A region in Western Finland may soon join the ranks of the world’s famed Blue Zones—places where people live significantly longer and healthier lives than average.
According to a new study from Åbo Akademi University, Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia shows strong similarities to established Blue Zones, thanks to its long life expectancy, good health, and lifestyle habits that promote well-being.
Blue Zones are regions known for unusually high numbers of people living into their 90s and beyond, often in good health.
The concept originally came from demographic studies but has since expanded to include lifestyle research.
Populations in Blue Zones tend to eat nutritious foods, stay physically active in daily life, nurture close social ties, and live with a strong sense of purpose. Some of the best-known examples include Okinawa in Japan, Ikaria in Greece, Ogliastra in Italy, and Martinique in the Caribbean.
The new Finnish study, published in the Journal of Aging Research, examined how health and lifestyle align in three regions with varying life expectancies: Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia, the Åland Islands, and Finnish-speaking South Ostrobothnia.
Researchers used national statistics and survey data from more than 12,000 older adults born between 1930 and 1955.
Among the regions studied, Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia stood out as having both strong health and the closest adherence to the “Blue Zone lifestyle.”
This includes habits such as healthy eating, regular but moderate physical activity, and strong community engagement.
Because of these findings, the researchers suggest that Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia could be considered a potential new Blue Zone, though further demographic studies are needed to confirm the extraordinary longevity reported in this group.
Åland, on the other hand, had the highest life expectancy and best health outcomes but did not align with many of the lifestyle principles typically seen in Blue Zones. Apart from offering a pleasant environment, the region did not reflect the same cultural and lifestyle patterns linked to longevity elsewhere. This suggests that factors beyond lifestyle—such as healthcare access or socio-economic conditions—may play a role in Åland’s longer life expectancy.
Interestingly, South Ostrobothnia presented a paradox. Residents there reported following healthy lifestyle practices similar to those in Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia, yet they showed the poorest health and the lowest life expectancy of the three groups. This disconnect highlights that living healthily does not always guarantee longer life at the population level.
Sarah Åkerman, the study’s principal investigator, explained that the relationship between longevity, health, and lifestyle is shaped by cultural, social, political, and economic contexts. The team stresses the importance of further research to understand these dynamics and to see how lifestyle choices can best support healthy aging.
The findings are part of the Blue Zones in the Nordics project, which runs until 2026. By deepening our understanding of how lifestyle, environment, and culture intersect in Northern Europe, the project could offer valuable lessons not only for Finland but for aging populations worldwide.
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