France continues to see mass protests over President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to raise the state pension age from 62 to 64 by 2030.

Around 16% of the country’s power supply was blocked amid protests earlier this week, as thousands continued to march through the streets.

Ring roads were shut and ports blocked across France earlier this month following protests against President Macron after he used an emergency presidential decree to raise the retirement age.

By 9am on Friday, March 17, the Paris ring road, the port of Calais and numerous oil refineries were shut down. This came after unions and protesters sought to bring France to a standstill.

Initial reports estimated that more than one million were involved in the rallies.

Train and metro services, including the Eurostar, were also cancelled, with many schools closed.

Mr Macron forced through legislation to raise the state pension age from 62 to 64 — but what are the highest and lowest pension ages around the world?

What are the highest and lowest pension ages around the world?

In 2019, the latest period for which comparable data is available, the average retirement age in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (Oecd) countries was 64 years. The Oecd is an intergovernmental organisation with 38 member countries, including the US and the UK.

Countries with the highest pension ages

Greece is among the countries with the highest retirement age in the world: 67 for men and women. Workers can claim full pension benefits only if they have contributed to the pension plan for at least 15 years (equivalent to 4,500 working days).

Denmark, Iceland, Israel, and Italy also have retirement ages of 67.

For anyone born in 1960 and later, the US Social Security Administration states that the current retirement age in the US is also 67.

Americans’ retirement age is 66 if they were born between 1943 and 1954, and 66-and-a-half if they were born in 1955. Starting in 1955, the retirement age gradually rises by two months a year until 1959.

The current retirement age in Ireland is 66.

Countries with the lowest pension ages

Only four countries have a state retirement age below 60 years old.

Sri Lanka has one of the lowest pension ages in the world, with workers able to clock off at 55.

Indonesia and Nepal follow closely behind, with retirement ages of 58.

In fourth place is Bangladesh, with a pension age of 59.

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What is the current retirement age in the UK?

The current state pension retirement age in the UK is 66.

The state pension age was due to rise due to 68 from 2044. However, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride told the Commons on March 30 that this change would be delayed until after the next general election.

He told MPs: “Given the level of uncertainty about the data on life expectancy, labour markets and the public finances, and the significance of these decisions on the lives of millions of people, I am mindful a different decision might be appropriate once these factors are clearer.

“I therefore plan for a further review to be undertaken within two years of the next Parliament to consider the rise to age 68 again.”

A previous Government review in 2017 had suggested the the state pension age could rise to 68 by 2039, but campaigners warned that would plunge tens of thousands of older workers into poverty.

A phased increase in state pension age from 66 to 67 by 2028, is already planned.

You can keep working after you reach the state pension age in the UK.