Centenarian

**Global Centenarian Trends:**
– The United Nations estimated 316,600 living centenarians worldwide in 2012.
– The number of centenarians is expected to increase substantially in the 21st century.
– The UN estimates there are currently 573,000 centenarians, almost quadruple the 2000 estimate.
– Japan is projected to have 272,000 to 1 million centenarians by 2050.
– Estimated centenarian populations vary by country, with countries like Japan, Italy, and the US having significant centenarian populations.
– Supercentenarians, individuals who reach 110 years, are exceptionally rare, with only about 1 in 1,000 centenarians achieving this milestone.

**Recognition and Celebrations of Centenarians:**
– Various cultures have traditions and blessings for longevity.
– Different countries have unique customs for celebrating longevity, including federal or state institutions acknowledging individuals on their 100th birthday.
– In the US, centenarians receive a congratulatory letter from the president, and a segment honoring centenarians is sponsored by Smuckers.
– European countries like Germany, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands have specific ways of acknowledging and celebrating centenarians.
– In British and Commonwealth realms, centenarians receive congratulations from the monarch on their 100th birthday.

**Health and Research on Centenarians:**
– Research suggests that healthy centenarians have high levels of vitamins A and E, with varying results in different studies.
– Studies show that DNA repair mechanisms in centenarians contribute to their longevity.
– Japanese bio-studies attribute factors like diet, lifestyle, and community care to the high centenarian population in Okinawa.
– Epigenetic studies indicate that centenarians exhibit younger epigenetic age compared to their chronological age.
– Various research studies from different countries explore the factors contributing to the longevity of centenarians.

**Historical and Cultural Perspectives on Centenarians:**
– Estimates of life expectancy in antiquity and rare references to individuals living past 100 years in ancient times.
– Media references and famous centenarians who achieve remarkable feats, often featured in news stories.
– Centenarians in antiquity and their significance in historical contexts.
– British traditions of sending greetings to centenarians established by royalty and continuing to this day.
– Cultural historians and researchers studying societal perceptions of centenarians.

**Regional Centenarian Demographics:**
– Data on centenarians in various countries like China, Japan, Barbados, France, and the US.
– Population statistics in Europe, including countries like Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Italy.
– Insights from Asia on centenarian populations in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Russia, South Korea, and Japan.
– Demographics in other regions like New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Romania, and Slovenia provide unique perspectives on centenarian populations.
– Specific demographic and population figures from different regions around the world.