As of 1 January 2019, 121,759 people over the age of 60 live in Luxembourg, 19.8% of the total population. The oldest woman in the country celebrated her 110th birthday, and according to statistics, the oldest man began his 111th year. Furthermore, at 53.1%, there are more women in this ‘senior’ category than there are men.
Since 2011, the Grand Duchy has witnessed a slight rise (0.7%) in the number of elderly people, from 19.1% to 19.8%, albeit a slower increase than the 28 EU Member State average. It seems that the arrival of young people who come to Luxembourg to work and live compensates for this increase.
Differences are found across the country’s various municipalities. Fischbach, for example, counts 12.7% of seniors while this figure rises to 30.1% in Mondorf. The distribution of institutions and homes for the elderly also has a significant impact on these numbers. Other popular areas are Niederanven, Echternach and Remich.
The current life expectancy currently lies between 80 - 84 years, a 10 year climb for men and 7,8 year climb for women since the 1980s. 61.2% of seniors are married and 20.3% of them are widowed. In terms of divorces, it there has been a sharp increase of separations since 1981, with the erstwhile figure of 1.3% grew to 11% in 2019. 117 divorces were pronounced among couples over 60 in 2018, which represents 9.5% of 1,230 divorces in Luxembourg.
In terms of professional activity, 40% of 55- to 64-year-olds were employed in 2018, an increase of 10% since 2005, putting Luxembourg last in the European rankings, who purport a significantly higher number of older people still active in the workplace.
Of all people aged 60 to 74, 86% have used the internet in the last three months. The most popular activities here include e-mails, online searches and banks, social networks, music, telephone conversations and games. 61% of these seniors have ordered something online.
A little over half still has regular contact with other family members, with 70% seeing family once a month and friends even more frequently. Around 50% receive visits from friends once a week, 75% a couple of times a month. 5% of residents feel lonely and are only visited rarely, if at all.
Older people living alone spend an average of €3,902 per month, which is more than people under 60 whose monthly expenses average out at €2,554. 60-64 year-olds spend about €4,200 a year on holidays, a budget that has seen an increase of €400 in recent years. In turn, 70-74 year-olds spend €3,400 euros per year and 75-79 year-olds spend €2,800. Although the holiday destinations vary, it seems comfort is key for senior travellers, with more than half staying in hotels while travelling.
About 50% of senior citizens consider themselves in good health, and 69% exercise at least once a week. 41% of seniors are overweight, 36% are of normal weight and 21% are obese.
14% of seniors smoke - an average of 15 cigarettes a day - with 3% of them only smoking sporadically.
In terms of road accidents, seniors were involved in 11%, 8% of whom were under the influence of alcohol.
Considering these results it seems that, in general, seniors are very satisfied with their life in Luxembourg.
