In the rugged interior of Sardinia, the village of Bolotana has quietly become a focal point for longevity researchers. A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Aging reveals that women born there can expect to live to 91 years on average—more than two years longer than the Italian national figure. The findings suggest that Bolotana may join the ranks of the world's most celebrated longevity hotspots, such as Okinawa in Japan and Ikaria in Greece.
The research, led by S. Jay Olshansky from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health, analysed demographic records from the village, which has just over 2,300 residents. The team found that women in Bolotana are three times more likely to reach their 100th birthday than women elsewhere in Italy. Specifically, 13.8% of women who reach age 70 will live to 100, compared with roughly 3.5% in Italy and 3.6% in the United States.
“We think this is the longest-lived female population in the world, or close to it,” Olshansky said. Among international benchmarks, Bolotana women ranked second only to Hong Kong for both remaining life expectancy at age 70 and survival to age 100.
A village with exceptional records
Bolotana first drew attention because of its unusual concentration of centenarians. In 2024, six residents were aged 100 or older—a prevalence roughly 11 times higher than in the United States. The study documented 38 centenarians among 3,060 people born in the village between 1900 and 1925.
What makes Bolotana particularly valuable for research is its meticulous historical record-keeping. “The municipal and baptismal records date back centuries and allowed us to independently verify ages,” Olshansky explained. This level of documentation is rare and helps confirm that the longevity is real, not a statistical artefact.
The findings suggest that Bolotana could represent a new “blue zone”—a region where people live unusually long lives, with a disproportionately high number of nonagenarians and centenarians. Other confirmed blue zones include Okinawa, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, and Ikaria.
Why do these women live so long?
While the study confirms that something remarkable is happening, it does not pinpoint the exact causes. However, the authors highlight several contributing factors: diet, genetics, physical activity, family support, and social cohesion.
Most food in Bolotana is grown locally, including olive oil rich in healthy fats. Families often live close together, and social isolation is rare. “You've got this close-knit community where people take care of each other,” Olshansky said. “Movement is largely done by walking, not by driving.”
The findings add to a growing body of research on longevity, which has also examined gender disparities in health and the broader determinants of healthy ageing. While the exact recipe for Bolotana's longevity remains elusive, the village offers a natural laboratory for understanding how lifestyle and community can extend life.
As researchers continue to study this Sardinian enclave, the hope is that lessons from Bolotana could inform public health strategies across Europe and beyond. For now, the women of Bolotana serve as a living testament to the potential of a simple, connected, and active life.
