Switzerland offers fourth-best retirement conditions in the world

Switzerland ranks fourth in the Global Retirement Index 2026 published by Natixis Investment Managers in Geneva. With a score of 79 per cent, it has fallen from third place the previous year but remains among the countries worldwide whose citizens are best prepared for retirement. According to a statement, the ranking includes 44 countries and is based on 18 indicators divided into four sub-indices: financial security in retirement, material well-being, health, and quality of life.

Switzerland ranks among the top 10 in three of the four areas examined. In terms of health, it is placed second worldwide, with its score increasing from 91 to 93 per cent. In financial security, it holds third place, with a stable score of 74 per cent. Switzerland’s ranking for quality of life is 8th, with its score rising from 80 per cent last year to 82 per cent. Material well-being shows the greatest room for improvement: Switzerland has dropped eight places to 15th. In the life expectancy subcategory, however, the country ranks first globally, ahead of Japan.

The results for Switzerland are based on responses from 400 Swiss retail investors surveyed in 2025 and 150 Swiss financial advisors surveyed in 2026. Norway remains in first place for the second year in a row, with a score of 83 per cent, followed by Ireland with 81 per cent in second place, also unchanged from last year. The Netherlands recorded the largest increase in the top 10, climbing three places to third with an unchanged score of 79 per cent.

Among the major industrialized nations, Germany remains the highest-ranked, moving up one place to seventh worldwide with a score of 75 per cent. In terms of material well-being, Germany ranks eighth and seventh for quality of life. The United Kingdom is in 15th place with a score of 72 per cent. The U.S. has fallen three places and now ranks 24th, with a score of 68 per cent. Poland recorded one of the biggest gains of the year, climbing nine places to 19th.