Top 10 Oldest Presidents in the World 2024(October 2024)

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Published 7th October 2024

Top 10 Oldest Presidents in the World in 2024

As we move through 2024, the world witnesses many leaders who continue to hold significant influence despite their advanced age. These heads of state, with decades of leadership experience, have shaped their countries through monumental changes. Here’s a look at the oldest presidents in the world in 2024, highlighting their enduring presence in global politics.

1. Paul Biya – Cameroon (91 Years Old)
Paul Biya, the President of Cameroon, currently holds the title of the oldest president in the world in 2024. Serving as Cameroon’s president since 1982, Biya has governed for over four decades. His leadership is known for its stability, though critics argue it leans towards authoritarianism. Despite his age, Biya continues to play a pivotal role in the country’s politics, showing no intention of stepping down.

2. Mahmoud Abbas – Palestine (88 Years Old)
Mahmoud Abbas, born in 1935, is the President of the State of Palestine and the Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization. Abbas has been a significant figure in Middle Eastern politics since 2005, seeking peaceful resolutions to the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict. As the second oldest president in 2024, he remains central to the Palestinian cause.

3. Michel Aoun – Lebanon (90 Years Old)
Born in 1933, Michel Aoun became Lebanon’s president in 2016. His presidency has faced numerous challenges, including Lebanon’s economic crisis and political instability. Despite these hurdles, Aoun remains a key figure in Lebanese politics, and at 90, he stands as one of the oldest serving leaders in the world.

4. Emmerson Mnangagwa – Zimbabwe (81 Years Old)
Emmerson Mnangagwa, born in 1942, assumed the presidency of Zimbabwe in 2017 following the ousting of Robert Mugabe. At 81, Mnangagwa’s leadership has been both lauded for economic reforms and criticized for authoritarian practices. His influence continues to shape the political landscape of Zimbabwe in 2024.

5. Sergio Mattarella – Italy (82 Years Old)
Sergio Mattarella, born in 1941, is the President of Italy and has held the position since 2015. Known for his non-partisan stance and commitment to democratic values, Mattarella is highly respected both within Italy and across Europe. His leadership has been crucial in maintaining stability in Italy through various political crises.

6. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo – Equatorial Guinea (81 Years Old)
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, born in 1942, has ruled Equatorial Guinea since 1979, making him one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state. His presidency, however, has been marked by controversy, with accusations of corruption and human rights abuses. Despite these concerns, Obiang’s leadership remains firmly entrenched in Equatorial Guinea.

7. Hassanal Bolkiah – Brunei (77 Years Old)
Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, born in 1946, is one of the oldest monarchs in 2024. He has ruled Brunei since 1967, overseeing the nation’s significant wealth due to its oil reserves. His leadership is characterized by conservatism and traditional values, though his vast wealth has garnered international attention.

8. Bashar al-Assad – Syria (58 Years Old)
While younger than others on this list, Bashar al-Assad has been the President of Syria since 2000. His presidency has been marked by the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011. Assad, at 58, remains one of the most controversial leaders in the Middle East, but his long tenure ensures his place among the longest-standing heads of state.

9. Yoweri Museveni – Uganda (79 Years Old)
Yoweri Museveni, born in 1944, has served as Uganda’s president since 1986, making him one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders. While his presidency has been praised for economic improvements, it has also faced criticism for his extended stay in power and the political repression of his opponents.

10. Joe Biden – United States (82 Years Old)
Joe Biden, born in 1942, became the oldest president in U.S. history when he took office in 2020 at the age of 78. Now 82, Biden continues to lead the United States through a period of significant global and domestic challenges. His presidency remains influential, both within the U.S. and on the global stage, as he navigates issues such as climate change, economic recovery, and international diplomacy.

Why Age Plays a Role in Leadership

Older leaders often carry with them years of governance experience, providing their nations with stability and historical insight. However, age also brings with it the challenges of maintaining both physical and mental health, especially when managing the demands of running a country. While some of these presidents have faced criticism for their extended tenures, their leadership continues to shape the future of their nations.

List

     Currently in office

No.	Name	State	Position	Birth	Age	Living as of
1	Guillermo Rodríguez	Ecuador	Acting President (1972–1976)	4 Nov 1923	100 years, 338 days	4 Nov 2023[2]
2	Khamtai Siphandone	Laos	Prime Minister (1991–1998)Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Party (1992–2006)President (1998–2006)	8 Feb 1924	100 years, 242 days	8 Feb 2024[4]
3	Tomiichi Murayama	Japan	Prime Minister (1994–1996)	3 Mar 1924	100 years, 218 days	3 Mar 2024[5]
4	Jimmy Carter	United States	President (1977–1981)	1 Oct 1924	100 years, 6 days	1 Oct 2024[6]
5	Mahathir Mohamad	Malaysia	Prime Minister (1981–2003; 2018–2020)	10 Jul 1925	99 years, 89 days	18 Jul 2024[7]
6	Mohammad Hasan Sharq	Afghanistan	Chairman of the Council of Ministers (1988–1989)	17 Jul 1925	99 years, 82 days	30 Aug 2016[8]
7	Abdoulaye Wade	Senegal	President (2000–2012)	29 May 1926	98 years, 131 days	29 May 2024[9]
8	Valdas Adamkus	Lithuania	President (1998–2003; 2004–2009)	3 Nov 1926	97 years, 339 days	25 Jun 2024[10]
9	Raif Dizdarević	Yugoslavia	President of the Presidency (1988–1989)	9 Dec 1926	97 years, 303 days	23 May 2024[11]
10	Thanin Kraivichien	Thailand	Prime Minister (1976–1977)	5 Apr 1927	97 years, 185 days	11 Jan 2023[12]
11	Kim Yong-nam	North Korea	Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly (1998–2019)	4 Feb 1928	96 years, 246 days	12 Jul 2024[13]
12	Arnold Rüütel	Estonia	Chairman of the Supreme Council (1991–1992)President (2001–2006)	10 May 1928	96 years, 150 days	10 May 2024[14]
13	Arthur Foulkes	Bahamas	Governor-General (2010–2014)	11 May 1928	96 years, 149 days	11 May 2024[15]
14	Péter Boross	Hungary	Prime Minister (1993–1994)	27 Aug 1928	96 years, 41 days	27 Aug 2023[16]
15	Zhu Rongji	China	Premier of the State Council (1998–2003)	23 Oct 1928	95 years, 350 days	7 Feb 2024[17]
16	Édouard Balladur	France	Prime Minister (1993–1995)	2 May 1929	95 years, 158 days	5 May 2024[18]
17	Sam Nujoma	Namibia	President (1990–2005)	12 May 1929	95 years, 148 days	19 Jul 2024[19]
18	Orville Turnquest	Bahamas	Governor-General (1995–2001)	19 Jul 1929	95 years, 80 days	20 Feb 2023[20]
19	Jamshid bin Abdullah	Zanzibar	Sultan (1963–1964)	16 Sep 1929	95 years, 21 days	16 Sep 2020[21]
20	Violeta Chamorro	Nicaragua	Member of the Junta of National Reconstruction (1979–1980)President (1990–1997)	18 Oct 1929	94 years, 355 days	24 May 2024[22]
21	Gombojavyn Ochirbat	Mongolia	General Secretary of the People’s Revolutionary Party (1990)	15 Nov 1929	94 years, 327 days	6 Dec 2021[23]
22	Alfred Moisiu	Albania	President (2002–2007)	1 Dec 1929	94 years, 311 days	8 Apr 2024[24]
23	Lee Hyun-jae	South Korea	Prime Minister (1988)	20 Dec 1929	94 years, 292 days	27 Apr 2024[25]
	Milan Panić	Yugoslavia	Federal Prime Minister (1992–1993)			30 May 2023[26]
25	Efraín Goldenberg	Peru	Prime Minister (1994–1995)	28 Dec 1929	94 years, 284 days	1 Jul 2024[27]
26	Ahmed Osman	Morocco	Prime Minister (1972–1979)	3 Jan 1930	94 years, 278 days	2 Jun 2020[28]
27	Ion Iliescu	Romania	Chairman of the National Salvation Front Council (1989–1990)President of the Provisional National Unity Council (1990)President (1990–1996; 2000–2004)	3 Mar 1930	94 years, 218 days	3 Mar 2024[29]
28	Vigdís Finnbogadóttir	Iceland	President (1980–1996)	15 Apr 1930	94 years, 175 days	24 Jun 2024[30]
29	José Sarney	Brazil	President (1985–1990)	24 Apr 1930	94 years, 166 days	24 Apr 2024[31]
30	Kesang Choden	Bhutan	Regent (1972)	21 May 1930	94 years, 139 days	9 Oct 2023[32]
31	Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada	Bolivia	President (1993–1997; 2002–2003)	1 Jul 1930	94 years, 98 days	18 Aug 2024[33]
32	Ivy Dumont	Bahamas	Acting Governor-General (2001–2002)Governor-General (2002–2005)	2 Oct 1930	94 years, 5 days	8 Aug 2024[34]
33	Mabandla Dlamini	Swaziland	Prime Minister (1979–1983)	11 Nov 1930	93 years, 331 days	14 Jan 2024[35]
34	Choe Yong-rim	North Korea	Premier (2010–2013)	20 Nov 1930	93 years, 322 days	27 Jul 2023[36]
35	Cesar Virata	Philippines	Prime Minister (1981–1986)	12 Dec 1930	93 years, 300 days	24 Jan 2024[37]
36	William Deane	Australia	Governor-General (1996–2001)	4 Jan 1931	93 years, 277 days	7 Mar 2024[38]
	Cleopa Msuya	Tanzania	Prime Minister (1980–1983; 1994–1995)			8 Apr 2024[39]
38	Philip Greaves	Barbados	Acting Governor-General (2017–2018)	19 Jan 1931	93 years, 262 days	2 Jan 2022[40]
39	Isabel Perón	Argentina	President (1974–1976)	4 Feb 1931	93 years, 246 days	23 Mar 2024[41]
40	Lamberto Dini	Italy	Prime Minister (1995–1996)	1 Mar 1931	93 years, 220 days	10 May 2024[42]
41	Elliott Belgrave	Barbados	Acting Governor-General (2011–2012)Governor-General (2012–2017)	16 Mar 1931	93 years, 205 days	16 Mar 2018[43]
42	George Vassiliou	Cyprus	President (1988–1993)	20 May 1931	93 years, 140 days	15 Mar 2024[44]
43	Raúl Castro	Cuba	President of the Council of State (2006–2018)President of the Council of Ministers (2006–2018)First Secretary of the Communist Party (2011–2021)	3 Jun 1931	93 years, 126 days	3 Jun 2024[45]
44	Fernando Henrique Cardoso	Brazil	President (1995–2003)	18 Jun 1931	93 years, 111 days	19 Jun 2024[46]
45	Khieu Samphan	Democratic Kampuchea	Acting Prime Minister (1976)Chairman of the State Presidium (1976–1979)	28 Jul 1931	93 years, 71 days	10 Jan 2024[47]
46	Pié Masumbuko	Burundi	Acting Prime Minister (1965)	29 Sep 1931	93 years, 8 days	10 Apr 2023[48]
47	Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar	Bangladesh	Acting President (2002)	1 Dec 1931	92 years, 311 days	10 May 2024[49]
48	Edmund Lawrence	Saint Kitts and Nevis	Governor-General (2013–2015)	14 Feb 1932	92 years, 236 days	4 Nov 2022[50]
49	Tang Fei	Taiwan	President of the Executive Yuan (2000)	15 Mar 1932	92 years, 206 days	17 Jan 2021[51]
50	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh	Thailand	Prime Minister (1996–1997)	15 May 1932	92 years, 145 days	4 May 2024[52]
51	Marguerite Pindling	Bahamas	Governor-General (2014–2019)	26 Jun 1932	92 years, 103 days	14 Feb 2024[53]
52	Anand Panyarachun	Thailand	Prime Minister (1991–1992; 1992)	9 Aug 1932	92 years, 59 days	5 Aug 2024[54]
53	Sirikit		Regent (1956)	12 Aug 1932	92 years, 56 days	12 Aug 2024[55]
54	Gavril Dejeu	Romania	Acting Prime Minister (1998)	11 Sep 1932	92 years, 26 days	4 Mar 2024[56]
55	Manmohan Singh	India	Prime Minister (2004–2014)	26 Sep 1932	92 years, 11 days	26 Sep 2024[57]
56	Vytautas Landsbergis	Lithuania	Chairman of the Supreme Council (1991–1992)	18 Oct 1932	91 years, 355 days	11 Mar 2024[58]
57	Vitold Fokin	Ukraine	Prime Minister (1991–1992)	25 Oct 1932	91 years, 348 days	9 Oct 2023[59]
58	Ugo Mifsud Bonnici	Malta	President (1994–1999)	8 Nov 1932	91 years, 334 days	12 Apr 2024[60]
59	Kim Suk-soo	South Korea	Prime Minister (2002–2003)	20 Nov 1932	91 years, 322 days	27 Jan 2024[61]
	Colville Young	Belize	Governor-General (1993–2021)			28 Dec 2023[62]
61	Than Shwe	Myanmar	Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (1992–2011)Prime Minister (1992–2003)Chairman of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (1993–2011)	2 Feb 1933	91 years, 248 days	15 Aug 2024[63]
62	Paul Biya	Cameroon	Prime Minister (1975–1982)President (1982–present)	13 Feb 1933	91 years, 237 days	23 Aug 2024[3]
63	Mark Eyskens	Belgium	Prime Minister (1981)	29 Apr 1933	91 years, 161 days	1 May 2024[64]
64	H. D. Deve Gowda	India	Prime Minister (1996–1997)	18 May 1933	91 years, 142 days	26 Jul 2024[65]
65	Hüsamettin Cindoruk	Turkey	Acting President (1993)	8 Jun 1933	91 years, 121 days	13 Sep 2024[66]
66	Fouad Mebazaa	Tunisia	Acting President (2011)	15 Jun 1933	91 years, 114 days	1 Mar 2024[67]
67	Dumaagiin Sodnom	Mongolia	Chairman of the Council of Ministers (1984–1990)	14 Jul 1933	91 years, 85 days	9 May 2024[68]
68	Suchinda Kraprayoon	Thailand	Prime Minister (1992)	6 Aug 1933	91 years, 62 days	24 Mar 2019[69]
69	Rubén Darío Paredes	Panama	Commander of the National Guard (1982–1983)	11 Aug 1933	91 years, 57 days	16 Mar 2023[70]
70	Arnold Koller	Switzerland	Federal Council Member (1986–1999)President (1990; 1997)	29 Aug 1933	91 years, 39 days	29 Aug 2023[71]
71	Mátyás Szűrös	Hungary	Provisional President (1989–1990)	11 Sep 1933	91 years, 26 days	11 May 2024[72]
72	Michel Aoun	Lebanon	President (2016–2022)[β]	30 Sep 1933	91 years, 7 days	19 Feb 2024[73]
73	Abel Pacheco	Costa Rica	President (2002–2006)	22 Dec 1933	90 years, 290 days	21 Jun 2024[74]
74	Akihito	Japan	Emperor (1989–2019)	23 Dec 1933	90 years, 289 days	23 Aug 2024[75]
75	Rudolf Schuster	Slovakia	President (1999–2004)	4 Jan 1934	90 years, 277 days	4 Jan 2024[76]
76	Jean Chrétien	Canada	Prime Minister (1993–2003)	11 Jan 1934	90 years, 270 days	24 Mar 2024[77]
77	Édith Cresson	France	Prime Minister (1991–1992)	27 Jan 1934	90 years, 254 days	27 Jan 2024[78]
78	Eddie Fenech Adami	Malta	Prime Minister (1987–1996; 1998–2004)President (2004–2009)	7 Feb 1934	90 years, 243 days	7 Feb 2024[79]
79	Mohamed Ennaceur	Tunisia	Acting President (2019)	21 Mar 1934	90 years, 200 days	30 May 2024[80]
80	J. Y. Pillay	Singapore	Acting President (2017)	30 Mar 1934	90 years, 191 days	28 Apr 2024[81]
81	John Malecela	Tanzania	Prime Minister (1990–1994)	19 Apr 1934	90 years, 171 days	21 Apr 2024[82]
82	Pedro Pires	Cape Verde	Prime Minister (1975–1991)President (2001–2011)	29 Apr 1934	90 years, 161 days	29 Apr 2024[83]
83	Lee Hong-koo	South Korea	Prime Minister (1994–1995)	9 May 1934	90 years, 151 days	8 Jan 2024[84]
84	Heng Samrin	Kampuchea Cambodia	President of the Council of State (1979–1992)General Secretary of the People’s Revolutionary Party (1981–1991)	25 May 1934	90 years, 135 days	30 Mar 2024[85]
85	Monica Dacon	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Acting Governor-General (2002)	4 Jun 1934	90 years, 125 days	26 Feb 2019[86]
86	Albert II	Belgium	King (1993–2013)	6 Jun 1934	90 years, 123 days	6 Jun 2024[87]
87	Désiré Rakotoarijaona	Madagascar	Prime Minister (1977–1988)	19 Jun 1934	90 years, 110 days	8 Aug 2015[88]
88	Ricardo de la Espriella	Panama	President (1982–1984)	5 Sep 1934	90 years, 32 days	7 Sep 2017[89]
89	Apas Jumagulov	Kyrgyzstan	Prime Minister (1993–1998)	19 Sep 1934	90 years, 18 days	19 Sep 2024[90]
90	Eugene Koffi Adoboli	Togo	Prime Minister (1999–2000)	3 Oct 1934	90 years, 4 days	6 Sep 2020[91]
91	Yakubu Gowon	Nigeria	Head of the Federal Military Government (1966–1975)	19 Oct 1934	89 years, 354 days	22 Feb 2024[92]
92	Ingvar Carlsson	Sweden	Prime Minister (1986–1991; 1994–1996)	9 Nov 1934	89 years, 333 days	4 Jun 2024[93]
	Hamilton Green	Guyana	Prime Minister (1985–1992)			29 Feb 2024[94]
94	Nicéphore Soglo	Benin	Acting Prime Minister (1990–1991)President (1991–1996)	29 Nov 1934	89 years, 313 days	5 Feb 2024[95]
95	Pratibha Patil	India	President (2007–2012)	19 Dec 1934	89 years, 293 days	14 Mar 2024[96]
96	Stjepan Mesić	Yugoslavia Croatia	President of the Presidency (1991)President (2000–2010)	24 Dec 1934	89 years, 288 days	27 Apr 2024[97]
97	António Ramalho Eanes	Portugal	President of the Revolutionary Council (1976–1982)President (1976–1986)	25 Jan 1935	89 years, 256 days	26 Apr 2024[98]
98	Artur Rasizade	Azerbaijan	Prime Minister (1996–2003; 2003–2018)[γ]	26 Feb 1935	89 years, 224 days	22 Jun 2024[99]
99	Mohammed Basindawa	Yemen	Prime Minister (2011–2014)	4 Apr 1935	89 years, 186 days	22 May 2024[100]
100	Peter Hollingworth	Australia	Governor-General (2001–2003)	10 Apr 1935	89 years, 180 days	1 Aug 2024[101]
	P. J. Patterson	Jamaica	Prime Minister (1992–2006)			10 Apr 2024[102]

Addendum

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Uncertain date of birth

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Name	State	Position	Birth	Age	Living as of
Abdul Rauf al-Kasm	Syria	Prime Minister (1980–1987)	1932	91 years, 281 days to92 years, 280 days	29 Jan 2020[103]
Severino Tura	San Marino	Captain Regent (1985)	1934	89 years, 281 days to90 years, 280 days	7 Aug 2018[104]

Unclear status as state leaders

Name	State	Position	Birth	Age	Living as of
César Yanes Urías	El Salvador	Member of the Junta of Government (1960–1961)	24 Apr 1920	104 years, 166 days	11 Oct 2018[105]
Ali Haroun	Algeria	Member of the High Council of State (1992–1994)	8 Feb 1927	97 years, 242 days	4 Mar 2024[106]
Laurie Greig	Cook Islands	Acting Queen’s Representative (2000–2001)	24 Feb 1929	95 years, 226 days	10 Jul 2024[107]
Michael J. Williams	Trinidad and Tobago	Acting President during absence (1987)	16 Oct 1929	94 years, 357 days	7 Oct 2022[108]
Christian Schwarz-Schilling	Bosnia and Herzegovina	High Representative (2006–2007)	19 Nov 1930	93 years, 323 days	23 Apr 2024[109]
Karan Singh	Jammu and Kashmir	Prince Regent (1949–1952)	9 Mar 1931	93 years, 212 days	4 Mar 2024[110]
Nicola Mancino	Italy	President of the Senate acting as head of state (1999)	15 Oct 1931	92 years, 358 days	7 Jul 2023[111]
Dumitru Mazilu	Romania	Member of the National Salvation Front Council (1989–1990)	24 Jun 1934	90 years, 105 days	24 Dec 2021[112]
Tarcisio Bertone	Vatican City	Camerlengo during papal vacancy (2013)	2 Dec 1934	89 years, 310 days	22 Sep 2023[113]
Giovanni Lajolo		President of the Governorate (2006–2011)	3 Jan 1935	89 years, 278 days	4 Dec 2023[114]
Brian Mullooly	Ireland	Member of the Presidential Commission during vacancy (1997)	21 Feb 1935	89 years, 229 days	1 Jan 2019[115]

Unclear status as state leaders with an uncertain date of birth

Name	State	Position	Birth	Age	Living as of
Waldo Bernal Pereira [es]	Bolivia	Member of the Junta of Commanders of the Armed Forces (1980)[ε]Member of the Junta of Commanders of the Armed Forces (1981)	1931 or 1934	92 years, 281 days to93 years, 280 days; or89 years, 281 days to90 years, 280 days	30 Apr 2018[116]
Félix Mouzabakani	Congo-Brazzaville	Member of the Provisional Government (1963)[ζ]	1934	89 years, 281 days to90 years, 280 days	7 Nov 2020[117]

See also

[edit]

• List of centenarians (politicians and civil servants)
• List of current heads of state and government
• List of current state leaders by date of assumption of office
• List of longest-reigning monarchs
• List of youngest state leaders since 1900
• Lists of state leaders by age
• Lists of state leaders
• Records of heads of state
• Gerontocracy

Conclusion

The oldest presidents in the world in 2024 highlight the ongoing role that senior leaders play in global politics. Their decades of experience often bring wisdom, yet their extended rule can sometimes lead to controversy. In a world that values both experience and vitality, these leaders remain key players, influencing both domestic and international affairs.

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