How long will people be able to live in the future?

Lifespan human population has increased significantly in recent years. But have we reached the limit? According to a recent study published in PLOS OneIf this limit exists, we haven’t reached it yet.

In fact, they calculate that, based on the trends of the past decades, perhaps this lifespan limit can be reached. in 2060. However, it is unknown how old she will be.

At the moment, the record holder for age is a man. Jeanne Calmentwho died in 1997 with 122 years old. He fenced until the age of 86 and rode a bicycle until the age of 100. He walked without a cane until the age of 114 and, incredibly, quit smoking at 117. This is a very interesting case. However, for the authors of this new study, the record could go far beyond his age. Who will be next? We’ll have to wait to find out…

Life expectancy by years

Life expectancy in the world has changed a lot in recent years. It is estimated that in the Paleolithic people lived an average of 22 to 33 years, and the longest lived They were barely 50.

Later every culture, with various scientific achievements, as well as various susceptibility to diseases and health conditions, had their own life expectancy. However, in general, these were approximately the same numbers, and on average used for no more than 30 years. The big leap took place at the beginning of the 20th century, when the world average was 50 to 65 years old. Currently, people live on average around the world from 70 to 73 years. However, there is a big difference between countries. For example, in Spain, according to INE, life expectancy from birth is 79.6 years for men and 85.1 years for women..

But this is average. there are more and more centennial people. They often live in rural areas. This suggests that lifestyle has a lot to do with it. But, logically, success in health too. Many once fatal diseases are now easily cured. However, there are some that present a challenge to science.

We don’t know the limit yet

This study, which has just been published, is of statistical origin only. Mainly analyzed How has life expectancy changed in the world? in recent decades to see if we have achieved plateau. And it doesn’t look like it.

Based on this analysis, some people who born before 1950 they could break lifespan records in the coming decades. Although this requires that their health is guaranteed by political and economic stability. This is important because advances in medicine alone are not enough. If a country, for example, makes it difficult for its entire population to access public health, it is much more difficult for them to age healthy.

Now where and how far is next post? These scientists don’t know. They believe that someone is born between 1930 and 1940 I could beat him. And they know that Japanese women, the longest-lived women in the world, are excellent candidates. But it’s impossible to be sure.

On the other hand, as recalled in IFLScience, in 2021 a study was published in which they ventured to give a figure. Based only on indicators of health and leaving statistics aside, its authors concluded that it is possible that a person’s useful life cannot exceed 150 years. This is a generous increase considering the case of Jeanne Calment is indeed unusual. However, there is another stream of scientists who go further and believe that thanks to the achievements of science and technology, it is possible to live forever. This is the most utopian hypothesis with the current media.

Therefore, it is better to go in stages. At the moment, the authors of this statistical study believe that the limit can be reached in 2060. In the coming years, we may see new records, and the case of Jeanne Calment may seem more and more traditional. That would be a great sign, but we must be patient.