South Korea's centenarian population nearly triples in 10 years, with healthy habits cited as key to longevity

South Korea is witnessing a dramatic surge in its centenarian population, with the number of individuals aged 100 and above nearly tripling over the past decade. Official data reveals that as of November 1, 2023, there were 8,604 centenarians, a substantial increase from 3,159 in 2015. This means the rate of centenarians per 100,000 people has risen from 6.4 to 17.3.

The findings, released by the National Statistical Office, highlight that the primary drivers of this longevity are healthy eating habits and consistent, regular lifestyles. Notably, three out of every four centenarians surveyed reported never having consumed alcohol or tobacco throughout their lives. This emphasis on clean living appears to be a key factor in achieving such advanced age.

While women still overwhelmingly make up the centenarian demographic, accounting for 83.4% (7,176 individuals), the growth rate among men is particularly striking. The number of centenarian men increased by 233.6% compared to 2015, far outpacing the 162.8% rise seen among women. This suggests a narrowing gender gap in extreme longevity.

Geographically, the Gyeonggi Province leads with the highest number of centenarians at 2,052, followed by Seoul with 1,268 and Gyeongbuk with 559. The oldest respondent was an impressive 116 years old, underscoring the remarkable resilience of the human lifespan.