The Healthiest Countries for Aging
- New study reveals that the healthiest country to age in is Japan, receiving the maximum score of 100, which reflects high quality of life, good healthcare and affordable living.
- The Netherlands ranks second with a life expectancy of 82.3 years.
- Portugal stands out with the best climate, getting an index of 97.6.
A recent study by Casino of the Kings analyzed 200 countries to identify the ones that are the healthiest to age in. The study takes into account life expectancy, age dependency, quality of life, safety, healthcare as well as climate index and happiness ranking. All of these criteria were analyzed to calculate the composite score, by which countries are ranked. The data is taken from open reports by the World Health Organization, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and Worldometer.
| Country | Life Expectancy (both sexes) | Age dependency ratio, old (% of working-age population) | Happiest Countries Rankings 2024 | Quality of Life Index | Safety Index | Health Care Index | Cost of Living Index | Climate Index | Composite Score |
| Japan | 84.85 | 51 | 51 | 184 | 77.30 | 79.7 | 46.1 | 85.3 | 100.0 |
| Netherlands | 82.3 | 32 | 6 | 208 | 73.60 | 79.3 | 63.1 | 87 | 95.1 |
| Denmark | 82.09 | 33 | 2 | 206 | 73.90 | 78.5 | 72.3 | 83.7 | 93.7 |
| Switzerland | 84.09 | 30 | 9 | 204 | 73.90 | 71.7 | 101.1 | 82 | 92.1 |
| Luxembourg | 82.36 | 22 | 8 | 219 | 65.70 | 75.3 | 62.4 | 82.6 | 91.6 |
| Spain | 83.8 | 32 | 36 | 181 | 64.20 | 77.7 | 47.3 | 91.7 | 90.9 |
| South Korea | 84.43 | 10 | 52 | 150 | 75.20 | 83 | 60.1 | 68.4 | 89.7 |
| Finland | 82.08 | 38 | 1 | 200 | 73.80 | 77.5 | 63.2 | 61.1 | 89.2 |
| Austria | 82.12 | 31 | 14 | 191 | 70.60 | 77.2 | 65.1 | 81.8 | 88.5 |
| Portugal | 82.55 | 37 | 55 | 168 | 68.80 | 72.5 | 45.1 | 97.6 | 87.0 |
The healthiest country for aging is Japan with the maximum score of 100, which reflects high quality of life, good healthcare and affordable cost of living. Japan is the second most affordable country on the list and has the longest life expectancy in the ranking with 84.8 years.
The Netherlands ranks second in the list of the healthiest countries for aging, with the composite score of 95.1. The country ranks high when it comes to happiness and has the second highest quality of life in the ranking, earning its place in the list.
Denmark takes third place, getting a score of 93.7. The life expectancy in Denmark is similar to the Netherlands but the health index is slightly lower. The high quality of life index, one of a few above 200, puts the country in the top-3.
Switzerland follows closely with fourth positions and a score of 92.1. It falls behind Denmark or the Netherlands because of the higher cost of living but provides the citizens with solid quality of life and healthcare.
Luxembourg is fifth in the ranking of the healthiest countries to age in, with a score of 91.6. The country ranks just above Switzerland in overall happiness and has the highest quality of life. Compared to other countries, it has a lower climate index influencing its place in the ranking.
Spain ranks sixth, earning a score of 90.9. The average life expectancy here is 83.3 years and the country has the second most favorable climate in the top-10. Compared to Luxembourg or Switzerland, Spain falls behind in quality of life but compensates with a well-built healthcare system.
In seventh place is South Korea, scoring 89.7. The age dependency ratio in South Korea is the lowest in the list at 10%, showing that older people rarely depend on the younger generation. The life expectancy is one of the longest at 84.43, which is supported by the best healthcare in the list.
Finland takes eighth place, with a score of 89.2. The country is considered to be happiest in the world, coupled with high quality of life and good healthcare. The life expectancy in Finland is a little shorter than in South Korea or Spain and the cold climate can make life more difficult for the older population.
Austria is ninth, getting a score of 88.5. The life expectancy here is similar to Finland but the quality of life and overall happiness are lower. At the same time the climate is much more favorable in Austria than in Finland.
Portugal closes the ranking of the healthiest countries for aging with tenth place and a score of 87. The country has the best climate in the ranking which is important for older people. Portugal also has the most affordable cost of living but quality of life is also lower, compared to other countries in the top-10.