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.
A new report reveals millions of mums and children face quietly pervasive economic coercion – with family budgets being used as tools for domestic abuse.
Abuse isn’t always obvious – least not when it takes place in the domestic sphere. But new figures from the charity Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) show that financial coercion is quietly affecting a staggering number of women and children. It’s a form of violence that remains underreported...
Lack of research and misdiagnosis is forcing couples, disproportionately women, into gruelling fertility treatment.
When a couple struggles to conceive, you would expect both partners to be treated equally during the process of diagnosis. But fertility care still leans heavily toward invasive focus on the woman and little attention on the man.
Not only does this imbalance place the onus of fertility struggles onto women, who then face an isolating sense...
On November 4, 2025, 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani was elected as the first Muslim mayor in New York City. And this is largely due to the influence of Gen Z.
After four long years of subpar mayoral leadership, New Yorkers, especially Gen Z, are ready for a change.
As of November 4, 2025, Zohran Mamdani is the change New York so desperately needed. The significance of the 34-year-old's mayoral win extends beyond...
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, UN Women reveal a disturbing rise in violent abuse toward women in digital spaces – with little consequence for perpetrators.
A few years ago, someone described the internet to me as ‘the world’s biggest public square,’ which sounded charming until I remembered that public squares throughout history have also hosted witch trials, duels, riots, and the occasional beheading.
The past year...
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.