The slowdown reflects where gains have come from. Early in the last century, preventing deaths in childhood drove big leaps in average lifespan. Those wins are largely in the rearview mirror. Advances now hinge on extending healthy years for older people, which is harder and more expensive. That reality raises practical questions about how societies invest in prevention, chronic care, and policies that let people remain productive and secure as they age.
This topic touches the future of human potential. How we respond determines whether aging brings opportunity or strain for individuals and communities. Curious readers will want to explore what this change means for planning, policy, and inclusion, and which innovations might help expand healthy longevity for everyone.
Researchers found that life expectancy growth in wealthy nations has dramatically slowed since 1939. Once driven by major reductions in child mortality, longevity gains are now limited by slower progress in older-age survival. The study suggests no generation since 1939 will live to 100 on average, reshaping how societies must plan for aging and pensions.