Michel Poulain

Michel Poulain, PhD, is a Belgian demographer and researcher specializing in longevity studies and international migration statistics. Originally trained in astrophysics at the University of Liège, he later earned his PhD in demography from UCLouvain, where he is now an emeritus professor. He also serves as a senior researcher at the Estonian Institute for Population Studies at Tallinn University.

His work in migration statistics has influenced European and global policies, notably through his contributions to the European Union’s THESIM project and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Since 1992, he has played a key role in validating the ages of supercentenarians and studying patterns of exceptional longevity.

In 2000, Poulain coined the term “Blue Zone” to describe regions where people live significantly longer lives. Alongside Gianni Pes, he identified Sardinia as the first Blue Zone, later collaborating with Dan Buettner to expand research into Okinawa, Costa Rica, and Ikaria (Greece). His insights continue to shape the global understanding of longevity and healthy aging.