Centenarians
Germany's centenarian population surges to nearly 18,000 in 2024
Wiesbaden (dpa) - Around 17,900 people in Germany were at least 100 years old at the end of last year. This number has increased by nearly a quarter compared to 2011, according to the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. The majority of these centenarians are women, with a share of around 84%. The proportion of the 100-plus age group in the total population has also increased. While there were 1.8 people aged 100 or older per 10,000 inhabitants in 2011, this number had risen to 2.1 people by 2024.
Most centenarians live in Hamburg relative to population size
The Federal Statistical Office also provided regional data, showing differences in the number and proportion of centenarians. Most centenarians live in the populous states of North Rhine-Westphalia (3,900), Bavaria (2,400), and Baden-Württemberg (2,300). However, when looking at the proportion of the total population, a different picture emerges. Hamburg has the highest proportion with 2.9 centenarians per 10,000 inhabitants, followed by Saxony (2.6) and Saarland (2.5). The lowest proportions are found in Bavaria (1.8 per 10,000 inhabitants), Bremen (1.9), and Brandenburg (2.0).
Japan has the most centenarians worldwide
Worldwide, the number and proportion of centenarians is also increasing, although at a lower level than in Germany. In 2011, there were 0.4 centenarians per 10,000 inhabitants worldwide, rising to 0.7 by 2024, according to UN projections. In 2024, there were more than half a million people worldwide who were at least 100 years old, with women making up 81% of this group. Most centenarians live in Japan (121,000), the United States (70,000), and China (43,000).
