Median age of population 2020

The median age of a population is a key demographic indicator, reflecting the age distribution within a country. Understanding median age helps assess economic development, healthcare needs, and social dynamics. Countries with a higher median age may face challenges related to aging populations, while younger populations often indicate growth potential.

236 data points•Updated 11/4/2025•World•United Nations Population Division•

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Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1	Monaco	54.762 years
2	Saint Helena	49.309 years
3	Japan	47.674 years
4	Martinique	47.457 years
5	Italy	46.403 years
6	San Marino	45.831 years
7	Saint Pierre and Miquelon	45.296 years
8	Isle of Man	45.124 years
9	Portugal	45.026 years
10	Germany	44.876 years
11	United States Virgin Islands	44.576 years
12	China, Hong Kong SAR	44.434 years
13	Guadeloupe	44.369 years
14	Greece	44.318 years
15	Puerto Rico	44.313 years
16	Croatia	44.228 years
17	Bermuda	44.031 years
18	Bulgaria	43.897 years
19	Bosnia and Herzegovina	43.775 years
20	Guernsey	43.75 years
21	Liechtenstein	43.574 years
22	Spain	43.497 years
23	Serbia	43.386 years
24	Lithuania	43.154 years
25	Slovenia	43.016 years
26	Latvia	42.821 years
27	South Korea	42.759 years
28	Austria	42.572 years
29	Hungary	42.454 years
30	Jersey	42.391 years
31	Czech Republic	42.324 years
32	Finland	42.178 years
33	Andorra	42.125 years
34	Romania	41.959 years
35	Taiwan	41.725 years
36	Switzerland	41.669 years
37	Netherlands	41.527 years
38	Estonia	41.383 years
39	Cuba	41.343 years
40	France	41.252 years
41	Denmark	41.149 years
42	Belgium	40.811 years
43	Ukraine	40.793 years
44	Montserrat	40.546 years
45	Aruba	40.399 years
46	Sint Maarten (Dutch part)	40.326 years
47	Slovakia	40.196 years
48	Poland	40.101 years
49	Canada	39.901 years
50	Falkland Islands (Malvinas)	39.88 years
51	Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba	39.648 years
52	Belarus	39.595 years
53	Sweden	39.56 years
54	Saint Martin (French part)	39.53 years
55	North Macedonia	39.33 years
56	United Kingdom	39.22 years
57	Gibraltar	39.107 years
58	Norway	39.043 years
59	Malta	38.876 years
60	Russia	38.692 years
61	Montenegro	38.669 years
62	Luxembourg	38.557 years
63	Saint Barthélemy	38.282 years
64	Thailand	38.212 years
65	Barbados	38.15 years
66	Faroe Islands	37.861 years
67	China	37.494 years
68	Curaçao	37.469 years
69	Ireland	37.289 years
70	United States	37.226 years
71	Turks and Caicos Islands	37.029 years
72	China, Macao SAR	36.988 years
73	Australia	36.895 years
74	Kuwait	36.844 years
75	Republic of Moldova	36.827 years
76	Palau	36.793 years
77	Cayman Islands	36.763 years
78	Cyprus	36.528 years
79	New Zealand	36.46 years
80	Georgia	36.459 years
81	British Virgin Islands	36.266 years
82	Réunion	36.259 years
83	Anguilla	36.071 years
84	Niue	35.986 years
85	Mauritius	35.916 years
86	Iceland	35.595 years
87	Wallis and Futuna Islands	35.59 years
88	North Korea	35.347 years
89	Trinidad and Tobago	35.311 years
90	Albania	35.127 years
91	Armenia	35.054 years
92	Uruguay	35.022 years
93	Chile	34.684 years
94	Singapore	34.481 years
95	Dominica	34.444 years
96	Antigua and Barbuda	34.256 years
97	Saint Kitts and Nevis	34.17 years
98	Northern Mariana Islands	33.609 years
99	Greenland	33.596 years
100	Bahamas	33.59 years
101	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	33.129 years
102	French Polynesia	33.035 years
103	New Caledonia	32.881 years
104	Cook Islands	32.739 years
105	Brazil	32.684 years
106	Seychelles	32.634 years
107	Saint Lucia	32.573 years
108	Costa Rica	32.513 years
109	Sri Lanka	32.074 years
110	Grenada	31.927 years
111	Qatar	31.626 years
112	Iran	31.326 years
113	Turkey	31.245 years
114	Azerbaijan	31.132 years
115	Tunisia	31.091 years
116	Argentina	31.08 years
117	Vietnam	31.027 years
118	Bahrain	30.953 years
119	Western Sahara	30.941 years
120	United Arab Emirates	30.856 years
121	Guam	30.831 years
122	Colombia	30.448 years
123	Brunei Darussalam	30.349 years
124	Jamaica	30.229 years
125	Kosovo	29.731 years
126	Kazakhstan	29.212 years
127	Indonesia	29.132 years
128	Maldives	29.069 years
129	Israel	28.994 years
130	Oman	28.765 years
131	Myanmar	28.72 years
132	Panama	28.659 years
133	Malaysia	28.614 years
134	Peru	28.532 years
135	Saudi Arabia	28.489 years
136	Venezuela	28.246 years
137	Morocco	28.226 years
138	Mexico	27.936 years
139	Lebanon	27.813 years
140	Bhutan	27.647 years
141	Algeria	27.608 years
142	Suriname	27.501 years
143	South Africa	27.265 years
144	Ecuador	27.223 years
145	Fiji	27.059 years
146	India	27.024 years
147	Dominican Republic	26.697 years
148	American Samoa	26.667 years
149	Uzbekistan	26.572 years
150	Libya	26.457 years
151	Mongolia	26.415 years
152	Cabo Verde	26.361 years
153	Tokelau	26.058 years
154	El Salvador	25.691 years
155	Paraguay	25.528 years
156	Turkmenistan	25.379 years
157	French Guiana	25.177 years
158	Cambodia	25.122 years
159	Guyana	24.829 years
160	Belize	24.667 years
161	Kyrgyzstan	24.643 years
162	Bangladesh	24.558 years
163	Nicaragua	24.292 years
164	Tuvalu	24.268 years
165	Philippines	24.075 years
166	Bolivia	24.02 years
167	Djibouti	23.51 years
168	Egypt	23.488 years
169	Nepal	23.451 years
170	Laos	23.379 years
171	Jordan	23.266 years
172	Haiti	22.759 years
173	Honduras	22.572 years
174	Botswana	22.276 years
175	Kiribati	22.183 years
176	Micronesia (Fed. States of)	22.116 years
177	Papua New Guinea	21.736 years
178	Guatemala	21.553 years
179	Gabon	21.464 years
180	Tajikistan	21.414 years
181	Marshall Islands	21.405 years
182	Eswatini	21.284 years
183	Equatorial Guinea	21.135 years
184	Lesotho	20.993 years
185	Tonga	20.894 years
186	Nauru	20.862 years
187	Namibia	20.775 years
188	Syrian Arab Republic	20.44 years
189	Ghana	20.396 years
190	Samoa	20.366 years
191	Vanuatu	20.158 years
192	Timor-Leste	20.073 years
193	Pakistan	19.811 years
194	Comoros	19.68 years
195	Solomon Islands	19.637 years
196	Iraq	19.604 years
197	State of Palestine	19.286 years
198	Rwanda	18.877 years
199	Kenya	18.779 years
200	Sierra Leone	18.605 years
201	Togo	18.495 years
202	Sao Tome and Principe	18.491 years
203	Madagascar	18.407 years
204	Senegal	18.385 years
205	Guinea-Bissau	18.364 years
206	Ethiopia	18.129 years
207	Congo	18.072 years
208	Yemen	18.062 years
209	Eritrea	17.959 years
210	Liberia	17.885 years
211	Côte d'Ivoire	17.854 years
212	Sudan	17.817 years
213	Gambia	17.637 years
214	Guinea	17.572 years
215	Cameroon	17.441 years
216	Benin	17.428 years
217	Zimbabwe	17.363 years
218	Nigeria	17.214 years
219	South Sudan	17.025 years
220	Zambia	16.936 years
221	Tanzania	16.917 years
222	Malawi	16.897 years
223	Mauritania	16.825 years
224	Mayotte	16.703 years
225	Burkina Faso	16.629 years
226	Afghanistan	16.411 years
227	Angola	16.321 years
228	Mozambique	16.13 years
229	Uganda	15.922 years
230	Congo, Democratic Republic of the	15.815 years
231	Burundi	15.33 years
232	Somalia	15.265 years
233	Mali	15.12 years
234	Chad	14.866 years
235	Niger	14.821 years
236	Central African Republic	14.41 years

↑Top 10 Countries

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

↓Bottom 10 Countries

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

The median age of a population serves as a crucial demographic indicator, providing insights into the age distribution within a country. In 2020, this metric offered a unique lens to assess the economic development, healthcare needs, and social dynamics worldwide. Countries with a higher median age often grapple with challenges associated with aging populations, whereas nations with younger demographics are typically seen as having significant growth potential. This article explores the global landscape of median age in 2020, examining regional variations, demographic implications, and economic correlations.

Regional Demographic Dynamics

The distribution of median age in 2020 revealed stark contrasts across the globe. Monaco topped the list with a median age of 54.76 years, a reflection of its affluent, stable population. This contrasts sharply with Sierra Leone, which had the lowest median age of 18.61 years, indicative of a young, burgeoning populace. Such extremes highlight the demographic disparities between developed and developing regions. Europe, characterized by its aging populations, saw countries like Italy (46.40 years) and Germany (44.88 years) with high median ages, underscoring the continent's demographic transition towards an older population. In contrast, many African nations, including Kenya (18.78 years) and Rwanda (18.88 years), featured among those with the youngest populations, pointing towards rapid population growth and a youthful demographic profile.

Economic Implications of Ageing and Youthful Populations

The median age of a population is intrinsically linked to its economic structures and capabilities. Countries with higher median ages, such as Japan (47.67 years) and Italy, often face economic challenges related to workforce shortages and increased healthcare costs. These nations must adapt their economic strategies to maintain economic stability in the face of an aging population. Conversely, countries with lower median ages, like Iraq (19.60 years) and Pakistan (19.81 years), are poised to harness their youthful populations as engines of economic growth, provided they can create sufficient employment opportunities and invest in education and health infrastructure to sustain such growth.

With the global median age standing at 33.05 years in 2020, healthcare systems across the world face distinct challenges. Nations with older populations, such as Japan and Monaco, need to prioritize geriatric care and chronic disease management. Social policies in these countries are increasingly geared towards supporting an aging populace, with emphasis on pension reforms and healthcare accessibility. In contrast, nations like Sierra Leone and the State of Palestine (19.29 years) must focus on maternal and child health, infectious disease prevention, and basic healthcare infrastructure to cater to their predominantly younger populations. Understanding these needs is crucial for policy-makers aiming to implement effective health and social policies that address the specific demographic realities of their nations.

Intercontinental Comparisons

The varying median ages across continents underscore the diverse demographic paths nations are navigating. Europe, with its higher average median age, contrasts with the significantly younger populations in Africa. This demographic divide is further accentuated by Asia, where countries like Japan and Pakistan are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Such intercontinental comparisons provide valuable insights into how socio-economic development, cultural norms, and historical contexts influence demographic trends. For instance, Japan's high median age reflects its low birth rates and high life expectancy, while Pakistan’s youthful demographic is driven by higher fertility rates and a relatively lower life expectancy.

Insights from 2020 Global Statistics

The data from 2020 offers a snapshot of global demographic trends, revealing both opportunities and challenges. The average global median age of 33.05 years highlights a world that is gradually aging. However, the presence of numerous countries with significantly lower median ages suggests that the demographic transition is not uniform. Countries like Vanuatu (20.16 years) and Comoros (19.68 years) exemplify the potential for demographic dividends if their youthful populations are effectively integrated into the workforce. Conversely, aging nations must innovate to sustain economic vitality and support their elder citizens. As the world continues to grapple with these demographic dynamics, understanding the median age of populations remains essential for crafting policies that promote sustainable development and social well-being.

Insights by country

Guyana

In 2020, Guyana had a median age of 24.83 years, ranking 159th out of 236 countries in terms of population median age. This relatively young median age reflects a demographic trend common in many developing nations, where higher birth rates contribute to a larger proportion of younger individuals in the population.

Several factors contribute to this statistic, including high fertility rates and a declining but still significant emigration rate, which removes older individuals from the population. Additionally, health improvements and access to education have resulted in a gradual shift in age demographics, but the impact is still in its formative stages.

As a point of comparison, the global median age is approximately 30 years, indicating that Guyana's population is considerably younger than the world average. This youthfulness can present both opportunities and challenges, particularly in terms of economic development and the provision of services such as education and healthcare for the growing youth demographic.

Serbia

In 2020, Serbia had a median age of population of 43.39 years, ranking 23rd out of 236 countries worldwide. This relatively high median age indicates a demographic trend towards an aging population, which is consistent with shifts observed in many European nations.

The increase in median age can be attributed to several factors, including declining birth rates, increased life expectancy, and significant emigration of younger individuals seeking better opportunities abroad. Additionally, the effects of the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s led to long-term demographic changes that have contributed to the current population structure.

As a result of these demographic trends, Serbia faces potential challenges related to an aging workforce and increased demands on healthcare and social services. Furthermore, by 2020, around 20% of the Serbian population was aged 65 and older, indicating a growing proportion of elderly individuals that may impact economic and social policies in the years to come.

Timor-Leste

In 2020, Timor-Leste ranked 192nd out of 236 countries in terms of median age of population, with a median age of 20.07 years. This relatively low median age reflects the country's youthful demographic profile, which is characterized by a high proportion of children and young adults.

The youthfulness of Timor-Leste's population can be attributed to several factors, including a history of conflict that affected population growth dynamics and a high birth rate. The country has been undergoing significant development since gaining independence in 2002, which impacts educational and health services for the younger population.

Additionally, this demographic characteristic presents both opportunities and challenges. A younger population can drive economic growth and innovation, but it also necessitates comprehensive policies to provide education, employment, and healthcare services to meet the needs of this burgeoning demographic.

Bahrain

Bahrain ranks 118th out of 236 countries in terms of the median age of its population, with a median age of 30.95 years as of 2020. This statistic reflects a relatively young population compared to many other nations, indicative of a demographic structure that is still transitioning towards an older population.

The median age in Bahrain is influenced by several factors, including a high birth rate in previous decades, ongoing immigration, and a growing expatriate community. The presence of a significant number of young foreign workers contributes to the lower median age, as many expatriates come to Bahrain for employment opportunities.

As a result, Bahrain's youth demographic plays a crucial role in shaping its economy and labor market. Furthermore, it is important to consider that countries with younger populations often face challenges related to education, employment, and social services to accommodate their growing youth demographic.

Laos

In 2020, Laos had a median age of 23.38 years, ranking it 170th out of 236 countries in terms of population age. This relatively low median age indicates a youthful demographic, which is characteristic of many developing nations.

The youthful population in Laos can be attributed to several factors, including a high fertility rate and improving healthcare that has contributed to reduced mortality rates. Additionally, the country's socio-economic conditions, including limited access to education and family planning resources, also play a significant role in maintaining a younger population structure.

As of 2020, approximately 47.8% of the population was under the age of 25, emphasizing the significant proportion of young individuals in society. This demographic trend presents both opportunities and challenges, as a larger working-age population can drive economic growth, while also necessitating adequate educational and employment opportunities to harness their potential.

Saudi Arabia

In 2020, Saudi Arabia had a median age of population of 28.49 years, ranking 135th out of 236 countries in terms of demographic age distribution. This relatively young median age reflects the country's youthful population, influenced by high birth rates and a significant proportion of individuals in the younger age brackets.

The median age is indicative of the demographic transition that Saudi Arabia is experiencing, characterized by a decrease in fertility rates and an increase in life expectancy. Factors contributing to this demographic profile include government policies promoting family planning, economic opportunities that attract younger workers, and ongoing advancements in healthcare.

Interestingly, the median age in Saudi Arabia is lower than the global average, which is approximately 30 years as of 2020. This statistic highlights the vibrant and dynamic nature of the Saudi labor force, which plays a crucial role in the country's economic development and social change.

Saint Helena

Saint Helena has the second-highest median age of population in the world, recorded at 49.3 years in 2020. This statistic highlights the aging demographic of the island, which is characterized by a small population that tends to have a higher proportion of older individuals.

Several factors contribute to this high median age, including low birth rates and a limited influx of younger residents, as Saint Helena is relatively isolated geographically. The island's economy is not conducive to attracting a younger workforce, and as a result, many young people leave in search of better opportunities elsewhere.

In addition to its demographic profile, Saint Helena's population dynamics reflect broader trends observed in many small island nations, where aging populations can pose challenges for sustainability and economic growth. For context, global median ages have been rising, but few countries reach the high median age exemplified by Saint Helena.

Somalia

Somalia ranks 232nd out of 236 countries in terms of median age, with a median age of 15.27 years as of 2020. This statistic indicates a predominantly young population, which is reflective of the country’s high birth rates and relatively low life expectancy.

The low median age in Somalia can be attributed to several factors, including ongoing conflict, limited access to healthcare, and socio-economic challenges that affect overall population health. Furthermore, cultural factors often contribute to larger family sizes, further driving down the median age.

In comparison to global trends, Somalia's median age is significantly lower than the world average, highlighting the demographic challenges it faces. As of 2020, many countries with similar median ages are often characterized by instability and underdevelopment, which can impact their ability to provide adequate education and employment opportunities for their youth.

Vanuatu

Vanuatu ranks 191st out of 236 countries in terms of median age, with a population median age of 20.16 years as of 2020. This relatively low median age indicates a youthful population, which is characteristic of many developing nations.

The youthful demographic in Vanuatu can be attributed to several factors, including high fertility rates and a declining mortality rate, contributing to a larger proportion of the population being children and young adults. Additionally, the country has made significant strides in healthcare and education, which have positively influenced population growth dynamics.

As a Pacific island nation, Vanuatu faces unique challenges and opportunities related to its young population, such as the need for job creation and education to harness the potential of its youth. Interestingly, the median age in Vanuatu is significantly lower than the global median age, which was approximately 30.4 years in 2020, highlighting the demographic contrasts between developed and developing regions.

Mali

Mali ranks 233rd out of 236 countries in terms of median age of population, with a median age of just 15.12 years in 2020. This statistic highlights the country’s youthful demographic profile, which is one of the youngest in the world.

The low median age is primarily influenced by high birth rates and a relatively low life expectancy, factors that are common in many developing nations. In Mali, cultural norms favor larger families, and access to healthcare and education can be limited, contributing to higher fertility rates.

As a result, this youthful population presents both opportunities and challenges. While a young workforce can drive economic growth, it also necessitates significant investment in education, healthcare, and job creation to harness this potential effectively. Notably, Mali's population growth rate further underscores the need for strategic planning to accommodate its growing youth demographic.

Data Source

United Nations Population Division

The Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs conducts demographic research, supports intergovernmental processes at the United Nations in the area of population and development, and assists countries in developing their capacity to produce and analyse population data and information. The Division brings population issues to the attention of the international community by highlighting the central role of demographic trends in all aspects of sustainable development. The Division publishes datasets on the world’s population and analyzes global demographic trends.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Median age of population data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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