The International Day of Older Persons is observed on October 1 and every year HelpAge International releases its ranking on that day. The ranking is based on four domains that are key enablers of older people's wellbeing: income, health, capability and enabling environment.
"Croatia ranks low on the Index at 67 overall, significantly lower than its 2013 ranking (41). It performs moderately well in the health domain (49), with above average values on all health indicators for its region. It ranks low on the income security domain (66) - lower than its 2013 ranking due to revision of pension coverage data. It has the highest old age poverty rate in its region at 24.9%. It also ranks low on the enabling environment domain (72), with the lowest values for satisfaction with public transport (41%) compared to other countries in this region. It ranks lowest on the capability domain (77). This is lower than last year due to a fall in the employment rate to 36.7%, which is below the regional average," the report says.
The report notes that there is no social pension in Croatia. Social pensions are non-contributory cash transfers to older people, provided by government.
"Globally, Norway tops the Index this year, closely followed by Sweden. Apart from Japan (9) all the top 10 countries are again in Western Europe, North America and Australasia. Five new countries have been added - Bangladesh, Iraq, Mozambique, Uganda and Zambia."
"The worst place for an older person is Afghanistan (96). Just above it come Mozambique (95), West Bank and Gaza (94) and Malawi (93)."
The report covered 96 countries worldwide.