Pitkäikäiset

Pitkäikäiset is the Finnish term for long-lived individuals or organisms. The word combines pitkä (long) with ikäinen/ikä (age) and the plural suffix -iset. In common usage it can refer to humans who reach advanced ages, centenarians, as well as species with exceptional lifespans.

Longevity refers to the duration of life and is distinguished from life expectancy, which is an average for a population. Long life may result from a mix of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, and it is studied in demography, biogerontology, and comparative biology. Healthspan, the portion of life spent in good health, is a central concern alongside total lifespan.

In humans, long life is associated with centenarians (aged 100+), with life expectancy rising in many countries due to improved healthcare, nutrition, and living conditions. Genetics, education, income, physical activity, and avoidance of smoking are among contributing factors. Research often uses cohort and twin studies, as well as laboratory models of aging, to understand mechanisms.

Across species, some organisms show extreme longevity. The bowhead whale can exceed two centuries, the Greenland shark is estimated to live several centuries, and certain trees such as bristlecone pines exceed thousands of years. In humans, the oldest verified individual lived to 122 years.

In policy and science, the study of pitkäikäiset informs debates on aging populations, healthcare planning, and interventions to extend healthspan.