Abstract: When discussing longevity levels, the centenarian population representing an extremely significant group is often overlooked. Based on data from the Seventh National Population Census, China surpassed the United States and had the largest number of centenarians in the world in 2020. China’s proportion of centenarians was also higher than the global average, becoming a country with a huge longevity population. However, there remains a gap compared to developed regions, and further progress is needed to become a leading country in longevity. In China, the eastern regions have the highest number and proportion of centenarians. Urban centenarians outnumber their rural counterparts, and about 70.4% of centenarians are female. The number and proportion of centenarians have increased across different ethnic groups, though disparities exist. To transition from a country with a huge longevity population to a leading country in longevity, China should rely on high-quality development led by the Chinese Path to Modernization. The government should implement comprehensive policies integrating political guidance, economic development, social security, cultural and spiritual life, and environmental protection to promote the development of longevity.

Keywords: Centenarians, Longevity, Major Country in Longevity, Leading Country in Longevity, Chinese Path to Modernization

摘要： 在探讨长寿水平时，百岁老人这一极具代表性的群体常被忽略。基于第七次全国人口普查数据的分析显示，2020年中国已超越美国成为世界上百岁老人最多的国家，百岁老人比例已超过世界平均水平，中国已成为名副其实的长寿大国，但与发达地区相比仍然存在一定差距，还需要向长寿强国迈进。中国东部地区的百岁老人数量最多且百岁老人比例最高，生活在城镇的百岁老人数量超过农村，70.4%的百岁老人都是女性，绝大多数民族百岁老人的数量和比例均有所提升但各民族间仍存在差异。中国要实现从长寿大国到长寿强国的跨越，必须依靠以中国式现代化为引领的高质量发展。政府应在政治引领、经济发展、社会保障、精神文化和环境保护领域综合施策，推动中国的长寿时代向更高水平、更深层次发展。

关键词: 百岁老人, 长寿, 长寿大国, 长寿强国, 中国式现代化