The life expectancy of humans has more than doubled since 1900. Global life expectancy has increased from 31 years in 1900 to 73 years in 2023 and is expected to further increase to 77 years in 2050. Developed countries such as the US and Australia are doing quite a bit better than the global average. The population of Americans 100 or older is projected by the US Census Bureau to quadruple in the next 30 years. Similar trends are evident in Australia.
Source: Pew Research Center, Axios
The vast majority of Americans in their 100s today are women (78%) and white (77%), according to Pew Research Center. That’s expected to tick down to 68% women and 72% white by 2054.
Bill Kole, author of “The Big 100” believes that our genes account for 25% of our longevity. The rest is determined by factors we can control: diet, exercise, sun exposure, and lifestyle. Centenarians he interviewed said their hacks for living to, and past, 100 include letting go of stress, moving every day, getting good sleep, and staying connected to friends and family.
Simply walking outside is one of the most effective tricks, Luigi Ferrucci, the scientific director at the National Institute on Aging, told The Washington Post. “If I had a jewel to give to people who want to live long and well, I would tell them to get up early in the morning and go out. That is really the best gift that you can give yourself if you want to achieve longevity.”
As we’re living longer, we are opening up a new phase of life and lifestyle – the years after 70, when the responsibilities of work and family are disappearing and we are still able to enjoy activities such as touring, entertainment, food and leisure.
Life expectancy at birth for Australians
Source: 2023 Intergenerational Report
Researchers around the world are studying centenarians, how they age, and what they can tell us about staying healthier, and longer. One study, the Longevity Genes Project at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, is attempting to determine which genes contribute to long life. Centenarians tend to have delayed onset of age-related diseases such as cancer, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. This suggests that their immune systems remain healthier for longer compared with other people.
The investment implications are manifold and complex, ranging from the potential shortage of young workers for the labour force and erosion of the tax base, increased demand for social services, growth in demand for geriatric and other age-related healthcare, pharmaceuticals for coping with age-related diseases, nursing staff, aged-care residences – the list is practically endless, but can be reduced to an increase in demand for services, and a relative decline in the demand for goods.
Source: 2023 Intergenerational Report
There are now about 4,250 people aged 100 years or older living in Australia. By 2050, statisticians believe Australia will have more than 50,000 people aged 100 and over. In the last 100 years, the life expectancy of Australians has increased by 20 years.
Source: 2023 Intergenerational Report
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