Top Countries with the Highest Aging Populations in 2025: Japan Takes the Lead

According to the World Population Prospects 2024 report compiled by Statista, several countries are projected to have the highest aging populations in 2025.

Japan tops the list, with an estimated 30% of its population aged 65 and older in 2025. By 2050, this proportion is expected to rise to 37.5%.

“Japan, which is already known for its aging population and currently sits at the top, will be followed by other Asian countries undergoing significant demographic shifts,” Statista wrote on July 7, 2025.

Next is Puerto Rico, with 25.3% of its population aged 65+ in 2024. By 2050, this figure is projected to increase to 37%, just below Japan.

Italy ranks third, with 25.1% of its population considered elderly in 2025. That number is also expected to climb to 36.8% by 2050.

Other countries on the list include Portugal, Greece, Finland, Germany, and Hong Kong, as shown in the chart.

Hong Kong, which ranks last among the top eight in 2025, is projected to see a dramatic increase in its elderly population, reaching over 45% by 2050—placing it at the top of the list by then.

“The sharp increase in life expectancy over recent decades has fueled this trend, and by 2050, approximately 40% of the populations of Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan are expected to be aged 65 and above,” Statista stated.

According to the report, these figures are significantly higher than those in today’s “oldest” countries, where the share of people aged 65 and older generally ranges between 20% and 25%, with the exception of Japan, which has already surpassed the 30% mark.

Statista highlights that one of the main challenges for countries with aging populations is ensuring that the economy can meet the growing consumption needs of older people. This includes raising the retirement age and removing barriers to voluntary participation of the elderly in the workforce.

“It also involves ensuring equitable access to education, healthcare, and job opportunities throughout life, all of which can improve economic security in old age,” Statista wrote.

As a note, Statista compiled this data using the median variant, and only included countries or territories with populations exceeding 1 million.