Over 8,000 Koreans have reached 100 — they share secrets to longevity

In South Korea, the population of centenarians has surged to over 8,600 in the last year, according to new census data. Centenarians living at home reported that eating in moderation, maintaining an active social life, and avoiding smoking and drinking were key factors to longevity. Women made up 83.4% of the total centenarians, with Gyeonggi Province having the largest number of centenarians at 2,052.

Over half of the centenarians met family members or friends more than 12 times a month, and many engaged in daily activities such as watching television, walking in their neighborhoods, and visiting senior centers. The majority of centenarians lived with family members, and despite reporting poorer health than a decade ago, most had no intention of moving into a care facility in the future, preferring to stay in their familiar homes with family members.