17 June 2026
In our ecological study examining Italy’s 20 regions from 1982 to 2025, we evaluated population aging and extreme survival using five primary demographic indices: longevity index, centenarity index, aging tendency, oldest-old ratio, female-to-male survival ratio. We found that longevity metrics rose steadily nationwide. We identified that the strongest regional correlates with high longevity indices were lower long-term mortality from non-communicable diseases, specifically diabetes and cerebrovascular disease, alongside healthier diet and lifestyle profiles. While we observed that northern and central regions maintained the highest overall concentrations of older adults, we also uncovered that the southern Cilento region has emerged as an extraordinary longevity hotspot, achieving metrics that rival traditional “Blue Zones” like Sardinia.
Our work demonstrates that extreme human longevity is not merely a genetically determined exception or geographical peculiarity, but a dynamic health outcome directly linked to lower metabolic disease burden and a favorable exposome. By demonstrating that high-longevity clusters can emerge outside classical Blue Zones, our study emphasizes that regional public health interventions targeting preventable diseases can effectively promote healthy aging across diverse populations.
Nutrients 2026, 18(12), 1952
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In a nutshell
Italy is one of the longest‑living countries in the world — yet longevity is far from evenly distributed across its regions.
From this starting point, our new study was born: a nationwide ecological analysis exploring over four decades of extreme longevity across Italy’s 20 regions.
What we examined:
We analyzed long‑term trends in key longevity indicators (LI%, CI%, 85+ and 90+ ratios) from 1982 to 2025, integrating them with:
– mortality from major non‑communicable diseases (1990–2023)
– nutritional and behavioral profiles of adults aged ≥65 (2024)
– macro‑regional differences and emerging Hotspots
What we found:
– All longevity indicators increased steadily over the past 40 years.
– Northern and central regions consistently showed the highest values.
– Lower long‑term mortality from diabetes and cerebrovascular diseases showed the strongest correlations with higher LI% and CI%.
– Nutritional profiles were generally more favorable in northern regions.
– The Cilento area emerged as a remarkable southern hotspot, with longevity indicators comparable to Sardinia and above the regional average, challenging the idea that longevity is confined to traditional “Blue Zones”.
Why it matters:
Longevity is shaped by the interplay between demographic dynamics, non-communicable diseases burden, lifestyle patterns, and territorial context.
Our findings highlight the need for region‑specific strategies to promote healthy aging and reduce geographical disparities across the country.
