France has the highest proportion of centenarians among European countries. This is one of the key findings of a study published by Clariane and the consulting firm Astérès to mark National Centenarians Day. Beyond the rankings, the analysis highlights the true determinants of exceptional longevity and challenges several common misconceptions, particularly regarding the role of the healthcare system.
- France has the highest proportion of centenarians in Europe, ahead of Italy.
- Eight out of ten centenarians in Europe are women, most of whom are widowed and more highly educated than others of their generation.
- Geography, lifestyle, and social connections have a greater influence on longevity than the wealth of a region.
- Smoking appears to be the leading factor associated with a lower likelihood of reaching the age of 100.
- Regional differences are greater than differences between countries, highlighting the importance of local characteristics.
France: Europe’s Leader in Centenarians
Some regions have significantly more centenarians than others. That is the conclusion of a new study conducted by Clariane and Astérès to mark the 10th National Centenarians’ Day. The two partners provide an unprecedented overview of longevity across Europe and reveal that France holds a unique position.
With 22,578 centenarians recorded in 2021, France ranks first in the European Union, both in absolute numbers and as a proportion of its population. Clariane notes that France has “the highest proportion of centenarians in Europe,” with 33 centenarians per 100,000 inhabitants, ahead of Italy. Across Europe, nearly 100,000 people have reached the age of 100, representing 0.022% of the population.
The study also outlines the typical profile of a European centenarian. In eight out of ten cases, the individual is a woman, generally widowed, and with a higher level of education than others of her generation. This profile reflects the demographic and social changes observed over recent decades.
Geography, Education, and Lifestyle: The Real Keys to Longevity
By analyzing 243 European regions using 34 different variables, Astérès identified several factors associated with a higher concentration of centenarians. The first and most striking finding is that geography remains the strongest determinant.
Southern European countries have 77% more centenarians than Western European countries, while Eastern European countries have 55% fewer. According to the report, this geographical pattern reflects “a combination of lifestyles and social ties” that are particularly favorable to exceptional longevity.
Among the other factors identified are:
- Higher levels of education.
- Maintaining a marital relationship into older age.
- Low smoking rates, identified as the main factor negatively affecting the likelihood of reaching 100 years of age.
A Study That Challenges Common Assumptions About Ageing
One of the study’s most significant findings concerns the impact of healthcare policies. Contrary to widely held beliefs, Clariane and Astérès conclude that “neither the wealth of a region nor the density of healthcare services… has a measurable statistical effect on exceptional longevity.” In other words, the number of doctors or hospital beds alone does not explain why some regions have more centenarians than others.
The authors instead highlight substantial regional disparities. Bulgaria records only 5 centenarians per 100,000 inhabitants, compared with 33 in France, illustrating the considerable differences across Europe.
Significant disparities also exist within individual countries. In France, for example, the number of centenarians varies by a factor of seven between regions. According to the study, this demonstrates that the regional level is now far more relevant than the national level for understanding the factors that contribute to exceptional longevity.
Published by the Editorial Staff on