Living in Wales could dramatically increase your chances of living to 100 and receiving a telegram from the King, new official figures have revealed.
The nation has the highest rate of centenarians across the UK, with 26 for every 100,000 people reaching the milestone.
In contrast, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures show the rate in England stands at 24, with Scotland 18 and Northern Ireland just 15.
Across the UK, women are also more than four and a half times as likely to become centenarians than men, the data showed.
More than 13,000 women across the UK reached the milestone in 2023, compared to just over 2,900 men.
Research has long suggested a mix of biological and behavioral factors, including differences in genetics, hormone levels and exposure to risks, are behind why women live longer than men.
Yet, the rate of male centenarians has increased at a faster rate than women — almost doubling in the last decade alone.
It means the number of centenarians overall has more than doubled since 2003, with 16,140 last year.
For every 100,000 people, there are 26 who have reached the milestone in Wales, according to data released today
By nation, Wales recorded 25.7 centenarians per 100,000 people in 2023 — almost double the 13.9 logged in 2003. Pictured, Porth Iago in North Wales
Statisticians say the overall increase in number of people living until they are 100 is because of improvements in mortality stretching back decades.
These include lifestyle factors, such as a reduction in smoking rates particularly among men, as well as working conditions and healthcare improvements like the treatment of heart disease.
But the figure also marks a slight dip on 2022, when 16,200 adults in the UK hit the landmark age.
Despite the slowdown, the figures did show there were more people aged 103 across the two nations than ever before (1,560).
By nation, Wales recorded 25.7 centenarians per 100,000 people in 2023 — almost double the 13.9 logged in 2003.
England saw a similar rise, with 24.3 per 100,000 in 2023 compared to 13.8 in 2003.
Scotland, meanwhile rose from 11.4 per 100,000 to 18.2 per 100,000 over the same time period.
Northern Ireland had the lowest proportion of centenarians at both points, with 15.1 per 100,000 in 2023 and 7.5 in 2003.
Across the UK, w omen are also more than four and a half times as likely to become centenarians than men, the data found. More than 13,000 women across the UK reached the milestone in 2023, compared to just over 2,900 men
At the age of 115, Ethel Caterham, from Surrey, is the oldest living person in the UK following the death of 112-year-old Mollie Walker on 22 January 2022
However, statisticians said the low proportion of centenarians in Northern Ireland reflects its younger population.
‘This is because of its higher fertility rate compared with the other UK countries, rather than low life expectancy or poor survival at older ages’, they added.
Earlier this year, research suggested life expectancy across the world will rise by almost five years by 2050, with the average man forecasted to live to 76 and woman past 80.
At the time, experts said the trend was largely driven by public health measures both preventing and improving survival rates from illnesses including cardiovascular disease, nutritional diseases and maternal and neonatal infections.
Commentators also said the figures present an ‘immense opportunity’ to ‘get ahead of rising metabolic and dietary risk factors’ such as high blood pressure and BMI.
The oldest living person in the world is now believed to be Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born on June 8, 1908 and is 116 years old.
At the age of 115, Ethel Caterham, from Surrey, is the oldest living person in the UK following the death of 112-year-old Mollie Walker on 22 January 2022.
The title of the oldest person to have ever lived belongs to French woman Jeanne Louise Calment whose life spanned 122 years and 164 days.
The oldest living person in the world is now believed to be Brazilian nun Inah Canabarro Lucas, who was born on June 8, 1908 and is 116 years old
Ms Caterham, 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.
Physical activity, faith, love, companionship, and a sense of purpose make up the backbone of so-called ‘Blue Zones,’ or areas of the world where people typically live to 100 and beyond.
Maintaining an active lifestyle, even simply walking around town every day, has been shown to improve longevity.
Companionship has been shown to have a similarly positive effect on a person’s lifespan, with studies consistently showing loneliness is toxic.
