Best Countries for Retirement
One evening, my wife and I were chatting over tea on our balcony. The conversation started about what life would be like after retirement? Where would we be? Would we be as stressed as we are now, or would we spend our lives in a quiet, beautiful place? This is a question that arises in all of our minds from time to time. We all want our lives to be peaceful, comfortable, and secure after retirement. So I did some research, and I came across a list prepared by Natixis for 2025, which had a lot of important information about the ‘Best Countries for Retirement’. This list is not just statistics, it is a glimpse of dreams and hopes. Let’s dream about life after retirement based on this report.
What are the key aspects that are essential for retirement?
According to this report by Natixis, they didn’t rank countries based on just one or two things. They used 18 different indicators, which are divided into four main categories: health, quality of life, finances, and material well-being. In my opinion, this is really important. We don’t want retirement just for financial reasons, right? We want to be healthy and happy. Health means that after retirement we have good medical facilities, our life is long and healthy. Quality of life means how is the environment, how much pollution is there, what is the climate there, and whether the people there are happy? All these things are equally important for our mental health.
The financial aspect is important, but it is not limited to just saving for retirement. It also ensures that our pension is secure, whether inflation in the country will not eat away at our savings, and whether we have the right investment options? And material well-being, which is linked to our basic needs – such as housing, energy and other amenities are easily and affordably available. All these four aspects are interconnected and indispensable for a good retirement life. Therefore, it is very important to consider all these things while choosing any country for retirement.
List of the best countries for retirement
The first place in this list is Norway, which has a score of 83%. Nordic countries like Norway always rank high in this list. Life there is considered very peaceful, close to nature, and safe. The second place is Ireland, which has a score of 82%. The third place is Switzerland, which is another best country for retirement with a score of 81%. If we look at the list of ‘Best Countries for Retirement’, the following countries are at the top:
- Iceland (79%)
- Denmark (79%)
- Netherlands (79%)
- Australia (77%)
- Germany (76%)
When I hear about life after retirement in these countries, a beautiful picture comes to my mind. Sometimes I wonder if I can really go and live in these countries? But the truth is that for middle-class people like us, moving to such a place and settling there can be a big dream. However, such lists inspire us to think about the future, and this list of ‘Best Countries for Retirement’ is one of them.
Are all the good countries possible for us? And the surprising fall of the US
After seeing this list, one question that surely comes to mind is whether all these countries can be the ‘best countries for retirement’ for ordinary people like us? The cost of living in these countries is very high, and problems like language, culture can also arise. Whichever country we choose, it is most important to know whether the local lifestyle is suitable for us. But the most surprising thing in this list is about the United States. America, the country that we always considered the land of opportunities and where millions of people dreamed of moving and settling, has continuously declined in its position for retirement. According to the 2025 report, America’s position has dropped to 21st and its score is 70%. These are not just statistics. This indicates that the challenges for retirement life in the US are increasing. The main reasons for this may be rising medical costs, instability of pensions, and worries about the future. According to the statistics, the US has dropped six spots in the retirement ranking since 2015. This is truly worrying. The US situation in particular changes the picture of the ‘best countries for retirement’. This makes us realize that the economic development of a country and a happy life after retirement do not always go hand in hand. This is a warning that no matter where we are, we have to prepare for our future now.
Some more best countries for retirement that you may not have thought of
There are also some other countries on this list that could be good options for us. We may have never thought of them before, but the lifestyle and health facilities there are very good. There are also some more ‘best countries’ for retirement that are included in this list:
| Rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 83% |
| 2 | Ireland | 82% |
| 3 | Switzerland | 81% |
| 4 | Iceland | 79% |
| 5 | Denmark | 79% |
| 6 | Netherlands | 79% |
| 7 | Australia | 77% |
| 8 | Germany | 76% |
| 9 | Luxembourg | 75% |
| 10 | Slovenia | 75% |
| 11 | Czechia | 74% |
| 12 | New Zealand | 73% |
| 13 | Singapore | 73% |
| 14 | UK | 72% |
| 15 | Austria | 72% |
| 16 | Israel | 72% |
| 17 | Belgium | 71% |
| 18 | Sweden | 71% |
| 19 | Malta | 70% |
| 20 | Canada | 70% |
| 21 | U.S. | 70% |
| 22 | S. Korea | 69% |
| 23 | Finland | 66% |
| 24 | Slovakia | 66% |
| 25 | Cyprus | 66% |
Source:Visual Capitalist
This list also includes countries like Canada and the UK where many of our relatives or friends live. Singapore is also close because it is in Asia. Small countries like Cyprus are also known for their good climate and low inflation. If we are looking for a less expensive and quiet country, we can also think about such countries. The experience of living in each of these countries may be different, so we have to decide what is most important to us first.
My personal thoughts: Where are the best countries to retire?
After looking at all this information and the list of countries, I can only conclude one thing: there is no single answer to the ‘best countries to retire’. This answer varies from person to person. A country that is like heaven for one person may be inconvenient for another. For me, the most important thing after retirement is to be close to my family, spend time with my family, and live in an environment where I feel safe and happy. However, this report and list inspire us to think about how we can prepare for the future. And if we ever get the chance to go abroad, what are the best options we can have. I believe that the most important thing is not which country you are in, but how satisfied and happy you are with your retirement life. Are you doing the activities you love? Are you experiencing peace? The answers to these questions can lead us to the most suitable and best retirement country for us. Let’s share your thoughts on this list. In your opinion, what are the ‘best countries for retirement’?
