What is the global average retirement age?

The global average retirement age is approximately 63.5 years, though actual retirement ages often differ from official ones.

Which country has the highest retirement age?

Norway and the United States both have official retirement ages of 67.

Global Average Retirement Age

Q: Are countries raising retirement ages?

Yes, many developed nations are raising retirement ages due to aging populations and pension sustainability concerns. France recently raised theirs from 62 to 64.

Last updated: January 13, 2026

63.5 years

years

The global average retirement age is approximately 63.5 years. Many developed nations are raising retirement ages due to aging populations and pension sustainability concerns.

Historical Trend

Source: OECD

Global Average Retirement Age by Country

Country	Value (years) ↓	Source
Norway	67	OECD
United States	67	SSA
Germany	66	OECD
United Kingdom	66	OECD
Japan	65	OECD
France	64	OECD
China	60	Gov.cn
India	58	Gov.in

Why This Average Exists

Retirement age reflects the balance between workforce participation, pension system sustainability, life expectancy, and quality of life expectations across societies.

Factors That Affect Global Average Retirement Age

Life expectancy
Pension system design
Economic development
Labor market conditions
Government policy
Cultural norms

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Data Sources

The data presented on this page is compiled from publicly available datasets published by international organizations including the World Bank, World Health Organization (WHO), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations, NASA, and national statistical agencies.

Global averages are calculated using population-weighted or arithmetic means depending on the metric. Country-level data reflects the most recent available figures, typically from 2024–2024. Where gaps exist, the latest available data point is used.

All figures are subject to revision as source organizations update their datasets. For the most authoritative data, we encourage consulting the original sources linked in the table above.