WE’RE all living longer.
But how many of us Brits will live to 100?
Women are 4.5 times more likely than men to live to 100[/caption]
Wales has the highest rate of centenarians in the UK (Pictured: Tenby, Pembrokeshire)[/caption]
New figures suggest there are two key factors that could boost your chances – living in Wales, and being a woman.
Wales has the highest rate of centenarians in the UK, with 26 in every 100,000 people reaching the milestone, new stats from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal.
England follows closely with 24, while Scotland and Northern Ireland lag behind at 18 and 15, respectively.
And when it comes to gender, women are still far more likely to hit triple digits – more than four and a half times as likely as men.
In 2023, over 13,000 women in the UK celebrated their 100th birthday, compared to just under 3,000 men, the same data showed.
Experts have previously this down to a mix of genetics, hormones, and lifestyle choices.
That said, men are catching up.
The number of men receiving a telegram from the King nearly doubled in the last decade, pushing the UK’s total number of 100-year-olds to over 16,000 – more than twice as many as in 2003.
Statisticians credit this rise to decades of improvements in healthcare, better working conditions, and lifestyle changes – like fewer people smoking, particularly men.
But while long-term trends show an increase, 2023 actually saw a slight dip from 2022, when a record 16,200 Brits turned 100.
Poor diets, low levels of exercise and increasing body mass index (BMI) scores were all linked to the drop.
However, the number of supercentenarians – those reaching 103 -was at its highest ever, with 1,560 people hitting the milestone.
Looking ahead, global life expectancy is predicted to rise by nearly five years by 2050, with men expected to live to around 76 and women past 80.
The trend is mostly due to public health efforts that have helped prevent diseases and improve survival rates from heart disease, Covid-19, and other infections.
Experts say tackling risks like high blood pressure and obesity will be key to pushing lifespans even further.
The world’s oldest living person title currently belongs to Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, aged 116.
In the UK, 115-year-old Ethel Caterham holds the record.
The longest-lived person ever was Jeanne Louise Calment from France, who made it to an incredible 122 years and 164 days.
Jeanne Louise Calment lived until she was 122[/caption]
How to live longer
Live happier and healthier for longer with the NHS’s top 10 tips:
Watch what you eat and drink
Eating a healthy, balanced diet is crucial for good health, energy and preventing illness.
Look after your teeth
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily to prevent gum disease. Gum disease can be linked to diabetes, stroke, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.
Stay active
Regular exercise can help lower your risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and even cancer.
Make the most of your GP
It’s a good idea to get your blood pressure and cholesterol levels tested by your doctor. High readings can increase your risk of stroke and heart disease.
Get a vitamin boost
Lots of people have vitamin D deficiency but don’t know it. The condition has been linked to cognitive impairment, bone problems, and cardiovascular disease. Make sure to get outdoors during the spring and summer months, and during autumn and winter you might want to consider taking a vitamin D supplement.
Take care of your feet
Look after your feet by applying moisturiser, cutting your toenails straight across, and making sure you wear footwear that fits properly and supports your feet. Contact your GP if your feet become painful.
Sort out your sleep
Getting enough sleep is important for staying healthy. Avoid insomnia by cutting down on daytime naps, establishing a bedtime routine and going to bed at the same time each night.
Take the tests
As we age our hearing and eyesight can be affected, so it’s important to get them checked regularly.
Stay in touch
Spending time with other people can prevent you from feeling lonely or anxious.
Give up smoking
Smoking is linked to a range of different health problems, including heart disease and lung cancer. If you stop, regardless of your age, your circulation, lung capacity, and energy levels will improve.
Jeanne who died in 1997, attributed her longevity to “never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like”.
Experts who have studied centenarians agree.
Having strong beliefs, surrounding yourself with loved ones, and finding a sense of purpose are key ingredients in the world’s ‘Blue Zones‘ – places where people regularly reach 100 and beyond.
Keeping moving – even if it’s just a daily walk – has been linked to a longer life.
Likewise, strong social connections can be just as powerful, with research repeatedly showing that loneliness can take a serious toll on health.
Find out your life expectancy using our new interactive calculator
We’ve used data from the ONS to figure out how long your lifeline might be.
