title: Nonagenarians and centenarians in Switzerland, 1860-2001: a demographic analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the rapid rise of the extremely old population, showing the magnitude of the increase and identifying demographic mechanisms underlying this increase.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic analysis using census data, yearly population estimates, and mortality statistics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Switzerland 1860-2001.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Indicators suggest a strong increase in the number of nonagenarians and centenarians in Switzerland as compared with other countries. The increase is mostly attributable to the decline in mortality after age 80. This decline started in the 1950s.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nonagenarians and centenarians constitute a new population, which became sizeable after 1950 in Switzerland. There is a need to monitor this population with appropriate demographic and epidemiological indicators.
authors.affiliation: Group Health and Demography, University of Montpellier 1, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Robine
authors.forename: Fred
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Paccaud
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy / Q000639:trends; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology