3323%
the middle country, of 17 measured · 17 members
Vatican City44.7023%Kosovo9.6439%Highest and lowest reading in Southern Europe.
- Northern Europe
20.1963%
the middle country, of 12 measured · 13 members
Finland23.5779%
Iceland15.3483%Highest and lowest reading in Northern Europe.
- Western Europe
20.1626%
the middle country, of 9 measured · 9 members
Monaco36.3572%
Luxembourg15.1062%Highest and lowest reading in Western Europe.
- Eastern Europe
19.0592%
the middle country, of 10 measured · 10 members
Bulgaria21.8324%
Moldova15.6147%Highest and lowest reading in Eastern Europe.
- Eastern Asia
16.3219%
the middle country, of 8 measured · 8 members
Japan29.5618%
Mongolia4.8636%Highest and lowest reading in Eastern Asia.
- Caribbean
11.8622%
the middle country, of 24 measured · 24 members
Puerto Rico24.2437%
Haiti4.6182%Highest and lowest reading in Caribbean.
- South America
9.1631%
the middle country, of 12 measured · 12 members
Uruguay15.8128%
Bolivia5.5505%Highest and lowest reading in South America.
- Polynesia
7.5503%
the middle country, of 7 measured · 7 members
Niue15.9010%
Samoa5.7056%Highest and lowest reading in Polynesia.
- South-eastern Asia
7.0485%
the middle country, of 11 measured · 11 members
Thailand14.7183%
Laos4.5355%Highest and lowest reading in South-eastern Asia.
- Central America
6.6830%
the middle country, of 8 measured · 8 members
Costa Rica11.7188%Honduras4.2927%Highest and lowest reading in Central America.
- Southern Asia
6.3606%
the middle country, of 9 measured · 9 members
Sri Lanka11.7387%
Afghanistan2.3775%Highest and lowest reading in Southern Asia.
- Micronesia
5.7311%
the middle country, of 7 measured · 7 members
Guam12.1169%Nauru2.6779%Highest and lowest reading in Micronesia.
- Northern Africa
5.6733%
the middle country, of 6 measured · 6 members
Tunisia9.1663%
Sudan3.2117%Highest and lowest reading in Northern Africa.
- Central Asia
5.4270%
the middle country, of 5 measured · 5 members
Kazakhstan8.3082%
Tajikistan3.6501%Highest and lowest reading in Central Asia.
- Melanesia
4.2182%
the middle country, of 5 measured · 5 members
New Caledonia11.0903%
Papua New Guinea3.3483%Highest and lowest reading in Melanesia.
- Western Asia
4.0624%
the middle country, of 18 measured · 19 members
Georgia15.3175%Qatar1.5721%Highest and lowest reading in Western Asia.
- Southern Africa
3.9697%
the middle country, of 5 measured · 5 members
South Africa6.5151%
Namibia3.5712%Highest and lowest reading in Southern Africa.
- Western Africa
3.1532%
the middle country, of 16 measured · 16 members
Cabo Verde6.5795%
Mali2.4053%Highest and lowest reading in Western Africa.
- Eastern Africa
3.1073%
the middle country, of 18 measured · 19 members
Mauritius12.9416%Zambia1.8989%Highest and lowest reading in Eastern Africa.
- Middle Africa
2.9146%
the middle country, of 9 measured · 9 members
Gabon4.0418%
Chad2.0748%Highest and lowest reading in Middle Africa.
- Australia and New Zealand
2 of 2 measured — too few for a middle: Australia, New Zealand.
Australia17.3840%
New Zealand16.7986%Highest and lowest reading in Australia and New Zealand.
- Northern America
4 of 4 measured — too few for a middle: Bermuda, Canada, Greenland, United States.
Bermuda20.9118%
Greenland10.1194%Highest and lowest reading in Northern America.
03The whole field at once
The spread
222 countries, one dot each, on one scale — further right is a higher value. Half the countries are above 8.3196%; a quarter are above 16.2970%, and a quarter below 4.1254%. The bar in each row marks that continent’s middle country.
04All 222 ever measured
Every country
In order, highest value first. No rank or position is shown: too many countries share the same value for an order to mean anything. Neither end is better. The top includes very small states whose resident populations are unusual, so it is not simply a list of ageing societies. The bottom is not only the youngest countries either: where a large migrant workforce of working age is counted and its parents live elsewhere, the share aged 65 and over reads very low.
Showing 25 of 222 countries
Values for 2023. The change column compares 2023 with 2022 only; the sparkline covers the recent editions.
051950–2023 · 74 reference years
Over time
Each point is one year's estimate, 1950 to 2023, as restated by the 2024 revision. The line usually moves slowly and in one direction; a sudden step is more often migration — young workers arriving or leaving in large numbers — than a change in how long people live.
- the middle country
- the middle half of countries
- the middle of the 222 countries measured every time
- each continent’s middle country
The same, year by year
| Year | Countries | Middle country | Middle half | Measured every time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 222 | 8.3196% | 4.1254% – 16.2970% | 8.3196% |
| 2022 | 222 | 7.9235% | 4.0152% – 15.7901% | 7.9235% |
| 2021 | 222 | 7.7631% | 3.8957% – 15.4487% | 7.7631% |
| 2020 | 222 | 7.5645% | 3.8788% – 15.2262% | 7.5645% |
| 2019 | 222 | 7.3501% | 3.8024% – 14.9736% | 7.3501% |
| 2018 | 222 | 7.1694% | 3.7503% – 14.3720% | 7.1694% |
| 2017 | 222 | 6.9847% | 3.6562% – 14.1864% | 6.9847% |
| 2016 | 222 | 6.7686% | 3.5958% – 13.8959% | 6.7686% |
| 2015 | 222 | 6.5880% | 3.5622% – 13.5019% | 6.5880% |
| 2014 | 222 | 6.3991% | 3.5557% – 13.1079% | 6.3991% |
| 2013 | 222 | 6.2705% | 3.5512% – 12.8504% | 6.2705% |
| 2012 | 222 | 6.0652% | 3.5677% – 12.7044% | 6.0652% |
| 2011 | 222 | 5.9526% | 3.4750% – 12.4637% | 5.9526% |
| 2010 | 222 | 5.8641% | 3.4396% – 12.3697% | 5.8641% |
| 2009 | 222 | 5.7673% | 3.4057% – 12.1647% | 5.7673% |
| 2008 | 222 | 5.7160% | 3.4112% – 11.9316% | 5.7160% |
| 2007 | 222 | 5.5755% | 3.3876% – 11.6407% | 5.5755% |
| 2006 | 222 | 5.4028% | 3.4162% – 11.4195% | 5.4028% |
| 2005 | 222 | 5.3941% | 3.3757% – 11.1453% | 5.3941% |
| 2004 | 222 | 5.3934% | 3.3389% – 11.0262% | 5.3934% |
| 2003 | 222 | 5.2997% | 3.3016% – 10.8476% | 5.2997% |
| 2002 | 222 | 5.1242% | 3.2979% – 10.6251% | 5.1242% |
| 2001 | 222 | 4.9991% | 3.2718% – 10.4433% | 4.9991% |
| 2000 | 222 | 4.9344% | 3.2412% – 10.3505% | 4.9344% |
| 1999 | 222 | 4.8758% | 3.2249% – 10.2926% | 4.8758% |
| 1998 | 222 | 4.7940% | 3.2340% – 10.0414% | 4.7940% |
| 1997 | 222 | 4.7418% | 3.2459% – 9.7965% | 4.7418% |
| 1996 | 222 | 4.6573% | 3.2379% – 9.7865% | 4.6573% |
| 1995 | 222 | 4.5660% | 3.2198% – 9.6567% | 4.5660% |
| 1994 | 222 | 4.4431% | 3.2237% – 9.5126% | 4.4431% |
| 1993 | 222 | 4.3339% | 3.2141% – 9.2926% | 4.3339% |
| 1992 | 222 | 4.2360% | 3.1144% – 9.2279% | 4.2360% |
| 1991 | 222 | 4.1706% | 3.1304% – 9.1076% | 4.1706% |
| 1990 | 222 | 4.1324% | 3.1250% – 9.0019% | 4.1324% |
| 1989 | 222 | 4.0896% | 3.1403% – 9.0358% | 4.0896% |
| 1988 | 222 | 4.1077% | 3.1481% – 8.8742% | 4.1077% |
| 1987 | 222 | 4.1282% | 3.1105% – 8.6847% | 4.1282% |
| 1986 | 222 | 4.1286% | 3.1331% – 8.6240% | 4.1286% |
| 1985 | 222 | 4.1388% | 3.1554% – 8.6400% | 4.1388% |
| 1984 | 222 | 4.1188% | 3.1596% – 8.5821% | 4.1188% |
| 1983 | 222 | 4.1202% | 3.1499% – 8.3569% | 4.1202% |
| 1982 | 222 | 4.1804% | 3.1425% – 8.1206% | 4.1804% |
| 1981 | 222 | 4.1449% | 3.1515% – 7.9643% | 4.1449% |
| 1980 | 222 | 4.1486% | 3.1526% – 7.9178% | 4.1486% |
| 1979 | 222 | 4.1409% | 3.1542% – 7.9706% | 4.1409% |
| 1978 | 222 | 4.1377% | 3.1249% – 7.8328% | 4.1377% |
| 1977 | 222 | 4.0798% | 3.1321% – 7.6756% | 4.0798% |
| 1976 | 222 | 4.0477% | 3.1224% – 7.5143% | 4.0477% |
| 1975 | 222 | 4.0340% | 3.0894% – 7.3756% | 4.0340% |
| 1974 | 222 | 4.0398% | 3.0353% – 7.3067% | 4.0398% |
| 1973 | 222 | 4.0409% | 3.0156% – 7.1445% | 4.0409% |
| 1972 | 222 | 3.9638% | 3.0135% – 6.9801% | 3.9638% |
| 1971 | 222 | 4.0192% | 3.0274% – 6.7748% | 4.0192% |
| 1970 | 222 | 4.0010% | 3.0327% – 6.8257% | 4.0010% |
| 1969 | 222 | 4.0131% | 3.0239% – 6.7040% | 4.0131% |
| 1968 | 222 | 4.0405% | 2.9850% – 6.4834% | 4.0405% |
| 1967 | 222 | 4.0157% | 2.9936% – 6.2661% | 4.0157% |
| 1966 | 222 | 4.0026% | 2.9673% – 6.0630% | 4.0026% |
| 1965 | 222 | 3.9826% | 2.9939% – 5.8845% | 3.9826% |
| 1964 | 222 | 3.9770% | 3.0023% – 5.7628% | 3.9770% |
| 1963 | 222 | 3.9460% | 2.9909% – 5.7801% | 3.9460% |
| 1962 | 222 | 3.9396% | 3.0369% – 5.9239% | 3.9396% |
| 1961 | 222 | 3.9523% | 3.0142% – 5.9143% | 3.9523% |
| 1960 | 222 | 3.9731% | 3.0078% – 5.9483% | 3.9731% |
| 1959 | 222 | 4.0414% | 3.0384% – 6.0018% | 4.0414% |
| 1958 | 222 | 4.0576% | 3.0654% – 6.0667% | 4.0576% |
| 1957 | 222 | 4.0573% | 3.0590% – 6.1488% | 4.0573% |
| 1956 | 222 | 4.1188% | 3.0793% – 6.2176% | 4.1188% |
| 1955 | 222 | 4.1270% | 3.0884% – 6.3777% | 4.1270% |
| 1954 | 222 | 4.1500% | 3.1063% – 6.5357% | 4.1500% |
| 1953 | 222 | 4.1743% | 3.1443% – 6.6708% | 4.1743% |
| 1952 | 222 | 4.2245% | 3.1452% – 6.7925% | 4.2245% |
| 1951 | 222 | 4.3072% | 3.1377% – 6.9328% | 4.3072% |
| 1950 | 222 | 4.3284% | 3.1397% – 7.0873% | 4.3284% |
062022 → 2023
Who rose and fell
The biggest changes in value between the two newest editions — reference years recalculated in one report, not two separate publications. Places are shown second, because they also move when other countries do.
Rose most
before → after
Hong Kong20.6844% → 21.6453%+0.9608
Northern Mariana Islands7.7803% → 8.7334%+0.9531
Saint Martin16.3454% → 17.2037%+0.8583
South Korea17.4846% → 18.3350%+0.8504
Cook Islands12.0420% → 12.8568%+0.8149
Fell most
before → after- Monaco37.0612% → 36.3572%−0.7040
- Vatican City45.1135% → 44.7023%−0.4112
Timor-Leste5.4053% → 5.3342%−0.0711
Faroe Islands17.7927% → 17.7260%−0.0667
Central African Republic2.1437% → 2.0953%−0.0484
222 countries were measured in both 2022 and 2023.
07Across every edition
Population aged 65 and over in records
The extremes of the statistic. A record reached by more than one country names none of them.
Highest reading on record
48.5395%
Share of the total population aged 65 and over (%)
Lowest reading on record
0.8309%
Share of the total population aged 65 and over (%)
Biggest rise between editions
+5.9312
10.2785% → 16.2097%
Biggest fall between editions
−2.2876
18.1432% → 15.8556%
Biggest change since first measured
+41.3500
3.3523% → 44.7023%
Highest most often
47 of 74
editions, alone at the first-listed end
08The measure
About population aged 65 and over
The share of a country's population aged 65 and over is the most common single measure of how far a population has aged. It shapes the demand for pensions, health care and long-term care, and it rises almost everywhere as people live longer and have fewer children.
What the number is: Share of the total population aged 65 and over (%).
What it does not measure
It counts ages, not health or need: it says nothing about how many older people work, live independently or need care.
09Where it fits
Connections
Its part in the Country Index, the statistics whose values line up most closely with it across countries, and others on the same subject.
In the Country Index
Context, with no vote
This statistic is published in full under People & Population, but does not help decide any Country Index standing.
Moves with
Where population aged 65 and over is higher, these tend to be higher too.
- Median Age of the PopulationUN DESA Population Division · 222 countries in commonρ 0.94
- Inequality-adjusted Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 169 countries in commonρ 0.87
- GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 102 countries in commonρ 0.86
Moves against
Where population aged 65 and over is higher, these tend to be lower.
- Population Under Age 15UN DESA Population Division · 222 countries in commonρ −0.89
- Crude Birth RateUN DESA Population Division · 222 countries in commonρ −0.89
- Gender Social Norms IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 80 countries in commonρ −0.84
Rank correlation (ρ, from −1 to 1) across countries, on each statistic’s newest edition, out of 190 statistics sharing at least 80 countries with this one. Two statistics that move together do not cause each other.
10Keep reading
Explore further
The subject
The countries at either end
11Questions
Population aged 65 and over: questions and answers
Which country has the highest population aged 65 and over?
Vatican City, at 44.7023%, among the 222 countries compared in 2023.
Which country has the lowest population aged 65 and over?
Qatar, at 1.5721%, among the 222 countries compared in 2023.
How many countries does the Population Aged 65 and Over cover?
222 in 2023.
What is the world average population aged 65 and over?
This site does not calculate a world average, which would depend on how countries are weighted. In the middle country of the 222 compared in 2023, the figure was 8.3196%.
Is this UN DESA Population Division’s own ranking?
No ranking is shown. UN DESA Population Division publishes values only, and too many countries share the same value for an ordering to mean anything, so none is derived.
How often is the Population Aged 65 and Over published?
This site holds 74 reference years, 1950–2023, all recalculated in UN DESA Population Division’s 2024 report on one method — not 74 separate publications.
Where does the data come from, and can I download it?
From UN DESA Population Division, under CC BY 3.0 IGO. From World Population Prospects 2024, read from the Population Division's own workbook of age-group shares (POP/F06-1), which publishes the share directly at full precision — not rebuilt by adding up the rounded five-year age groups in the CSV files. Projections are excluded. Every edition is on this site’s Datasets pages as a full table, and downloads as a CSV file with every value unrounded.
12Method
Sources, method and citation
Source
Population Aged 65 and Over — UN DESA Population Division
From World Population Prospects 2024, read from the Population Division's own workbook of age-group shares (POP/F06-1), which publishes the share directly at full precision — not rebuilt by adding up the rounded five-year age groups in the CSV files. Projections are excluded.
Newest edition
Report year 2023Data year 2023
Cite the source as: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2024). World Population Prospects 2024, Online Edition.
Licence: CC BY 3.0 IGO, checked 2026-09-26.
How this page reads the numbers
- No rank or position is shown: UN DESA Population Division publishes values only, and too many countries share the same value for an ordering to mean anything.
- This statistic has no better end, so the page describes higher and lower values and never calls a country a leader.
- A country is named at an end only when it holds that value alone. Where several share it, the page says how many and names none first.
- Values are stored exactly as published and trimmed only for display. “The middle country” is the median of the countries measured, not a world average.
The file itself, column by column — where it came from, what each column holds, and every edition as a CSV — is on its dataset page.
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Population aged 65 and over by country: Population Aged 65 and Over, data from UN DESA Population Division. https://nationsinquiry.com/statistics/population-65-plus