Paraná’s 126‑year‑old Dona Júlia’s birthday goes viral, underscoring state’s aging population

A video posted on social media showed the celebration of Dona Júlia’s alleged 126th birthday in Tibagi, Paraná. The footage, featuring a cake with the number 126 and a family‑sung “Parabéns,” quickly amassed around eight million views, drawing widespread online attention. According to her relatives, Júlia was born in 1900, spent part of her life on the streets, and only received regular documentation at age 100. She now lives with a local family and, as reported, has no chronic illnesses.

The viral moment coincides with demographic projections for Paraná. The Institute of Economic and Social Development of Paraná (Ipardes) estimates that the number of residents aged 60 or older will rise from about 2.08 million in 2025 to 3.69 million by 2050, representing nearly 30 % of the state’s population. The share of people over 90 is also expected to grow to roughly 164 000, with about 36 000 residing in Curitiba. These trends highlight the accelerating aging of the state’s population and the need for policies addressing health, social assistance, and quality of life for older adults.