Centenarian facts for kids
A centenarian is a person who lives to be 100 years old or even older. Since most people don't live to be 100, reaching this age is seen as a sign of a very long life, also known as longevity.
In 2012, the United Nations estimated there were about 316,600 centenarians around the world. As people are living longer and the world's population is growing, the number of centenarians is expected to increase quickly in the future. For example, experts in the UK believe that one-third of babies born in 2013 might live to be 100.
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What is a Supercentenarian?
A supercentenarian is someone who has lived to be 110 years old or more. This is very rare! Only about one in every 1,000 centenarians reaches this age.
Even rarer are people who live to be 115 years old. Only a few dozen people in history have definitely reached this age. The oldest person ever known was Jeanne Calment, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old.
Where Do Most Centenarians Live?
The United States currently has the most known centenarians. In 2010, there were over 53,000 centenarians in the US. Most of them (about 83%) were women.
Japan has the second-highest number of centenarians, with over 51,000 in 2012. Japan also has the highest percentage of centenarians compared to its total population. Japan started counting its centenarians in 1963, when there were only 153. This number has grown a lot, reaching over 40,000 by 2009. Experts think Japan could have as many as 1 million centenarians by 2050!
Special Greetings for Centenarians
In many countries, people who turn 100 receive a special gift or congratulations from their government.
- In the United Kingdom and other countries that are part of the Commonwealth realm, the British monarch sends a greeting card on a person's 100th birthday. They also send cards for every birthday starting from age 105. This tradition began in 1908.
- In the United States, centenarians usually get a letter from the President, congratulating them on their long life.
- In Ireland, centenarians receive a special payment called the "Centenarians' Bounty" and a letter from the President of Ireland. This is true even if they live in another country.
- Japanese centenarians receive a silver cup and a certificate from the Prime Minister of Japan on a special day called Respect for the Aged Day.
- In Sweden, centenarians get a message from the King and Queen of Sweden.
- In Italy, centenarians receive a letter from the President of Italy.
Traditions About Long Life
Many cultures have special sayings or traditions that wish people a long life:
- In Hinduism, when people touch the feet of elders, they are often blessed with "May you live a hundred years."
- In Sweden, the traditional birthday song says, May he/she live for one hundred years.
- In Judaism, a common blessing is May you live to be 120 years old.
- In Poland, "Sto lat" means "a hundred years" and is a popular wish for birthdays. People sing a song called "Sto lat, sto lat" to celebrate.
- In China, emperors were wished to "live ten thousand years."
- In Italy, people might say "A hundred of these days!" (cento di questi giorni) for birthdays, or "Cent'anni!" which means "a hundred years," wishing everyone a happy hundred years.
- In Greece, a birthday wish ends with να τα εκατοστήσεις (na ta ekatostisis), which means "may you make it one hundred birthdays."
Research on Centenarians
Scientists are very interested in studying centenarians to understand how some people live so long and stay healthy.
Some research in Italy suggests that healthy centenarians might have high levels of certain vitamins, like vitamin A and vitamin E. However, other studies, like one in Sardinia, found that these vitamins might not be the main reason for long life in all places.
Other studies have looked at genes. A specific gene called FOXO3A seems to help people live longer. It is found more often in people who live to 100 and beyond, all over the world.
Researchers have also noticed that centenarians often have certain personality traits. According to Thomas T. Perls, a director of a centenarian study, people who live to 100 or more often have outgoing personalities. They tend to have many friends, strong family connections, and feel good about themselves. Also, children of centenarians often have better heart health as they get older.
Images for kids
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Artist Mary Jane Alexander's portraits of centenarians.
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The chances of, in 2013, surviving to age 100.
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Aarne Arvonen (1897–2009), a supercentenarian from Finland, lived for 111 years and 150 days.
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See also
In Spanish: Centenario (persona) para niños
