The number of centenarians - people who have reached 100 years of age or more - in Korea has surpassed 8,600. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on September 11, the number of centenarians as of August 31 this year is 8,604, up 1,024 from last year's 7,580. By region, Seoul had the most centenarians with 2,044, followed by Gyeonggi Province with 1,479, South Jeolla Province with 618, North Jeolla Province with 576, and Busan with 544. The top five most common surnames among centenarians were Kim, Lee, Park, Choi, and Kang. The average lifespan of centenarians was 100.7 years, with women outnumbering men by a significant margin - 7,637 women to 967 men. When asked about their longevity, most centenarians cited their "moderate eating habits" as a key factor. The survey also showed that 97.6% of centenarians are able to perform daily tasks on their own without difficulty. The number of centenarians has been on the rise over the past 10 years, with an average annual growth rate of 8.8%. Experts say that centenarians' lifestyles, which typically include moderate eating, regular exercise, and an optimistic outlook, hold the secret to their longevity. Centenarians are also more likely to have higher education and economic levels than the general population. Ministry officials said, "We plan to use this data to develop various policies to help the elderly lead better lives."
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