Map Shows Countries With Most Centenarians As Japan Tops 100,000 - Newsweek
Japan has become the first country in the world to surpass 100,000 people aged 100 or older, which is a demographic milestone that not only highlights the country's remarkable longevity but also demonstrates the growing challenges of an aging society.
According to figures released by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in September 2026, the number of centenarians in the country reached 107,677, which is 7,914 more than the previous year.
While Japan's latest total exceeds 100,000, data compiled by World Population Review, based on United Nations population estimates, showed Japan already had the world's largest centenarian population in 2023, with approximately 120,000 people aged 100 and older.
The data suggests that countries with a combination of large populations and high life expectancy are most likely to produce large numbers of centenarians.
Japan consistently ranks among the world's healthiest and longest-lived nations. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)'s Health at a Glance 2025 country profile, life expectancy in Japan is about 84 years, among the highest in the OECD, while the country also has one of the lowest obesity rates in the developed world.
Combined with its universal healthcare system and high levels of healthy ageing, these factors are frequently seen as contributors to the country's exceptional rates of longevity.
Dietary patterns could also help explain Japan's growing number of centenarians.
Research from the National Library of Medicine has linked the traditional Japanese diet, which is rich in fish, vegetables, soy products, and seaweed, with healthy aging and longevity. Studies have found that these foods provide nutrients associated with cardiovascular and cognitive health.
Demographics also play a significant role. Japan has one of the oldest populations globally due to decades of low birth rates and increasing life expectancy. According to the OECD, Japan's total fertility rate was 1.26 children per woman in 2022, well below the OECD average. Meanwhile, World Bank data shows life expectancy in Japan is about 84 years, among the highest globally.
As larger numbers of people survive into advanced age, the number of people reaching 100 naturally rises.
The growing number of centenarians is often viewed as a public health success story. Reaching age 100 has historically been extremely rare, making a six-figure centenarian population evidence of significant advances in medicine, nutrition, sanitation, and living standards.
However, the milestone also inevitably leads to some major policy challenges.
As more people live into their 90s and 100s, governments face rising healthcare, pension and long-term care costs. Japan's shrinking workforce means fewer workers are supporting a growing retired population, raising concerns about economic growth, tax revenues and the sustainability of social welfare systems.
For policymakers worldwide, Japan is increasingly viewed as a glimpse into the demographic future facing many developed nations. Countries across Europe, North America and East Asia are experiencing similar trends of falling birth rates and longer life expectancy, though few have reached Japan's level of population aging.
The country's centenarian milestone therefore represents more than a longevity record. It offers a real-world test case for how societies may adapt as living to 100 becomes increasingly common in the decades ahead.
Newsweekโs reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
