While no single country is definitively the "healthiest," Japan, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Denmark consistently rank high for healthy aging, with Japan often leading in life expectancy due to diet and lifestyle, and European nations excelling in social support, healthcare, and quality of life. Malta also scores well in the EU for healthy life years, while specific regions like Okinawa (Japan) and Ikaria (Greece) are famous "Blue Zones" for longevity.
Japan, known for its diet rich in fish, seafood, and plant-based foods, retains its top spot on the list as the healthiest country to age in, with a composite score of 100.0. Notably, Japan is the second-most affordable country on the list and has the longest life expectancy at 84.9 years.
According to the Age UK Mobility study, Norway is the best country for older people to live in. Qatar, Finland, Malaysia, Sweden, and Japan follow Norway. The UK is the 35th best country for older people to live in. The study uses a combination of different datasets, including the cost of living and the retirement age.
By teaming up with National Geographic and the National Institute on Aging, Dan and his team, found the 5 demographically confirmed, geographically defined areas with the highest percentage of centenarians (Loma Linda, CA, USA; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Sardinia, Italy; Ikaria, Greece; Okinawa, Japan; seen in Figure 1).
Top 10 Healthiest Countries in the World
These are the top 10 healthiest countries in the world according to the Global Health Security Index (2021): United States. Australia. Finland.
Japan has one of the highest life expectancy rates and some of the lowest rates of overweight and obesity in developed countries. The traditional Japanese diet and the way the Japanese eat are likely big contributors.
Key findings
The top five causes of death among centenarians in 2014 were heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, cancer, and influenza and pneumonia. Death rates for Alzheimer's disease increased 119% between 2000 and 2014 among centenarians.
Monaco consistently ranks as the country with the highest life expectancy, around 86-87 years, followed closely by Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, and San Marino, all boasting figures above 84 years, with small nations and East Asian territories dominating the top spots due to excellent healthcare, diet, and quality of life.
This is particularly true of centenarians, the exceptional group of individuals who reach the age of 100. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in June 2021 there were 45,037 individuals in Australia aged 95-99 years old and 5,547 who were aged 100 or more.
But Americans have the world's largest increase in happiness when they retire. Finland, according to the World Happiness Report, has the happiest people on Earth.
Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Australia round out the top 5 most respected countries. According to a study by The Reputation Institute, Canada has been named the most respected country in the world. In second and third place are Norway and Sweden, while Switzerland and Australia round out the top 5.
Countries that consistently rank highly for elderly care
Denmark has the best environmental, social and political conditions you need to age more slowly and lead a healthier life as you grow older, according to new research. Published in Nature Medicine, the study identified the factors that shape the biological processes behind how healthily you age.
One country in the West that has an extremely high amount of respect for its elders is Greece. This is displayed in part of the Greek culture with the value called philotimo, which means “doing good”.
Key statistics
Life expectancy at birth was 81.1 years for males and 85.1 years for females in 2022–2024, reflecting no change for either males or females from the previous year (2021–2023).
Asian Americans enjoy the longest life expectancy of any racial or ethnic group (87.3 years) in the U.S. today. Latinos enjoy the 2nd longest life expectancy of any racial or ethnic groups in the U.S. today.
The studies claim that death anxiety peaks in men and women when in their 20s, but after this group, sex plays a role in the path that one takes. Either sex can experience a decline in death concerns with age, but the studies show an unexpected second spike in women during their early 50s.
But the body tries valiantly. The first organ system to “close down” is the digestive system.
Follow a mostly plant-based diet – Blue Zone centenarians follow a predominantly plant-based diet, eating 95-100% plant-based. They primarily eat a variety of in-season fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains and beans.
Hispanic, Black, and AIAN people fare worse than White people across the majority of examined measures of health and health care and social determinants of health (Figure 1). Black people fare better than White people for some cancer screening and incidence measures, although they have higher rates of cancer mortality.
8 Healthiest Cultures with the Best Food in the World
What Ethnicity Has The Highest Hair Density? Caucasians have the highest hair density.