Sweden best country to grow old in: UN report

The United Nations' has reportedly ranked Sweden as the best country in the world where the elderly have adequate social and economic support.

According to the UN-backed global study, The Global Age Watch Index that examined the quality life of the elderly in 91 nations, Sweden, Norway and Germany made to the top of the list while Afghanistan was rated as the worst place for the elderly.

The study found that as people are graying faster than before; the population is not ready to take of their needs, the BBC reports.

The report said that by 2050, the number of elderly will outnumber under-15s for the first time as the countries across the world face an ongoing challenge from the rapidly ageing global population.

The Index has been compiled by the UN Population Fund and advocacy group HelpAge International.

The interim chief executive of HelpAge International, Silvia Stefanoni said that the continual exclusion of ageing from national and global agendas is one of the biggest obstacles to meeting the needs of the world's ageing population and the index helps understand which area needs more attention.

Researchers used indicators like income and employment, health provision, education, and environment to understand the quality of life elderly spend in certain nations, and it was revealed that as wealth wasn't the only factor, countries like Sri Lanka, Bolivia and Mauritius were ranked well than several richer nations, the report added.