Norway is the best place in the world to grow old

Norway, boat in fjord reflecting mountains

Norway has been named the best country in the world to grow old.

The HelpAge International's Global AgeWatch Index measured the social and economic welfare of people over 60 in 96 countries and revealed that Norway was the happiest place to age, followed by Sweden, Switzerland, Canada and Germany.

Britain was named the 11th best place to grow old and was beaten by the Netherlands, Iceland, the United States, Japan and New Zealand.

The worst places for the elderly were named as Afghanistan, Mozambique, West Bank and Gaza and Malawi.

People in Norway benefit from financial security, an efficient public transport system and a high level of employment among senior citizens.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, economist and global ageing specialist Gustavo Toshiaki said: "It's a combination of good management of natural resources coupled with planning ahead. They have identified the issues and are dealing with them."

According to the BBC, the UN says that the number of people aged 60 or over is expected to reach 1.4 billion by 2030.

More than 23 per cent of the British population is currently 60 or over and the Global AgeWatch report predicts that the figure will rise to 28 per cent by 2030.

So what's so great about Norway? These photos might give you a clue...