Tag: Longevity

Human Interest

Saudi Arabia’s Oldest Man, Claimed to Be 142, Dies in Riyadh, Leaving Behind 134 Descendants from Multiple Marriages

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Rency Gomes, Team Allycaral

Al Wadaei, widely regarded as Saudi Arabia’s oldest man, passed away in Riyadh on January 11, 2026, at a claimed age of 142, according to family members and local reports. His death marked the end of a life that, as relatives describe, spanned nearly every phase of the modern Saudi state.

Born around 1884 in the Dhahran Al Janub region of southern Saudi Arabia, Al Wadaei was believed to have witnessed the reign of all Saudi monarchs, from King Abdulaziz Al Saud, who unified the Kingdom in 1932, to the current ruler, King Salman bin Abdulaziz. Family members often referred to him as a living link to the country’s past, recalling stories of life before oil transformed the nation.

According to relatives, Al Wadaei performed the Hajj pilgrimage more than 40 times and remained active well into advanced age. He was known for regularly visiting mosques and for mediating disputes within his community, earning respect as an elder whose advice was valued.

He is survived by 134 children and grandchildren from multiple marriages, forming what his family described as a large and close-knit household. More than 7,000 people reportedly attended his funeral in Dhahran Al Janub, reflecting the esteem and recognition he commanded in the region.

Despite widespread belief in his extraordinary longevity, Al Wadaei’s age was never officially verified. Civil birth records in Saudi Arabia were introduced decades after his reported birth, and his claim was not recognised by Guinness World Records. Even so, for those who knew him, his long life, wisdom, and enduring presence remain a powerful legacy that transcends official documentation.

International

Japan Tops 95,000 Centenarians Amid Growing Demographic Crisis

Tanisha Cardozo

Japan has reached a new milestone in longevity, with over 95,119 people aged 100 or older, nearly 90% of whom are women, according to data released by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on September 1, 2024. This figure marks an increase of 2,980 centenarians from the previous year and highlights the rapid pace of aging in the nation.

The number of elderly (aged 65 and above) also hit a record 36.25 million, now accounting for 29.3% of the population. These trends place Japan firmly at the top among countries with more than 100,000 citizens in terms of elderly population proportion. Meanwhile, Japan’s total population continues to decline, now standing at 124 million—down 595,000 from the previous year—due to low birth rates and high longevity.

A Looming Economic Concern

The increasing number of elderly citizens is placing unprecedented pressure on Japan’s social welfare and healthcare systems. The shrinking labor force is struggling to support the growing retired population, leading to concerns over long-term economic sustainability.

To combat the demographic imbalance, the Japanese government has implemented measures such as raising the retirement age. Starting fiscal year 2025, the standard retirement age will officially be 65 for all employers. However, experts note that these efforts have so far had limited impact on reversing the decline.

Why It Matters

Japan’s demographic dilemma is a warning for other aging nations. As countries across Europe and Asia begin to experience similar trends, Japan offers a live case study of the challenges and potential solutions facing aging societies worldwide.

Will policy changes come fast enough to support Japan’s aging population, or will economic and social pressures continue to mount? The answer may shape the global conversation on aging and sustainability.