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 Zone cities, urban areas where residents have the highest odds of living past 100.
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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.
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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.
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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 cities where you’re most likely to live to 100:
| City | QoL Rank (City) | Environment Rank (City) | Life Expectancy by Country | Quality and Safety of Food (Nationwide) | Physical Inactivity Average Adults (70+) | Longevity Score |
| Bergen | 4 | 15 | 83.76 | 60.4 | 47 | 88.87 |
| Canberra | 2 | 194 | 84.34 | 61.1 | 45.5 | 82.83 |
| Nantes | 10 | 77 | 83.7 | 69 | 44 | 81.2 |
| Grenoble | 1 | 283 | 83.7 | 69 | 44 | 77.23 |
| Bern | 3 | 396 | 84.37 | 76.8 | 37.5 | 76.96 |
| Reykjavik | 7 | 349 | 83.3 | 77 | 25 | 76.27 |
| Lausanne | 26 | 170 | 84.37 | 76.8 | 37.5 | 75.35 |
| Zurich | 8 | 382 | 84.37 | 76.8 | 37.5 | 75.23 |
| Basel | 5 | 421 | 84.37 | 76.8 | 37.5 | 75.07 |
| Quebec City | 12 | 261 | 83.05 | 75.7 | 43 | 74.88 |
You can access the complete research findings here.
1. Bergen, Norway
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Quality of life rank: 4th globally
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Environment rank: 15th globally
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National life expectancy: 83.76 years
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Food quality and safety score: 60.4
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Physical inactivity among adults 70+: 47%
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Longevity score: 88.87
Bergen 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 Blue Zone city. 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. 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 quality of life. 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 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.”