The Spectator

How many countries are led by an octogenarian?

issue 17 February 2024

Gerontocracies

How many countries are led by an octogenarian?

– Out of 187 states assessed in March last year, 10 had heads of government aged over 80. The oldest – who is still in power, is the president of Cameroon, Paul Biya, who celebrated his 91st birthday this week.

– The median age of a world leader in March last year was 62, with 18% in their forties, 22% in their fifties, 35% in their sixties and 18% in their seventies.

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