A centenarian is a person who has reached the age of 100. Because life expectancies at birth worldwide are well below 100, the term is invariably associated with longevity. The United Nations estimated that there were 316,600 living centenarians worldwide in 2012, and 573,000 in 2020, almost quadruple the 2000 estimate of 151,000.
As world population and life expectancy continue to increase, the number of centenarians is expected to increase substantially in the 21st century. According to the Office of National Statistics in the United Kingdom, one-third of babies born in the country in 2013 are expected to live to 100.
According to a 1998 United Nations demographic survey, Japan is expected to have 272,000 centenarians by 2050; other sources suggest that the number could be closer to 1 million. The incidence of centenarians in Japan was one per 3,522 people in 2008.De plus en plus de centenaires au Japon (PDF) . Agence France Presse via Avmaroc.com. 12 September 2008. Retrieved 24 February 2013.
In Japan (as in most countries), the population of centenarians is highly skewed towards women. Japan in fiscal year 2016 had 57,525 female centenarians, while there were 8,167 males, a ratio of 7:1. The increase of centenarians was even more skewed, at 11.6:1.
Worldwide incidence by country The total number of centenarians in the world is uncertain. The Population Division of the United Nations estimated that there were 23,000 in 1950, 110,000 in 1990, 150,000 in 1995, 209,000 in 2000, 324,000 in 2005,"World Population Prospects: The 2008 Revision" . United Nations. Retrieved 24 February 2013. 455,000 in 2009,"World Population Ageing 2009" . (PDF) ST/ESA/SER.A/295. Population Division – Department of Economic and Social Affairs. United Nations. October 2010. p.27. 675,000 in 2019 and 935,000 in 2024.
These older estimates, however, did not take into account downward adjustments of national estimates made by several countries such as the United States. The UN estimated in 2012, as a result of these adjustments, that there were only 316,600 centenarians worldwide. The following table gives estimated centenarian populations by country, including both the latest and the earliest known estimates, where available.
A study which received a 2024 Ig Nobel Prize found these numbers are inflated by welfare and pension fraud and poor record-keeping, neither of which are uniform across jurisdictions.
Country Latest estimate (year) Earlier estimates (year) Centenarians per100,000 peopleAndorra 7 (2002) – 10.2Argentina6,043 (2025) 234 (1869); 863 (1947) 12.9Australia 7,345(2025)50 (1901) 26.6Austria 1,841 (2026)232 (1990), 25 (1960) 40.5Barbados 114 (2016)Nationnews « Barbados home to over 100 centenarians » CentenariansofBarbados.com, Government of Barbados – 39.9Belgium 3,172 (2025)23 (1950) 26.8Brazil 37,814 (2022) 7,146 (1872) 12.5Bulgaria 353 (2022) 233 (2010) 5.5Cambodia 3,143 (2019) – 20.2Canada 12,281 (2025) – 29.5China54,166 (2013) 4,469 (1990), 17,800 (2007)Lee, Sharon. "17.8 thousand centenarians in China". Rednet.cn. 30 December 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2013. 4.0Colombia19,400 (2023)–36.9Croatia944 (2023)244 (2013)23.3Czech Republic977 (2024) 404 (2006)Prague Daily Monitor. "Number of centenarians rising in Czech Republic" . 14 October 2011 (against 404 in November 2006: Horaova, Pavla. "Number of Centenarians Rising as Population Ageing Continues". Radio Praha. 15 November 2006). 9.0Denmark 1,224 (2025) 32 (1941) 20.3Dominica 23 (July 2021) 31.9Estonia 255 (2026)42 (1990) 18.7Finland 1,153 (2023) 11 (1960) 20.6France 37,000 (2025)100 (1900)INED « Nombre de centenaires. Evolution et projection » ; data 53.6Germany17,901 (2024)232 (1885) 21.4Hungary906 (2023)76 (1949), 227 (1990)9.4Iceland 47 (2023)"Mannfjöldi eftir kyni og aldri 1841–2015". Hagstofa Íslands. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 17 September 2015. 3 (1960) 12.1India 27,000 (2015)PEW: World's centenarian population projected to grow eightfold by 2050 Retrieved 22 April 2016. – 2.1Ireland 956 (2023) 87 (1990) 18.1Israel 3,328 (2022) – 34.8Italy 24,710 (2026)99 (1872) 41.9Japan 99,763 (2025) 81 (1884), 105 (1930), 97 (1950), 155 (1960),Kannisto, Väinö (1994). "Development of Oldest-Old Mortality, 1950–1990: Evidence from 28 Developed Countries" . Monographs on Population Aging. No.1. Odense University Press: Odense, Denmark. 108 pp. Updated 1 February 1999. Table5 54,397 (2013) 80.6Malaysia 2,296 (2024) 6.7Mexico 18,295 (2020)2,403 (1990) 14.5Netherlands 2,583 (2025)18 (1830)1830 Census (in Dutch). Volkstellingen.nl. Retrieved 26 July 2013. 14.3New Zealand 1,078 (2024) 18 (1960); 297 (1991) 20.9Norway 1,382 (2026)44 (1951) 24.6Peru 2,707 (2013) 1,682 (2011)EleccionesPeru and Elcomercio.pe. "1,682 electors are over 100 years" . Lima, Peru. 7 February 2011. Retrieved 20 April 2013. 8.4Poland 7,387 (2023)500 (1970) 19.6Portugal 4,143 (2025) 1,658 (2012) 36.3Romania (2026) (2024) 19.4Russia 17,000 (2025) 6,700 (2007) 11.9Singapore 1,500 (2020) 41 (1990) 26.38Slovenia 388 (2025) 2 (1953), 224 (2013) 18.2Slovakia 401 (2021) 7.4South Africa 22,525 (2023) 15,581 (2011) 36.7South Korea 8,891 (2025) 961 17.2Spain 19,573 (2022) 4,269 (2002) 41.1Sweden 2,961 (2024)46 (1950) 28.0Switzerland 1,948 (2023) 7 (1860) 22.1Thailand 45,561 (2024) – 69.1Turkey8,290 (2025) –9.6United Kingdom 16,600 (2024)107 (1911) 24United States 119,182 (2025) 2,300 (1950),Krach, Constance A. and Velkoff, Victoria A (1999). "Centenarians in the United States". Current Population Reports (Series P23-199RV). U.S. Bureau of the Census. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C. iii + 18 pp. 53,364 (2010) 34.9Uruguay 519 (2011) – 15.8Total population: 3,285,877 + 437 homeless, per 2011 census data World estimates 934,776 (2024) 23,000 (1950), 316,600 (2012) 11.6
Supercentenarians
A supercentenarian, sometimes hyphenated as super-centenarian, is a person who has reached the age of 110 years. This age milestone is only achieved by about one in a thousand centenarians.
Even rarer is a person who has lived to 115. There are 82 people in recorded history who have indisputably reached 115. Only three of the people who have reached 115 are men. Ethel Caterham, Naomi Whitehead, Lucia Laura Sangenito, Yolanda Beltrão de Azevedo, and Beatriz Ferreira Duarte are the only people currently alive who have verifiably reached the 115 year milestone.
Jeanne Calment from France is the only age-verified person in human history to have reached the age of 120 years.
Recognition and congratulations History, blessings and traditions
An aspect of blessing in many cultures is to offer a wish that the recipient lives to 100 years old. Among Hindus in India, where touching feet of elders and respected is a tradition, people who touch the feet of elders are often blessed with "May you live a hundred years". In Sweden, the traditional birthday song states, May he/she live for one hundred years. In Judaism, May you live to be 120 years old is a common blessing. In Poland, Sto lat, a wish to live a hundred years, is a traditional form of praise and good wishes, and the song "sto lat, sto lat" is sung on the occasion of the birthday celebrations—arguably, it is the most popular song in Poland and among Poles around the globe.
According to legends, Sages from ancient India lived and meditated for tens of thousands of years while Great Kings ruled their kingdoms for thousands of years.
Chinese emperors were hailed to live ten thousand years, while empresses were hailed to live a thousand years.
In Italy, "A hundred of these days!" (cento di questi giorni) is an augury for birthdays, to live to celebrate 100 more birthdays.Italian Translation . AllExperts.com. 21 June 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2012. Some Italians say "A cent'anni!", which means "To a hundred years", in that they wish that they could all live happily for a hundred years. In Greece, wishing someone Happy Birthday ends with the expression (), which can be loosely translated as "may you make it one hundred birthdays". In Sri Lanka, it is a custom to bless as "you may live 220 instead of 120".
In many countries, people receive a gift or congratulations from federal/state institutions on their 100th birthday.
United States
As of 2019, there were an estimated 72,000 centenarians living in the U.S.; the 2020 census officially counted 80,139, and the 2010 census had 53,364. However, the U.S. Census Bureau claimed in 1999 that as many as a third of people stating their age as over 100 might be exaggerating.
In the United States, centenarians may request a letter of congratulation from the president of the United States to mark their longevity.
Strom Thurmond became the first sitting Senator to reach 100 on 5 December 2002.
Jimmy Carter became the first former president to reach the age of 100 on 1 October 2024.
Today also presents a segment honoring centenarians and older, sponsored by Smuckers. The tradition was created in 1983 by weather presenter Willard Scott, and is now presented by his successor Al Roker.
In the state of New Mexico, centenarians have been exempt from state income tax since tax year 2002, if they are not dependents of another taxpayer.
Asia
Japanese centenarians receive a silver cup and a certificate from the prime minister of Japan upon the Respect for the Aged Day following their 100th birthday, honouring them for their longevity and prosperity in their lives.Ageing Japan cuts cost of 100th birthday gifts 3 March 2009 Reuters Retrieved 26 September 2015Plucinska, Joanna (20 August 2015). "Japan Can't Afford to Give Centenarians Gifts Anymore Because There Are Too Many of Them" . Time. Retrieved 26 September 2015.
In Madhya Pradesh, India, the award known as Shatayu Samman is given out to people who live at least 100 years to promote awareness of good health.
North Korean centenarians receive a birthday congratulatory letter from the Supreme Leader of the DPRK. On 6 July 2022, Pak Hak Sil, a centenarian living in Koup-ri of Kangnam County, Pyongyang, received a birthday letter sent by Kim Jong Un.
In the Philippines, Republic Act No. 10868 better known as the Centenarians Act of 2016 mandates that all living Filipinos residing in the Philippines or overseas receive a birthday congratulatory letter from the President of the Philippines and a ₱100,000 "Centenarian Gift" from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
In Taiwan, people aged 100 or above receive a golden pendant necklace on Chong Yang Festival each year from the president and Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Mahathir Mohamad became the first prime minister of Malaysia to reach the age of 100 on 10 July 2025. His wife, Siti Hasmah, reached the age of 100 on 12 July 2026; before passing away two months later due to heart failure.
Africa In countries such as Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe centenarians are often celebrated upon reaching their 100th Birthday by the locals and government.
Former Senegalese President, Abdoulaye Wade, turned 100 on 29 May 2026, becoming the first state leader in West African history to become a centenarian.
Europe German centenarians receive a letter of congratulations from the president of Germany.
In Ireland, centenarians can receive a €2,540 "Centenarians' Bounty" and a letter from the president of Ireland, even if they are resident abroad. Irish people celebrating their 101st birthday may also receive a special silver minted coin with a quote by a famous Irish writer or poet.
Centenarians born in Italy receive a letter of congratulations from the president of Italy.
In the Netherlands, the monarch and their commissioner sends a letter on the 100th birthday and on every birthday beginning with the 105th.
Swedish centenarians receive a telegram from the king and queen of Sweden."Fler 100-åringar ger hovet merarbete" (in Swedish). Göteborgs-Posten. 29 December 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
South America