If we talk about countries that have residents aged 65 years
or older, Japan comes at the leading position. Data shows that in the year
2021, there are more than 86,000 centenarians alone who are residents in the
island nation. The data taken from the United Nations Population Division
highlights that there is one smaller country that beats the East Asian state and
fills the number one position in this list when talking about smaller
geographic regions.
The country talked here is the tiny city-state of Monaco, which according to the CIA Fact book, has the second highest population density worldwide. 36% of the country’s population that is around 39,000 inhabitants are aged at 65 years or more. This, along with an amazingly high life expectancy, is most likely owed to the fact that it has become a shelter for wealthy residents, who can manage to pay for even the costliest medical procedures and above-average care. With Italy, Portugal and Greece, Southern Europe is also featured prominently in this ranking. The worldwide statistics show that about one tenth of the population is over 65 years of age.
According to forecasts by the World Health Organization, low- and middle-income countries will be home to 80 percent of the world's older population by the year 2050. In order to spread awareness among people on this topic, the United Nations General Assembly has stated the timeframe between 2021 and 2030 as the "Decade of Healthy Ageing”. This initiative is aimed at reducing health inequities and improving the lives of older population. Their aim is to aware the families of these elderly people and communities through collective action.
