The World’s New ‘Blue Zones’

A March 2026 report on longevity and healthy aging found that Bergen, Norway, is the city where people have the best chance of reaching 100. With life expectancy climbing past 80 years across developed nations, a new study by World Depopulation, a global demographics analytics tool, reveals the new Blue Zones, urban areas where residents have the highest odds of living past 100.

Blue Zones are specific geographic regions where people live exceptionally long lives, with a high concentration of centenarians and fewer chronic diseases. Identified by researcher Dan Buettner and team, these areas — including Okinawa, Sardinia, and Nicoya — share common, evidence-based lifestyle habits like plant-based diets, natural movement, and strong social connections.

The Five Original Blue Zones

1. Okinawa, Japan: Women over 70 are among the longest-lived on earth.
2. Sardinia, Italy: Features a high concentration of male centenarians, particularly in the mountain highlands.
3. Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica: Residents have high rates of longevity and strong, active social lives.
4. Icaria, Greece: A small Aegean island with low rates of dementia and cardiovascular disease.
5. Loma Linda, California: A community with a high concentration of Seventh-day Adventists, who follow a strict health-conscious lifestyle.

Key Lifestyle Characteristics of the Blue Zones

Research into these Blue Zones has found that longevity is not due to genetics alone, but rather daily habits:

• Move Naturally: Routine, daily activity is built into their lives, rather than structured gym workouts.
• Purpose: Knowing why they wake up in the morning (“Ikigai” in Okinawa, “Plan de vida” in Nicoya).
• Downshift: Managing stress through daily habits like prayer, siestas, or happy hour.
• 80% Rule: Eating until only 80% full to avoid weight gain.
• Plant Slant: A diet largely based on legumes, vegetables, and whole grains, with minimal meat.
• Wine @ 5: Moderate consumption of alcohol, often red wine, paired with meals and friends.
• Right Tribe: Social circles that promote healthy behaviors.
• Community: Active participation in faith-based communities.
• Loved Ones First: Investing time in family, caring for aging parents, and committed partnerships.

The World’s New Blue Zones Where You’re Likely to Live to 100

Key Highlights

• Bergen, Norway, is where you’re most likely to reach your 100th birthday, as the city offers fresh food, clean air, and one of Europe’s highest quality of life.
• People in Canberra have one of the highest life expectancies, living to 84 years, as most seniors over 70 remain physically active, while fewer than 8% of adults smoke.
• French cities dominate the longevity rankings, with Nantes, Grenoble, and six other places making the top 20 healthiest places to live.

The research examined 100 cities worldwide to find where people have the best chance of living to 100. The report combined two urban measurements, quality of life rankings and environmental conditions, with five national health factors: life expectancy, smoking rates, obesity levels, food safety standards, and how active people over 70 stay. Cities scored higher when they offered healthier conditions and better living standards while being located in countries where people naturally live longer. 

Here’s a look at the top 10 Blue Zones where you’re most likely to live to 100:

You can access the complete research findings here.

A Closer Look at the Top 5 Blue Zones

1. Bergen, Norway

• Quality of life rank: 4th globally
• Environment rank: 15th globally
• National life expectancy: 83.76 years
• Food quality and safety score: 60.4
• Physical inactivity among adults 70+: 47%
• Longevity score: 88.87

Bergen claims the top spot of these Blue Zones as it is the city where you’re most likely to live to 100. People here live to nearly 84 years on average, as the city ranks 4th globally for healthcare access, public services, and overall living conditions. Bergen also has some of the cleanest air among major cities, getting 15th place for air quality and natural surroundings. Fewer than 1 in 16 adults smoke tobacco as well, one of the lowest rates anywhere, which naturally helps with higher life expectancy. 

2. Canberra, Australia

Canberra comes second as another city that ranks well in the Blue Zones. People here have one of the highest life expectancies, living past 84 years, as most seniors over 70 remain physically active, while fewer than 8% smoke tobacco. The city also ranks 2nd globally for healthcare quality and public infrastructure, coming behind only Grenoble. Food safety standards are high as well, scoring 61 points on the index, which means locals can always access fresh produce and prepare nutritious meals throughout their lives. 

3. Nantes, France

Nantes takes third place in the longevity rankings for these Blue Zones. People here live to nearly 84 years on average, as the city ranks 10th worldwide for healthcare and public services. What sets Nantes apart, and France in general, is food quality, as the country scores 69 points in safety standards, about 8 points higher than Norway. With 56% of seniors staying physically active and obesity affecting just 10% of the population, the lowest rate among major cities, Nantes gives its residents every opportunity for healthy aging.

4. Grenoble, France

Grenoble ranks fourth while holding the number one spot globally for the quality of life in these Blue Zones. The Alpine city offers the best living conditions among the 100 cities studied, from healthcare access to public services. As a result, people here live to nearly 84 years. Another reason for locals’ longevity is the fresh produce, since France generally ranks high on the food standards index with 69 points. With obesity also affecting just 1 in every 10 French nationals, Grenoble residents have one of the strongest odds of reaching 100.

5. Bern, Switzerland

Bern rounds out the top five of these Blue Zones as people here live past 84 years, one of the longest lifespans recorded in the study. The city ranks 3rd globally for healthcare quality, while Switzerland itself has the best food safety ratings at 77 points, even higher than that of France. Over 60% of seniors here exercise regularly, which helps keep obesity at just 12.5%, among the lowest rates in Europe. And even though 1 in 5 adults smoke here, the favorable urban conditions still give Bern residents high chances of reaching centenarian status.

A longevity researcher from the World Depopulation commented on the study:

“One thing that didn’t surprise us at all was how poorly American cities performed. San Jose ranked 37th despite being in Silicon Valley with all that wealth. The problem is the broader national context. Americans have a 42% obesity rate and a much shorter life expectancy than Europeans or Australians. Even if you live in the healthiest American city, you’re still part of a food culture and healthcare system that makes going past 80 and 90 much harder than it would be in Europe.”

This article was created at the WHN News Desk in collaboration with Lucy Davis on behalf of World Depopulation. Their Aging Population Index shows where each country stands today, using clear data to reveal how quickly societies are shifting and what that means for the future. Explore the map, compare trends, and see how age is reshaping the global population.

As with anything you read on the internet, this article on Blue Zones should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.  

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