With experts predicting the global population will soar to 11 billion by the end of the century, countries are having to do more to take care of people of all ages.

To track how governments are managing this, charity Age International has released its third annual Global AgeWatch Index which ranks countries in terms of quality of life and health.

Switzerland has taken the top spot from last year's number one Norway, while the UK has moved up a place to tenth. The US sits in ninth.

The Global AgeWatch index ranks 96 countries by studying four key areas - income security, health, education and employment opportunities, and 'social connectedness'. Afghanistan remains the worst country for an older person. Countries in Africa make up half of those with low income security rankings and poor health

Meanwhile, Afghanistan remains the worst country for an older person.

The index ranks 96 countries by studying four key areas - income security, health, education and employment opportunities, and 'social connectedness'.

Across the board, countries whose governments have invested in population ageing and are planning for the future top the index such as Iceland and Canada.

These countries score highly in all four areas, have social pensions, accessible healthcare, flexible working as well as life-long learning and have created an enabling environment for all ages.

GLOBAL POPULATION TO SOAR TO 11 BILLION BY 2100 The global population is set to reach 11 billion by the end of the century - and Africans will make up half of this number, a UN study predicts. By 2050, the global population will rise from 7.3 billion to 9.7 billion and by 2100, Africa’s current population of 1.2 billion is expected to explode to 5.6 billion. Experts predict such rapid growth will boost pollution, make resources scarce and fuel unemployment, poverty, crime and political unrest. The predictions were made by John Wilmoth, the director of the United Nations Population Division, at the 2015 Joint Statistical Meetings in Seattle. His presentation, 'Populations Projections by the United Nations', was made as part of the session titled 'Better Demographic Forecasts, Better Policy Decisions'. Advertisement

The UK performed well in the social environment category, coming in at third overall, but slipped from 11th to 14th in 'income security.'

The UK has seen the most progression in the 'capability' domain for education status and employment levels, moving up three places from 23rd to 20th.

Countries in Africa make up half of those with low income security rankings and poor health results.

And Greece, in 79th place, Venezuela (76) and Turkey (75) are in a similar position to sub-Saharan African and Asian countries.

Chris Roles, Director of Age International, said: 'The Global AgeWatch Index allows us to focus much-needed attention on the importance of responding to the rapidly growing numbers and proportion of older people in the world.

'It shows us which countries are preparing well for this unprecedented demographic change and demonstrates that when governments plan ahead and invest in their ageing populations, society as a whole benefits.'

Globally, the proportion of older people is growing.

By 2050, 46 of the 96 countries in the index will be classed as 'hyper-ageing', which means 30 per cent or more of their populations will be aged 60 and over.

The report is the third annual index to be released by charity Age International. Switzerland has taken the top spot from last year's number one Norway, while the UK has moved up a place to tenth. The US sits in ninth

By 2050, 46 of the 96 countries in the index will be classed as 'hyper-ageing', which means 30 per cent or more of their populations are aged 60 and over. The differences between 2015 and 2050 are pictured

Comparative international data on basic indicators are only available for 96 countries, while 98 countries could not be included due to a lack of data.

Poverty rates in old age are missing from international data sets in at least 93 countries and in Africa, data was only available for 11 out of 54 countries, for example.

'Millions of older people are invisible, living their lives in countries where information on the quality of older age and the experience of ageing is missing from international data sets,' continued Mr Roles.

'We need better national, regional and global data, broken down by age and gender, if we are to fully understand what is happening to people in later life in all parts of the world.

'Without this, older people, and especially older women, will continue to be marginalised in many parts of the world.'

This year, the index also shows that the gap in life expectancy at age 60 between countries at the top and bottom of the index has widened from 5.7 years in 1990 to 7.3 years 2012.

This year, the index shows that the gap in life expectancy at age 60 between countries at the top and bottom of the index has widened from 5.7 years in 1990 to 7.3 years 2012. Gender inequality in older age is also pronounced. Globally, 46.8% of women aged 55 to 64 are economically active, compared with 73.5% of men

This inequality is expected to grow unless there is more focus on older people and better targeted policies, the report added.

Gender inequality in older age is also pronounced.

Globally, 46.8 per cent of women aged 55 to 64 are economically active, compared with 73.5 per cent of men.

Mr Role concluded: 'With the increasing number of older people and longer life-spans, the urgency for international planners to prepare for ageing populations is growing.'

Later this month, governments will be signing up to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), committing to universal goals and targets until 2030.

These goals provide an opportunity for governments around the world to think ahead and make commitments that will improve the economic and social wellbeing of those in later life.

The 17 goals and 169 targets of the SDGs will be adopted at the United Nations at the end of September.