10 Best Countries to Grow Old

We all have a vested interest in what life will look like as we age and, as Canadians, how Canada fairs in relation to the rest of the world. I’ve explored other global rankings in posts like the best country to live, smartest countries, the happiest countries, the  most peaceful countries, the most sustainable countries, the friendliest countries, the most charitable countries, the most prosperous countries, the best countries for quality of life, the best countries for business, the top countries for life expectancy, the best countries for working women, the best country for world travel & tourism, the best countries for human development, the top countries for Clean Capitalism, the best country for child well-being, the best countries from social progress, the best countries for higher education, the most popular countries, the least corrupt countries, the best countries for paid vacation days, the countries with the best reputation, the best countries for global professionals, the best countries for ease of doing business, the best countries for starting a business, the best country for business, the best country for customer satisfaction, the most gay positive country, the best countries with the most competitive economies, the best countries for entrepreneurship and the most sustainable countries. Today I’m adding the 10 best countries to grow old according to the the Global AgeWatch Index published by HelpAge International, an organization that “helps older people claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives.”

The purpose of the Global AgeWatch Index is to “promote the development of policies and programmes that will improve the quality of life and wellbeing of current and future generations of older people.” They used four indicators that are key to the overall well-being of older people: income security, health status, employment and education and enabling environment using data from a variety of reliable sources. This research was compiled to give an overall score out of 100. Based on this methodology, the 10 best countries to grow old are:

1. Sweden – Score: 89.9. Sweden’s highest score was 5th place in both employment and education and enabling environment.
2. Norway – Score: 89.8. The highest score Norway received was 1st place in employment and education.
3. Germany – Score: 89.3. Germany’s highest score was 6th place in health, employment and education and enabling environment.
4. Netherlands – Score: 88.2. Netherlands ranked 1st when it came to enabling environment.
5. Canada – Score: 88. Canada’s highest score was 2nd place when it came to health status.
6. Switzerland – Score: 87.9. A 1st place finish in health status was Switzerland’s highest score.
7. New Zealand – Score: 84.5. New Zealand’s highest score was also in the health status category as they ranked 3rd.
8. United States – Score: 83.8. The US’s highest score was 2nd place in employment and education.
9. Iceland – Score: 83.4. Iceland’s highest score was 7th place in enabling environment.
10. Japan – Score: 83.3. Health status was where Japan received their highest mark of 5th place.

According to Jane Scobie, HelpAge’s director of advocacy, Canada has “a retirement income system that aims to reduce incidents of low income in older age.”

Congrats to Canada for making the top 10 and a shout out to HelpAge for publishing a report that shines a light on the welfare of those over 65 around the world.

____________________________________________________________________________________

For nonprofit, CSR business, Canada and other news, please connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin or subscribe to our RSS feed. Miratel Solutions is a Canada call centre, eBusiness, and letter shop mail house specializing in professional fundraising services including telephone fundraising, online fundraising, lottery services, donation caging, donation processing and other donor management services. We are committed to our CSR business values and advancing the missions of the non-profits we proudly serve.