Singapore Earns Blue Zone 2.0 Status: The Secrets Behind Its Longevity
Singapore has been officially designated as the world’s most advanced ‘Blue Zone’ region. This affirmation was delivered directly by Dan Buettner, the pioneer of the ‘Blue Zone’ concept, in a statement to CNBC Make It.
The Blue Zone designation refers to regions with the highest concentration of centenarians (citizens aged 100 or older). The five original Blue Zones were Ikaria (Greece), Okinawa (Japan), Nicoya (Costa Rica), Sardinia (Italy), and Loma Linda (USA). According to Buettner, Singapore is now considered a ‘Blue Zone 2.0’.
“Singapore has… the highest adjusted healthy life expectancy in the world. So whatever Singapore does, they are striving to produce the longest and healthiest lives on the planet,” said Buettner.
While the original Blue Zones emerged due to natural circumstances, Blue Zone 2.0 is man-made, which is the case with Singapore. “The old Blue Zones are disappearing due to Americanisation,” Buettner added. “Mechanisation is replacing physical activity, and technology is severing human connection and face-to-face interaction.”
In his research, Buettner and his team identified the core factors representing the habits of the world’s healthiest and longest-living people, which he calls the ‘Power 9’. These nine principles include: moving naturally in daily life, having a sense of purpose, maintaining routines to reduce stress, eating until 80% full, eating more plant-based foods, moderate and regular alcohol consumption, being part of a community, keeping loved ones close, and being surrounded by people with healthy habits.
Several health drivers have been integrated into Singapore’s policies:
Walking
While people in various parts of the world drive from place to place, a large portion of Singaporeans walk. However, this is usually done out of necessity rather than for exercise. “Singapore, in my view, brilliantly taxes cars, taxes petrol, taxes through road usage… and then invests massively in walkability, bikeability, and public transport,” Buettner told CNBC.
It is well known that to purchase a car in Singapore, one must first obtain a Certificate of Entitlement (COE), the price of which can be more expensive than the car itself. “It is not just a coincidence; it is very good planning… as a result, you get people out from behind the wheel and standing,” he added.
Keeping Loved Ones Close
Research shows that people in Blue Zones tend to prioritise their loved ones and keep them close. This is evident in Singapore’s Proximity Housing Grant, which provides financial incentives for citizens to live with or near their parents and children. “Rather than housing the elderly in nursing homes, as we do in the US, the elderly there remain connected to their families. They often receive better care from family, which supports the life expectancy of the elderly,” Buettner explained.
Sense of Belonging
Being part of a faith-based community correlates with longer life expectancy. According to the Pew Research Center, almost 80% of Singaporean adults are affiliated with a religion. Furthermore, a 2014 Pew study ranked the city-state as the most religiously diverse country in the world. “All but five of the 263 centenarians we interviewed came from faith-based communities,” said Buettner. “Research shows that attending religious services four times a month can add 4–14 years to life expectancy.”
Healthy Habits
Singapore has succeeded in making healthy food cheaper and more accessible than junk food. The nation has created incentives for food companies to provide healthier options. Choices such as brown rice and grains are being promoted by the Health Promotion Board. The Ministry of Health has also implemented a labelling system to show citizens which eateries offer healthier options. Additionally, “Smoking has become difficult, unattractive, and expensive,” said Bulette. “Singapore has done a good job with cigarette pack imagery, featuring oral cancer images… they were one of the first countries to tax cigarettes.”
Accessible Healthcare
Singaporeans enjoy universal healthcare, meaning residents have access to quality medical services, including prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care. The government has worked to create policies that subsidise healthcare costs. “In America, healthcare is very expensive and inefficient in producing health because the priority regulating policy is economics,” said Buettner. “The agenda of Lee Kuan Yew and his colleagues was different. They actually sought to ensure the society remained healthy, rather than seeking to make money from the people,” he added, referring to the founding father of Singapore.
Law Enforcement
Singapore is famous for its strict laws. Prohibitions on chewing gum or eating on public transport are popular examples. However, the nation is also known for being extremely strict regarding weapons and drugs. Violations of both can result in imprisonment, caning, or even the death penalty. “The fact that illegal firearms in Singapore [are virtually non-existent]… in terms of life expectancy, this is a very smart policy.”