Slowing growth in life expectancy means few people will live to 100
New ScientistOCT 12 2024
Data from the world's longest-lived populations show that the life-expectancy improvements made in the 20th century have slowed in the past three decades.
Those born recently in these regions are far from likely to turn centenarians, with only 15% females and 5% males expected to cross that milestone this century.
The average global life expectancy rose from 48 in 1900 to 67 in 1950 and 76 by the turn of the millennium. But by 2021, it touched only 77 and not 83 as expected.
Despite concerns about slowing growth in life expectancy, many countries are still on track for significant gains by 2030. Even though some nations like the United States may lag behind, the overall trend is positive. Researchers emphasize that we're likely far from hitting any upper limit on human longevity, suggesting that with continued improvements in healthcare, nutrition, and lifestyle, people around the world can look forward to longer, healthier lives in the coming decades.
Aside from the great strides taken in extending human life and recent fears that those gains may be slowing, what ought to worry us more is that the gap between lifespan and healthspan is widening. Many people now spend their later years battling chronic conditions. It's more valuable to live fewer years in good health than to eke out a longer existence plagued by disease. This shift in perspective challenges us to prioritize not just longevity, but the quality of our extended lives.