A new Blue Zone, where people live longer, has been identified in Europe. There were only 5 in the world until now — This region might soon join the ranks of other Blue Zones known for long-lasting lives.

Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia: A Contender for a New Blue Zone in Europe

The term “Blue Zone” refers to special areas around the world where people enjoy incredible longevity, living significantly longer than average. Following an intriguing study that looked into lifestyle factors, health management, and the local demographics, we might now add a part of Finland to this exclusive list. In particular, the bilingual regions of Ostrobothnia, alongside Swedish-speaking Åland and Finnish-speaking South Ostrobothnia, were highlighted in the Journal of Ageing Research. The emphasis was on how a healthier lifestyle can stretch life expectancy.

Fall Colors on River Oulujoki at Oulu (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Heikki Salmi) — Autumn colors paint the Oulujoki River in Oulu, Finland. (Image Source: Getty Images | Credit: Heikki Salmi)

Longevity in Blue Zones

Famous examples of Blue Zones include places like Ogliastra in Italy, Ikaria in Greece, and Okinawa in Japan. Findings from the study showcased that the Swedish-speaking section of Ostrobothnia reflected commendable health levels and adhered closely to lifestyles synonymous with Blue Zones. While South Ostrobothnia marked lower life scores, the study from Åbo Akademi University pointed towards a surprising connection between longevity, health, and lifestyle factors differing credibly across sociocultural landscapes, as noted by Sarah Åkerman, lead author.

Aerial view of an old lighthouse and small fishing huts on Hailuoto island in Northern Finland (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Miemo Penttinen) — An overview of the historic lighthouse at Hailuoto island, a perfect calm in Northern Finland. (Image Source: Getty Images | Credit: Miemo Penttinen)

Analyzing Patterns of Longevity

Knewz.com informed us that Sarah Åkerman, who serves as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Social Policy and a lead investigator of the Blue Zones study in the Nordics at Åbo Akademi University, found no straightforward behaviors that distinctly tied longevity to a health-supporting lifestyle in these areas. Although Åland topping the life expectancy charts boasts incredible health standards, it seemed to miss some of the key lifestyle aspects that go hand in hand with longevity. Thus, one must wonder whether additional influences contribute to life expectancy on Åland. Analysis revealed that the Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia and South Ostrobothnia showcased superior health-boosting lifestyles.

Oulu, Finland, landscape and cityscape under midnight sun (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Ivan Lesic) — Oulu, Finland, glimmers under the midnight sun, creating a unique landscape. (Image Source: Getty Images | Credit: Ivan Lesic)

Non-Strict Yet Telling Findings

Despite fitting into many health criteria, South Ostrobothnia recorded a lower than average life expectancy amongst its demographic. Comparing statistics puts current life expectancy at 83.1 years—again, surpassing both the Finnish national average (81.6 years) and the worldwide average (73.1 years). More insight into these remarkable life spans in Ostrobothnia, particularly regarding the Swedish-speaking community, is in demand—especially according to principles discussed by IFLScience. It aligns conveniently with Finland’s recurrence at the top concerning happiness and lifestyle indices.

Canoeing at Oulanka river, Oulanka National Park, Kuusamo region, Finland (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Gonzalo Azumendi) — Canoeing pursuits in the exquisite Oulanka National Park illustrate a serene escape in Finland. (Image Source: Getty Images | Credit: Gonzalo Azumendi)

Diving into Unique Influencers

As the team says, “Nordic regions that boast longevity don’t strictly adhere to renowned Blue Zone lifestyles,” laying a strong sense of potential without fit-saving sudden vast expectations. Ongoing studies may shed light on community-centric factors influencing these trends. The conversation around cultural nuances serves to expand comprehension of healthy aging in Nordic areas, and through tailored health-advocating campaigns, they undoubtedly hope for progress. Moving ahead, these efforts aim at drafting the defining aspects of Blue Zones intelligently—from what we know, it anticipates intriguing developments ahead for this promising region.