WE’RE LIVING LONGER— BUT ARE WE LIVING BETTER?
By Vincent Ferguson Founder, Body Sculpt of New York • Host, Six Weeks to Fitness
Japan now has more than 100,000 people over the age of 100. In America, that number could exceed 400,000 within three decades. The longevity revolution is here—but adding years to life is only half the story. Something extraordinary is happening in Japan. For the first time, the number of people living to age 100 and beyond has surpassed 100,000. According to figures released by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in September, 107,677 people in Japan are now at least 100 years old—an increase of 7,914 in just one year. Nearly 88 percent of them are women. To appreciate just how remarkable that is, consider this: when Japan began keeping these statistics in 1963, there were only 153 known centenarians in the entire country. The number surpassed 1,000 in 1981, 10,000 in 1998 and 50,000 in 2012. In 2026, it crossed 100,000. That isn’t merely an interesting statistic about Japan. It may be a glimpse into our own future. According to U.S. Census Bureau projections analyzed by Pew Research Center, approximately 101,000 Americans were expected to be 100 or older in 2024. By 2054, that population is projected to reach approximately 422,000. That’s more than four times as many centenarians in only three decades. Centenarians would still represent a relatively small portion of the overall population, but the direction is unmistakable: more Americans are likely to experience lives that extend well beyond what previous generations considered normal. For those of us who are now in our 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond, these numbers raise an intriguing possibility: What if we have more time than we think? But they also raise a much more important question: What condition will we be in when we get there? America Is Getting Older, Too The United States is experiencing its own dramatic increase in longevity.
Lifespan Isn’t the Same as Healthspan We hear a lot about lifespan—the number of years we live. But an increasingly important conversation is about healthspan: the years during which we maintain our health, function and ability to live independently and do the things that matter to us. Living to 100 is certainly an accomplishment. But simply reaching an advanced age isn’t necessarily the goal. Imagine living to 95 but spending the final 15 or 20 years unable to move comfortably, perform everyday activities independently or participate meaningfully in the things that once brought you joy.
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