Living 100 years and beyond: insights from Ethiopian centenarians on contexts contributing to extreme longevity

Purpose Extreme longevity is considered a sign of healthy ageing. While healthy ageing is a global goal, centenarian studies in Africa remain scanty. Design/methodology/approach Framed by the life course and social capital theoretical frameworks, this case study aimed to explore the factors contributing to longevity based on perceptions of nine community-dwelling centenarians in Ethiopia. SNarrative data collected through in-depth interviews were analyzed thematically. Findings Ethiopian centenarians considered religious beliefs and practices, heredity, dietary habits, stable marriages and strong work habits as important factors contributing to their longevity. Additionally, individual traits such as resilience, self-discipline and emotional stability strengthened adaptation to lifelong adversity. Practical implications Longevity is a cumulative phenomenon influenced by biological, psycho-social and ecological factors across the life course in both temporal and spatial dimensions. Policy, research and practice must focus on strengthening holistic well-being while ensuring cultural sensitivity in promoting healthy aging in Africa to age 100 and beyond. Originality/value The study aimed to generate in-depth insights into how Ethiopian centenarians have lived for extended years, to identify the biological, socioeconomic and behavioral factors contributing to extreme longevity in the Ethiopian context, and to capture the lived experiences of centenarians.