Seoul: The number of South Korean individuals aged 100 years or older has nearly tripled over a span of ten years, driven by advancements in medical treatment and improvements in living conditions, recent data revealed.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics indicated that as of November 1, 2025, the number of centenarians reached 8,604, marking a significant increase from 3,159 recorded in 2015. The proportion of centenarians per 100,000 people rose to 17.3 in 2025, compared to 10.9 in 2015.

The data further showed that male centenarians made up 16.6 percent of the total, numbering 1,428. Regionally, Gyeonggi Province was home to a quarter of the centenarians, with 2,052 individuals residing there, followed by 1,268 in Seoul and 559 in North Gyeongsang Province.

Additionally, the findings highlighted that one in five centenarians currently live alone, showcasing a significant aspect of the aging population in South Korea.