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These are the best countries to grow old in

Old man on bench
Forget growing old in your local pub [Photo: Pexels]

If you picture growing old in comfort, the UK isn’t the worst location to do so in.

(You’ll save the cost of a flight, anyway.)

But it’s hardly the best country in the world to age in so you might want to reconsider flying to beyond our little rainy island.

According to researchers from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health and University of Southern California Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, the best country to spend the rest of your years in is actually Norway.

Man on map
The world is your oyster [Photo: Pexels]

The New Global Ageing Index estimates the health and wellbeing of ageing people in different countries – especially how different places are handling their rapidly increasing ageing populations.

The Index is made up of several social and economic indicators that reflect the status and wellbeing of older people in different places, which can be followed over time and used to compare countries.

These include security, equity, wellbeing, cohesion (including social connectness), productivity and engagement.

The UK actually came in 11th for this, with Sweden coming in at second, the US third, the Netherlands fourth and Japan fifth.

Old man
The Index takes multiple factors into account [Photo: Pexels]

While a little closer to home at sixth was Ireland, followed by Denmark at seventh, Germany at eighth and Finland at ninth.

So it’s good to know that lots of these places are a quick trip away.

It’s hardly surprising that Norway, amongst the other Scandinavian countries, did so well as somewhere with famously good living standards.

But perhaps a little more surprising is the US ranking so high given the negative publicity it’s received in the past year when it comes to equality.

Old couple
Countries are struggling with their increasing ageing populations [Photo: Pexels]

“Interestingly, the Index demonstrates that the United States – despite general problems with inequity and social cohesion – has done well in keeping older Americans financially secure, productive, and engaged,” Dana Goldman, PhD, Distinguished Professor and Leonard D. Schaeffer Director’s Chair at the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, wrote on the Columbia University website.

“The Index provides an accurate look at how well societies are adapting to this ageing challenge,” said Goldman.

Woman on bench
Why not get out there and see the world? [Photo: Pexels]

“Utilising reliable and sensitive economic and social indicators that are widely available, the tool allows countries to take a broader view of both current conditions and likely future demographic realities.”

In other words, if you’d like to grow old marvellously, you’d better buy a one-way ticket to Norway.

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