Norway Tops Global Retirement Index While Switzerland Faces Challenges
What happened
The findings of the Global Retirement Index 2026, conducted by Natexis, placed Norway as the best country to retire to, followed by Ireland and the Netherlands. The report noted that Switzerland performed less well, particularly regarding material prosperity. This decline was attributed to the country's persistently low-interest rate environment and governance issues.
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Why it matters
The study indicated that Switzerland's overall score was negatively impacted by its low-interest rate environment, which depresses returns on savings. Furthermore, the report cited rising unemployment and the squeeze on Switzerland’s export-reliant economy due to US trade tariffs and a strong Swiss franc.
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Who's involved
- NorwayCountry ranked highest in the Global Retirement Index 2026.
- SwitzerlandCountry whose ranking was negatively affected by low returns and governance issues.
- IrelandCountry ranked higher than Switzerland in the Global Retirement Index 2026.
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The entities involved
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Norway
country in Northern Europe
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Switzerland
country in Central Europe
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Ireland
sovereign state in Northwestern Europe
Related events
- A series of global rankings were published comparing the Netherlands unfavorably to several other countries, including Finland, Norway, Namibia, and Iceland.
- Comparative performance in a global index (GRI) shows Norway maintaining the top spot while Finland records the steepest fall, contrasting with Iceland's decline.
- Stock market performance on August 17, 2026, showed Luxembourg and Norway gaining strongly, while Turkey and Taiwan recorded declines.