NUMBER OF PEOPLE WORLDWIDE WHO ARE 100 YEARS OR OLDER

This year, the number of centenarians has increased to a new high of around 533,000 worldwide. The United Nations expects that number to rise to approximately 573,000 by 2020. The U.S. has the highest absolute number of centenarians in the world with 72,000 living in the country. Japan comes in second with 68,000 Japanese who are 100 years older. Japan is home to the world’s oldest person, Kane Tanaka, who is age 116. Kane Tanaka is a so-called supercentenarian, which is a person living to or beyond the age of 110. Japan is also the country with the highest rate of centenarians, counting 48 for every 1,000 Japanese. Spain, the Czech Republic, France, Canada and Italy are also home to high numbers of centenarians compared to population size.