Children born today will live for 100 years: Study

Professor Kaare Christensen, of the Danish Aging Research Centre at the University of Southern Denmark, who headed the study, declared, "Very long lives are not the distant privilege of remote generations – very long lives are the probable destiny of most people alive now in developed nations."

Analyzing data from more than 30 developed countries, the scientists stated that in the last 165 years, life expectancy has increased by more than 30 years. Nations like Japan, Sweden and Spain with the longest life-expectancy indicate that three-quarters of babies will live to be a hundred.

They explained, "The linear increase in record life expectancy for more than 165 years does not suggest a looming limit to human lifespan. If life expectancy were approaching a limit, some deceleration of progress would probably occur.

“Continued progress in the longest-living populations suggests we are not close to a limit, and further rises in life expectancy seem likely.”

Reasons for current life expectancy trends
The rise in life expectancy in the rich countries could be an outcome of improved lifestyle, living and working conditions, as well as better health care.

According to researchers, the mortality in people older than 80 years is declining. In the 1950’s, the probability of surviving past 80 years of age was only 15-16 percent for women and 12 percent for men.

However, in 2002 a spurt in life expectancy was observed for both sexes with the values rising to 37 and 25 percent respectively.

Another reason is a vast improvement in the health of the elderly. While ailments like cancer, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis continue to afflict the elderly, better diagnosis and advance medical treatment are making it possible for them to live active lives for longer periods.

The authors said, “Present evidence, suggests that people are not only living longer than they did previously, but also they are living longer with less disability and fewer limitations.”

Challenges of an ageing population
Christensen cautioned that the exceptional longevity have grim economic, social and medical consequences, for both individuals and societies.

He added, “One of the challenges will be to create a better balance in the work market, so that the elderly can work longer but still allow young people to enter the workforce.”

The study has been published in the medical journal The Lancet.