A friend in California recently told me that she and her husband are moving to Mexico. My friend is in her sixties, her husband a bit older. While they have the means to grow old in comfort, they’re choosing to do so in a country ranked number thirty-three on the Global AgeWatch Index, which ranks countries according to the social and economic wellbeing of its older population.
I thought about this in light of the thousands of young and old Syrian refugees now on the move, in search of a better life in Europe. If anyone deserves a break where living in comfort is concerned, it is these individuals who have endured four years of war back home. They’re moving in the right direction: the country where many will resettle—Germany—is ranked number four on the AgeWatch Index.
TOP TEN COUNTRIES FOR AGING:
- Switzerland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Germany
- Canada
- Netherlands
- Iceland
- Japan
- USA
- United Kingdom
The world is aging fast, and there are some major populations shifts underway. Which is why the Global AgeWatch Index is such an important piece of research, and a fascinating read.
Whether you’re thinking about moving to another country, or just curious to learn more about an issue affecting all of us, check out the report here: 2015 Global AgeWatch Index
Scattered: My Year As An Accidental Caregiver is available in paperback and eBook at
