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The race to have the most pensioners per worker

Race · 28 Oct 2026

Bar chart race of the old-age dependency ratio, people 65 and over per 100 aged 15 to 64, 1990 to 2025, for 14 countries. Sweden leads in 1990, Italy in 2000 and Japan, in gold, from 2004, ending near 51. South Korea and China climb from the bottom.

Which country has the most pensioners per worker?

In 1990 Sweden had the most people aged 65 and over for every 100 of working age, 27.7. Italy took the lead in 2000, Japan in 2004. Japan had 17.4 in 1990 and now has about 51, more than any country bar Monaco. South Korea and China climb from the bottom.

Source: World Bank (UN World Population Prospects), 2025