The road to a well-deserved retirement is often long and difficult for many people. As soon as you are able to enjoy life as a retiree away from your professional obligations, many people ask themselves where in the world is the best place to retire.
To answer this question, the Global Retirement Index (GRI), which is published annually by the investment management company NATIXIS, examines the attractiveness of various countries specifically for retirees in an international comparison.
Editorial team finanzen.net
Paul Schütte, Jennifer Vogel, editorial team of finanzen.net
11th place: The ranking
The investment management company NATIXIS annually compiles the Global Retirement Index, which evaluates the attractiveness of various countries for retirees. The index includes 18 performance indicators, divided into four thematic sub-indices and based on reliable data from international organizations and academic sources. The four thematic indices cover important aspects of wealth and well-being in retirement: material resources, access to financial services, the healthcare system and quality of life. The data is as of September 8th, 2025.
Source: NATIXIS, Image: MarcelClemens / Shutterstock.com
10th place: Slovenia
Slovenia succeeds in entering the elite: After narrowly failing to finish eleventh in 2024, the country has now secured a well-deserved place in the top ten with an overall rating of 75 percent.
Source: NATIXIS, Image: istock/Kajdi Szabolcs
9th place: Luxembourg
With an overall rating of 75 percent, Luxembourg remains an attractive retirement destination. Although the country slipped from 6th to 9th place compared to the previous year, it shows a positive long-term trend: Luxembourg has been able to improve continuously since 2020 (11th place) and even reached 5th place in 2023. The small state continues to demonstrate particular strength in the area of health, where it regularly takes top positions.
Source: NATIXIS, Image: Thomas Max Müller / pixelio.de
8th place: Germany
Germany also secured a position in the top ten. With an overall rating of 76 percent, the country confirms its stability and – as in the past two years – occupies eighth place in the ranking.
Source: NATIXIS, Image: Alexander Mak / Shutterstock.com
7th place: Australia
From the oldest continuous culture on earth to a modern retiree’s paradise, Australia remains a top destination for retirees. As in 2024, the country achieved seventh place globally with a rating of 77 percent. Despite its enormous expanse and low population density, the country scores with a high quality of life for seniors.
Source: NATIXIS, Image: Dieter Schütz / pixelio.de
6th place: Netherlands
Aside from the well-known postcard idyll of windmills, canals and tulip fields, the Netherlands also impresses as a location for retirement. According to the Global Retirement Index 2025, the country achieved a strong overall rating of 79 percent. Despite this stable result, the Netherlands slipped one place in the international comparison and is now in 6th place.
Source: NATIXIS, Image: Rainer Sturm / pixelio.de
5th place: Denmark
Denmark is the clear winner in the current Global Retirement Index 2025: As the strongest climber within the top ten, the kingdom improved from ninth to fifth place. With a first-class overall rating of 79 percent, the country consolidates its position among the global leaders and underlines its growing attractiveness for retirees.
Source: NATIXIS, Image: Katharina Wieland Müller / pixelio.de
4th place: Iceland
Iceland, the most sparsely populated country in Northern Europe, not only impresses with its spectacular nature, but also with first-class conditions for retirement. In the Global Retirement Index 2025, the island state secured an excellent fourth place worldwide with an overall rating of 79 percent. This means that Iceland maintains its position in the absolute top group of the most attractive countries for retirees.
Source: NATIXIS, Annamartha, image: pixelio.de
3rd place: Switzerland
The Swiss secured third place on the winners’ podium with a strong overall rating of 81 percent. In the current Global Retirement Index 2025, Switzerland particularly impresses with its leading global position in the area of financial security in retirement.
Source: NATIXIS, Basov Mikhail, Image: Shutterstock.com
2nd place: Ireland
Silver goes to Ireland: With an overall rating of 82 percent, the Republic takes second place in the Global Retirement Index 2025. The country is thus continuing its impressive upward trend – in 2013, Ireland was only in 25th place.
Source: NATIXIS, Joe Gough, Image: Shutterstock.com
1st place: Norway
Norway defends its leading position: As in the previous year, the country leads the Global Retirement Index 2025 with an overall rating of 83 percent. This means it is once again considered the world’s most attractive retirement destination. While Norway performs rather weakly in the area of finance, the country secures first place primarily through top marks in material prosperity.
Source: NATIXIS, Image: istock/Ekely
