Though human life expectancy has risen – and some people are attempting to ‘live forever’ – Dutch scientists believe they have figured out the ultimate ‘ceiling’ of the human lifespan.
Radical improvements to medical care, nutrition, and overall living conditions have all contributed to lengthening the average human lifespan.
During the 1950s, humans in North America and Europe who lived beyond 70 years of age were considered lucky. In Latin America and the Caribbean, most people would not live beyond 48 years. Those living in Africa had the lowest life expectancy of all, at 37.6 years.
Looking at the chart below, we can see how much things have changed in just a few decades.
Still, human beings were not designed to be immortal. Even in relatively safe countries where exceptional healthcare is available, there appears to be a maximum age that humans are biologically capable of living to – at least that’s what Dutch statisticians believe.
Expert statisticians from Tilburg and Erasmus universities in Rotterdam teamed up to analyse a huge dataset, one which recorded the exact age at death for around 75,000 Dutch individuals.
They wanted to figure out what the maximum age for life would be – not what the average lifespan of its individuals were. Considering that the data stretched over three modern decades, it was able to provide a solid foundation for the researchers’ claims.
After sorting and investigating the data, the experts believe that the maximum age limit for women sits at around 115.7 years. For males, the age ceiling sits slightly below at 114.1 years.
‘On average, people live longer, but the very oldest among us have not gotten older over the last thirty years,’ said Professor John Einmahl, one of the leading scientists behind the study.
In other words, there may be a lot more people in society reaching beyond the age of 100 – but it is almost impossible for them to surpass a certain point. They called this the age ‘wall’.
Of course, there will always be someone who – by chance – makes us question what we believe to be true.
Take, the oldest person to ever live: Jeanne Calment. Livin in France, she reached the age of 122 years and 164 days.
There are also people who are purposely making every attempt to live ‘forever’. Bryan Johnson, a 46-year-old tech entrepreneur who is living according to an algorithmically calculated life-extension plan, believes he will do so.
In contemplating the road ahead, inquiries inspired by studies of this nature transcend mere numerical data.
They evoke profound reflections on the intricacies of the human experience, the essence of our being, and the intricate interplay between the world around us and our well-being.
While the limits of existence may appear fixed, the discourse surrounding the potential of humanity – and its desire to keep on living – remains endlessly open.
Deputy Editor & Content Partnership ManagerLondon, UK
I’m Jessica (She/Her). I’m the Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager at Thred. Originally from the island of Bermuda, I specialise in writing about ocean health and marine conservation, but you can also find me delving into pop culture, health and wellness, plus sustainability in the beauty and fashion industries. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which represents a fundamental element of American soft power and is one of the most consequential development agencies in the world, is closing its doors.
While curtains never truly ‘fall’, there are flagging budget cuts, evolving US foreign policy objectives, and a rising tide of domestic investment that are all signaling a slow but inevitable decline. For Africa, it is the end...
I spoke with Ebru Baybara Demir, an award-winning social gastronomy chef from Türkiye, about how gastronomy can impact communities, people, and the environment.
Ebru Baybara Demir has been a driving force behind the transformation of a small city in eastern Türkiye: Mardin.
Like the butterfly effect, her dream of turning Mardin into a tourist destination led to change. Many local women, some of whom had no access to formal education, joined...
The scandal that has made its way up the government’s hierarchy has faced harsh penalties from the EU. However, these may ultimately affect honest farmers.
Back in its archaic days, clientelism was central to Greece. This system saw citizens relying on patronage from esteemed parties, normally political, in exchange for their loyalty or service.
Today, we refer to this act as a class of corruption, and the Greek government has once...
Rachel Reeves’ display of emotion in the House of Commons has been met with criticism and a stock market nose-dive. Why is the image of an emotional woman still so controversial?
The UKs first female Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, cried in the Commons last week. Her tears led to a crash in the pound, attracted widespread criticism from political commentators, and triggered rumours that she was either about to leave her...
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.