South Korea centenarian population nearly triples in decade

The number of centenarians in South Korea has increased nearly 2.7-fold over the last decade. According to the 2025 population and housing census released by the Ministry of Data and Statistics, there were 8,604 people aged 100 or older as of November 1, 2025, compared to 3,159 in 2015.

While women comprise the vast majority of this group at 83.4%, the number of male centenarians grew at a faster rate than women, increasing 3.3-fold compared to a 2.6-fold increase for females. Officials noted that improvements in medicine and living conditions are helping to narrow the gender gap in longevity.

Among centenarians living at home, 59.7% identified a restrained diet, such as eating in moderation, as a primary secret to their longevity. Other cited factors included regular daily routines and genetic factors. Additionally, a high percentage of respondents reported never having smoked or consumed alcohol.

Geographically, Gyeonggi Province recorded the highest total number of centenarians, followed by Seoul. However, South Jeolla Province had the highest concentration of centenarians relative to its population.