As winter drags on and daylight hours shrink, questions about what makes a good life are on many minds. Ongoing research suggests parts of Finland may offer some answers.
Swedish-speaking Ostrobothnia is emerging as a potential Blue Zone, a region where people live longer, healthier lives.
This week's All Points North podcast explores how Finland may quietly be joining the ranks of the world’s Blue Zones.
Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Blue Zones are best known in sun-soaked places like Okinawa and Sardinia, where communities consistently produce residents who live past 100. These regions have inspired books, diets, and documentaries on longevity.
In Finland, researchers are noting similar patterns despite the country's dark winters and cold climate. Ostrobothnia stands out for its long life expectancy, strong health indicators, and lifestyle habits comparable to those seen in well-known Blue Zones.
A Blue Zone is defined by more than just lifespan. It's about the quality of life. Communities share traits such as simple, healthy diets, moderate exercise, strong social connections, and a sense of purpose. Stability, low stress, and respect for older adults are also key.
Statistics Finland reports that life expectancy in 2024 reached record highs: newborn boys are expected to live 79.6 years and girls 84.8 years.
With slightly higher life expectancy, Åland remains the region with the highest life expectancy, but researchers note that it does not fully adhere to the lifestyle patterns seen in classic Blue Zones.
Community matters
Sarah Åkerman, principal investigator of the Blue Zones in the Nordics project at Åbo Akademi University, highlights the role of both individual behaviour and broader societal factors.
"It's not just an individual lifestyle, but a flourishing community where people have strong social ties — also across generations," she told Yle News' All Points North podcast.
"We know that among the Swedish speakers who are located on the western coast, there are high levels of social capital, where the minority status can be beneficial in the sense that it boosts social ties and connections."
Nutrition also plays a central role, and Finns are already showing signs of change. Sales of fresh produce are up, and meat consumption is down.
On an individual level, dietitian Anna-Kaisa Manolova points to small, everyday choices that can make a difference. Eating more fruits, vegetables, and fiber, introducing variety, and keeping traditional foods like rye bread on the menu all help support gut health and overall longevity.
Join the conversation!
Zena Iovino produced and presented this episode of All Points North. The sound engineer was Katri Koivula.
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