The best and worst countries to grow old—UN rankings

By: 11 years ago

In this Sept. 26, 2013, photo, 80-year-old Marianne Blomberg works out at a gym in Stockholm. Sweden came out on top of global rankings of the best countries to grow old, according to a global study scheduled released Tuesday, Oct. 1, by the United Nations and an elder rights group. The Swedish government has suggested people continue working beyond 65, a prospect Blomberg cautiously welcomes but warns should not be a requirement. AP

Sweden-Global-Aging — In this Sept. 26, 2013, photo, 80-year-old Marianne Blomberg works out at a gym in Stockholm. Sweden came out on top of global rankings of the best countries to grow old, according to a global study scheduled released Tuesday, Oct. 1, by the United Nations and an elder rights group. The Swedish government has suggested people continue working beyond 65, a prospect Blomberg cautiously welcomes but warns should not be a requirement. AP

GENEVA—Rankings of the best and worst countries to grow old, according to the UN-backed Global AgeWatch Index 2013, were released on Tuesday, the first survey of its kind to collect global data on the well-being of the elderly in a rapidly aging world.

The index, compiled by the HelpAge International advocacy group and the UN Population Fund, ranks 91 countries by comparing data from the World Health Organization and other agencies on older people’s incomes, health, education, employment and their environments.

TOP 10

1. Sweden

2. Norway

3. Germany

4. Netherlands

5. Canada

6. Switzerland

7. New Zealand

8. USA

9. Iceland

10. Japan

Britain came in at 13, ahead of Australia (14) and France (18).

Lower down in the rankings were the emerging economies of Brazil (31), China (35), South Africa (65), India (73) and Russia (78).

BOTTOM 10:

82. Honduras

83. Montenegro

84. West Bank and Gaza

85. Nigeria

86. Malawi

87. Rwanda

88. Jordan

89. Pakistan

90. Tanzania

91. Afghanistan