Here for a long time, not a good time
Some news this week out of the UK about increasing average life expectancy is not that surprising but totally terrifying.
We’re all living longer – sounds great at first but it needs some serious examination.
A study, led by scientists from Imperial College London in collaboration with the World Health Organization, analysed long-term data on mortality and longevity trends to predict how life expectancy will change in 35 industrialised countries by 2030.
According to the study, the five countries with the highest life expectancy at birth for men in 2030 were: South Korea (84.1), Australia (84.0), Switzerland (84.0), Canada (83.9), Netherlands (83.7)
It also found the five countries with the highest life expectancy for 65-year-old men in 2030 were: Canada (22.6 additional life years), New Zealand (22.5), Australia (22.2), South Korea (22.0), Ireland (21.7).
That means a 52-year-old man can expect to live to be almost 88, speaking in terms of averages.
In general, life expectancy is 20 years longer than it was in 1920.
Life expectancy has been increasing with every generation and with that comes changes. For example, women are no longer expected to get married at 13 and have as many babies as possible before dying at the age of 50, if they don’t die in childbirth.
Looking ahead to how longevity will change our social norms, employment is an obvious factor.
The baby boomers retired in their 50s with nice big pensions and investments, prepared to live out their years while maintaining a certain lifestyle.
For many others, any kind of lifestyle is only affordable if that retirement date is pushed back, way back.
It’s terrifying to think we may live longer than we can afford to. Children today should be counselled to plan for a career that they will really enjoy and be utterly adaptable to changing technology, because they will be working for a very long time. And their problems are only compounded by an out-of-reach housing market and increased basic living expenses.
According to Professor Majid Ezzati, lead researcher from the School of Public Health at Imperial College London, scientists once thought an average life expectancy of over 90 was impossible. “We repeatedly hear that improvements in human longevity are about to come to an end,” she said. “Many people used to believe that 90 years is the upper limit for life expectancy, but this research suggests we will break the 90-year barrier. I don’t believe we’re anywhere near the upper limit of life expectancy – if there even is one.”
Keep in mind, once again, that is the average, so many would live longer. In this case, more time on earth means more planning, more work and more to worry about. It seems Trooper had it wrong, we may be here for a long time, not a good time.
Go back to smoking and microwaving your lunch in a plastic container
Average life expectancy is set to increase in many countries by 2030 – and will exceed 90 years in South Korea, according to new research, attributed to lifestyle and access to healthcare.
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Nations in the study included both high-income countries, such as the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Australia, and emerging economies such as Poland, Mexico and the Czech Republic.
The study, published in The Lancet and funded by the UK Medical Research Council, revealed all nations in the study can expect to see an increase in life expectancy by 2030.
