Instead of dwindling, the group of individuals who extinguish 100 birthday candles just expands like spring flowers. If you took a stroll through Italy on any given day, you would have a better chance than ever to encounter a person who has lived long enough to witness a black-and-white TV era, three different pop music eras, and at-least 20 varieties of pasta evolve.
The figures are gigantic. According to the National Statistics Office, Italy has 23,548 residents ages 100 or older. A year ago, that figure hovered just above 21,000—as a result, thousands more residents have enrolled in the “triple-digit club.” This is liken to adding an entire community or a small town of super grandparents.
Women clearly lead the pack.
Around 82% of Italian centenarians are female. Apparently, when it comes to longevity, Italian grandmas cracked the code to life: olive oil, sunshine, less fear, or they just simply tuned out everyone’s drama.
Not to mention age older than 100? Of course. There are 724 residents between the ages of 105-109 and another 19 residents, all of humanity, who can say they are 110+ years old. We don’t call them super human, but supercentenarian sounds at least in the same family.
And speaking of legendary birthdays, Lucia Laura Sangenito is collectible and unique as a national treasure.
She hails from the Campania region and will celebrate her 115th year. This gives her the title of Italy’s oldest living woman and one of the top three oldest on the continent.
Currently, the oldest people in Europe are:
- Ethel Caterham from the UK is 116 years old
- Marie-Rose Tessier from France just turned 115 in May
- And Lucia from Italy, as a member of this elite club
In 2009, there were significantly fewer people reaching this age. The centenarian population has more than doubled since then. Italy changed from “a few thousand” to “tens of thousands.”
When you combine the entire European Union, we are witnessing the explosion of 100-year-olds. Projections indicate we may approach half a million by 2050. The concept of a city of 100-year-olds arguing about the best recipe for “sugo” approaches reality.
Wondering which Italian region produces the most triple-digit legends?
- Molise comes in at number one
- Aosta Valley and Liguria are not far behind
I don’t know if it’s the sea breeze, mountain air, or simply a peaceful way of living!
Italy is more than just the home of pizza and opera. It is quietly and surely becoming one of the world’s main centers for longevity. More people are reaching age 100, 105, even 110. Women are winning the race by a large margin.
If you are looking for motivation, the elderly people in Italy are essentially living evidence that life can continue to exist for many birthdays, family dinners, and sunshine — long after the calendar turns to three digits.
