Demystifying the Statistics of Extreme Longevity
When attempting to answer the question, "how many Americans are 112 years old?", it is essential to distinguish between official, verified data and older, flawed reports. Misleading reports from a decade ago, which gained significant media attention, indicated millions of people in the U.S. were aged 112 or older, based on errors in Social Security Administration records. However, this figure included millions of individuals who were, in reality, deceased, with their Social Security numbers remaining active due to inaccurate record-keeping. The actual number is drastically different and reflects the extreme rarity of reaching this advanced age.
The Importance of Age Validation
To understand the true population of those aged 112, or supercentenarians in general, one must rely on organizations dedicated to validating and tracking these individuals. The Gerontology Research Group (GRG) is a preeminent authority that rigorously verifies birth and death certificates, along with other historical records, to confirm the age of supercentenarians. As of late 2024 and early 2025, the GRG reported monitoring only a few hundred living supercentenarians globally, with a subset of those being in the United States. The number who are specifically 112 years old at any given time is extremely small, and the list is constantly changing due to the high mortality rate for this age group.
What are Supercentenarians?
The term "supercentenarian" refers to any person who has reached the age of 110 or older. Reaching this age is a feat of remarkable rarity, with estimates suggesting that only about one in every 1,000 centenarians (people who live to 100) survives to become a supercentenarian. The population of supercentenarians is predominantly female, with studies often reporting that approximately 90% of them are women. This demographic pattern, which becomes more pronounced at older ages, is a key focus of longevity research.
Demographics of U.S. Supercentenarians
Research on supercentenarians in the U.S. reveals several common characteristics, although exceptions exist. These individuals often exhibit a remarkable resilience to age-related diseases and chronic illnesses until late in life. While their longevity is influenced by a combination of genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors, scientists are still working to understand the exact mechanisms. Studies on the families of supercentenarians have shown that their siblings and mothers also tend to have a survival advantage, suggesting a genetic component to their exceptional lifespan.
Factors Influencing Extreme Longevity
Research has explored several factors that may contribute to extreme longevity, including genetics, lifestyle, and environment. A comparison of these factors highlights the combination of influences at play:
| Factor | Characteristics of Supercentenarians | Characteristics of General Population |
|---|---|---|
| Genetics | Often have a family history of longevity, with siblings and parents showing a survival advantage compared to their birth cohorts. Specific genetic variants may slow aging processes. | Most people do not have a strong family history of extreme longevity. Genetic factors play a role, but not to the same extreme extent. |
| Healthspan | Frequently remain in good health, often delaying the onset of major age-related diseases like heart disease, cancer, and stroke until very late in life or avoiding them altogether. | The average person experiences a gradual increase in chronic illnesses and disability with advancing age. |
| Lifestyle | Tend to practice healthier habits, with some reporting a history of not smoking or drinking alcohol. Many maintain moderate activity and a healthy diet. | Lifestyle choices, including diet, exercise, and substance use, vary widely and can significantly impact health and longevity. |
| Gender | An overwhelming majority, approximately 90%, are women. Male supercentenarians, though fewer in number, tend to be healthier than their female counterparts at these ages. | Women have a higher life expectancy on average, but the gender gap is most pronounced at the highest ages. |
Conclusion
The number of Americans who are 112 years old at any given moment is exceptionally small. Rather than the millions suggested by misleading older data, the real figure is likely a handful of individuals who have been meticulously verified by expert organizations like the Gerontology Research Group. These supercentenarians represent a rare slice of the demographic pie and serve as important subjects for scientific research into the factors behind extreme human longevity. While factors such as genetics, healthy lifestyle choices, and gender all play a role, the ability to reach such a remarkable age remains a combination of exceptional circumstances and a high degree of rarity. The ongoing study of these individuals continues to provide valuable insights into the secrets of a long and healthy life. Explore more longevity research with the New England Centenarian Study.
