Which Countries Are Best for Retirement in 2026?
Key Takeaways
- Norway ranks as the world’s best country for retirement in 2026, followed by Ireland.
- The U.S. places 24th among the 25 countries shown, with the eighth-highest estimated living costs.
- Czechia ranks 10th, with estimated annual living costs more than $29,000 lower than ninth-ranked Iceland.
The world’s top countries for retirement combine strong pension systems, health care, and quality of life. However, living costs vary significantly, even among countries with similar retirement scores.
This graphic uses data from the 2026 Natixis Global Retirement Index, which evaluates countries across 18 indicators covering health, retirement finances, quality of life, and material well-being.
Estimated monthly living costs come from Numbeo.
Where Retirement Is Best in 2026
The table below compares retirement scores with estimated monthly living costs for one person, including rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center.
These estimates exclude personal health care expenses and taxes and do not account for differences in retirement income.
| Rank | Country | Retirement Index Score (0-100) | Estimated Monthly Costs (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norway | 83% | $2,935 |
| 2 | Ireland | 81% | $2,942 |
| 3 | Netherlands | 79% | $2,827 |
| 4 | Switzerland | 79% | $3,717 |
| 5 | Denmark | 78% | $2,369 |
| 6 | Australia | 77% | $2,750 |
| 7 | Germany | 75% | $2,023 |
| 8 | Luxembourg | 75% | $3,261 |
| 9 | Iceland | 75% | $4,118 |
| 10 | Czechia | 75% | $1,678 |
| 11 | Slovenia | 73% | $1,668 |
| 12 | New Zealand | 73% | $2,050 |
| 13 | Singapore | 72% | $4,232 |
| 14 | Malta | 72% | $2,085 |
| 15 | UK | 72% | $2,465 |
| 16 | Belgium | 71% | $2,076 |
| 17 | Israel | 71% | $2,910 |
| 18 | Austria | 70% | $2,187 |
| 19 | Poland | 70% | $1,487 |
| 20 | South Korea | 69% | $1,702 |
| 21 | Canada | 69% | $2,333 |
| 22 | Sweden | 69% | $1,933 |
| 23 | Cyprus | 68% | $1,989 |
| 24 | U.S. | 68% | $2,845 |
| 25 | Japan | 67% | $1,428 |
How Living Costs Compare
Germany ranks seventh for retirement, with estimated monthly living costs of $2,023, compared with $2,845 in the U.S. That $822 monthly gap adds up to roughly $98,600 over a decade, assuming costs remain unchanged.
Czechia and Iceland offer an even sharper contrast. Both score 75% on the retirement index, but estimated monthly costs are $1,678 in Czechia versus $4,118 in Iceland, a difference of more than $29,000 annually.
What Makes a Country Better for Retirement?
National pension and health care systems play a major role in retirement security.
Across OECD countries, mandatory pension systems are projected to replace an average of 63% of previous after-tax earnings. That ranges from more than 90% in the Netherlands and Portugal to 51% in the United States.
Health care costs also matter. In the U.S., a 65-year-old retiring in 2026 can expect to spend an estimated $185,500 on health care throughout retirement.
While stronger retirement systems can offset higher living costs, these rankings measure national retirement conditions, not how easy it is for foreigners to retire abroad. Visa requirements and access to local benefits can change the picture.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
For more on retirement costs, see this graphic comparing the cost of retiring comfortably around the world.