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The World's Oldest Communities

A look at blue zones, spots where people live well into their 90s

A shirtless elderly man with tanned skin and a white beard wearing a lavender turban is captured mid-speech
Seventy-six-year-old Masafumi Nagasaki in his bedroom tent on Sotobanari Island, off the western coast of Iriomote Island, in Okinawa, Japan, on April 14, 2012. REUTERS/Yuya Shino
by Caroline Kantis

Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Icaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California, are thousands of miles apart, but they share an important attribute: Their populations live much longer than average. Across these regions, called “blue zones,” people live well into their 90s and experience lower rates of cancer, heart disease, and other noncommunicable diseases associated with age and lifestyle factors.  

So why, on average, are people in blue zones healthier than in other parts of the world? It comes down to a variety of factors including relatively low-stress lifestyles, plant-based diets, and belonging to communities (often religious). To see just how the world’s oldest and healthiest communities live, we compiled a slideshow showcasing life in the blue zones.  

 

 

Two elderly men dressed in black suits with matching caps sit on a step in front of a black and white mural depicting an older man with a white beard wearing a military uniform
Sardinia, Italy Sardinia, the first Blue Zone discovered, has 534 people who are one hundred or older, or 33.6 centenarians for every 100,000 inhabitants. Diet (some residents single out the island’s wine), a low-stress lifestyle, and a strong sense of community all contribute to the longevity of Sardinia’s residents.    Elderly men sit in front of one of the characteristic murals in Sardinia’s Gennargentu region, on May 2, 1997.
An elderly japanese woman wearing a red t shirt dances holding white and purple fans, in a group
Okinawa, Japan Regular physical activity is thought to be one of the contributing factors to the large number of elderly people living in Blue Zones. In Okinawa, Japan, home to one of the highest percentages of centenarians in the world, many people take part in regular exercise. Dance is a common activity for many Japanese people and has a rich history in their country. Japanese dance movements fall under two categories: mai, characterized by slower, shuffling movements, and odori, characterized by quicker and more circular movements.    Here, a group of elderly women practice a local dance, in Naha, on Okinawa Island, Japan, on June 18, 2003.
A golden sandy shoreline with light crystal blue waters is captured in Okinawa, Japan
Okinawa, Japan Alongside practicing their dance routines, people in Okinawa also enjoy the island’s natural beauty.    The sandy shoreline and crystal blue waters are captured on a sunny day, on August 20, 2018.
a group of four elderly greek men sit around a wooden table at a small village cafe, From left to right: the first man is wearing a white and red checked shirt with jeans, the next two are wearing black half zip shirts, the fourth man is an Orthodox priest in traditional garments
Ikaria, Greece Ikaria, sometimes referred to as the island “where people forget to die,” shares many characteristics with other Blue Zones, including a strong sense of community. Daily socializing can help mitigate feelings of loneliness and depression.    A group of elderly Greek men play dominos at a cafe in a rural village, on November 5, 2000.
An orthodox priest with a long white beard wearing traditional black robes and hat is seen examing fresh fruits and vegetables at a market stall
Ikaria, Greece Another shared characteristic across Blue Zones is that residents typically belong to a strong religious community. Some studies report that spirituality and organized religion are associated with better health, which are in part due to do greater social support and reduced rates of depression.   A Greek Orthodox priest searches for change to buy vegetables at an outdoor market, on November 8, 2011.
view overlooking a bay with rocky landscape
Ikaria, Greece A temperate climate is another shared characteristic among blue zones.   Pictured, is the bay next to Ikaria village, in Messakti, Greece, on September 14, 2012.
An older man wearing a tan shirt and white straw hat bends over to collect beige turtle eggs on the sandy shoreline of a beach in Costa Rica
Nicoya, Costa Rica Residents of the Nicoya Peninsula, home to a large number of nonagenarians and centenarians, attribute their longevity to residents’ plan de vida, or reason to live. Whether it’s through work, faith, or a hobby, Nicoyans find purpose in their daily lives.    An elderly man packs turtle eggs along the shore of Ostional Beach in Santa Cruz, on the Nicoya Peninsula, on September 20, 2007.
The front facade of a colonial church is pictured against the backdrop of a gray and cloudy sky
Nicoya, Costa Rica While many people in Nicoya attribute their sense of purpose or plan de vida to community service, a number of residents use their faith to find purpose. Almost 50 percent of Costa Ricans are Catholic and Nicoya is home to one of the country’s oldest churches, the Parroquia San Blas, founded in 1644.    People examine the front facade of the church, on September 6, 2012.
The Loma Linda University church, a white contemporary building, is seen against a blue sky
Loma Linda, California The United States has its own Blue Zone, too. In Loma Linda, California, home to a community of about 9,0000 Seventh-Day Adventists, residents live ten years longer than the average American. Adventists typically have a healthy lifestyle—they eat a plant-based diet and refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol—and observe a twenty-four hour Sabbath once a week that provides a break from everyday stressors.    Pictured is the Loma Linda University Church, a Seventh-Day Adventist Church, in Loma Linda, California.
a cyclist cruises down narrow bike trail winds between green hills in a sunny valley in loma linda, california
Loma Linda, California Cycling is just one of the ways residents in Loma Linda stay active.    The Strada Rossa biking trail is a popular route for those seeking adventure. Pictured on March 16, 2014.

Caroline Kantis is associate editor for Think Global Health at the Council on Foreign Relations.

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