Scientists say human lifespan may have hit its limit

Immortality is not destined for us. The latest research indicates that not only should we not dream of eternal life, but we should also forget about significant extensions in longevity. Scientists suggest that we have already reached the upper limit of average life expectancy. However, as a consolation, they add that it is hard to predict the future.

The portal fitbook.de highlights that life expectancy has significantly increased in Germany over recent decades. Data from the Federal Statistical Office reveals that in 1871, the average life expectancy for men was only 35.6 years and 38.5 years for women. Today, the average life expectancy has risen to 78 years for men and 83 years for women.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, the rapid increase in average life expectancy up to the mid-20th century is largely due to the decrease in infant mortality. Other important factors include advances in medical care, hygiene, nutrition, living conditions, as well as improvements in working conditions and increased material well-being, as pointed out by fitbook.de

Following this logic, one might assume that the next 150 years could bring another doubling average life expectancy or a considerable increase in the upper limit. Unfortunately, the latest scientific research indicates that this is an unlikely scenario. American scientists from the University of Illinois point out that despite advances in medicine and genetics, we should not expect a significant increase in average life expectancy.

We need to accept the new reality that there is a limit to how long we can live, stated S. Jay Olshansky, commenting on his research results in the journal "Nature Aging".

American researchers used data from the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research from 1990 to 2019 to study the progression of average life expectancy and its upper limit. They focused on eight countries where people live the longest: Australia, France, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The study also included data from Hong Kong and the USA, even though the United States does not appear on the list of the 40 countries with the highest average life expectancy. Based on the analysis, scientists reached several conclusions. The first is that men will continue to live shorter lives than women.

Secondly, although life expectancy is expected to continue increasing, it will do so at a much slower pace. Where does this conclusion come from? From 1990 to 2010, average life expectancy increased by about 2.5 years per decade. Since 2010, in countries with the highest average life expectancy, it has increased by only 1.5 years.

The third conclusion is that life expectancy has an upper limit, which cannot be shifted despite technological progress and medical advancements. - We're squeezing less and less life out of these life-extending technologies. And the reason is that aging gets in the way, adds S. Jay Olshansky, as quoted by fitbook.de.

Scientists acknowledge that based on current data, the upper limit of life span has almost been reached. However, they leave room for possibilities, noting that it is uncertain "how advances in medicine (e.g., cancer therapies) and healthcare (especially in older age) will further extend life expectancy."