Introduction
The claim that life expectancy has more than doubled over the past century is widely cited in media, policy discussions, and public discourse. While technically accurate, this statistic is misleading without proper context. As a researcher who obtained my PhD at 64, specialising in retirement adjustment and meaningful ageing, I have watched this narrative gain traction with increasing concern.
The real question is not just how long we live but how well we live, and crucially, in what state of health.
Beyond the Headlines: Understanding the Real Story
At first glance, the numbers are striking. Global life expectancy rose from approximately 32 years in 1900 to 71 years by 2021 (Our World in Data, 2021). In the UK, life expectancy currently stands at 78.6 years for men and 82.6 years for women (ONS, 2023). However, these figures obscure the underlying factors driving this increase.
The most significant contributor to this rise is not that adults are living dramatically longer, but that more children are surviving into adulthood.
In 1915, nearly 90,000 infants under one year old died in England and Wales; by 2015, that number had dropped to 2,721 (ONS, 2017).
The dramatic improvements in infant mortality rates have inflated overall life expectancy figures, creating a misleading impression that the average adult lifespan has doubled.
Even in regions with the highest life expectancies, such as Monaco (85.9 years) and Switzerland (83.8 years), the trajectory has been one of gradual improvement rather than a sudden doubling.
In the UK, life expectancy has risen from 40 years in 1841 to 47 years in 1900, 69 years by 1950, and approximately 81 years today.
This steady progression reflects advances in public health, medical care, and living conditions, but it does not mean that individuals are living twice as long as their ancestors.
Healthy Life Expectancy: A Crucial Distinction
While total life expectancy has increased, the number of years spent in good health, known as healthy life expectancy (HLE), has not kept pace. Current UK data reveals a stark reality:
- Male HLE is just 61.5 years
- Female HLE is slightly higher at 61.9 years
This means the average person spends 17-20 years in poor health at the end of life (ONS, 2023)
Not only is healthy life expectancy far lower than total life expectancy, but the gap between the wealthiest and poorest areas is widening. The most deprived regions in the UK experience up to a 10-year difference in life expectancy, with even greater disparities in HLE. Since 2010, progress has slowed, and the COVID-19 pandemic caused the first significant decline in decades. These trends highlight the growing inequality in later-life health outcomes.
The Shift in Mortality Patterns
A closer examination of historical causes of death reveals an important shift:
- In 1915, infectious diseases were the leading causes of mortality.
- By 2015, chronic illnesses, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and dementia, had taken their place (ONS, 2017).
This transformation underscores the need for a new approach to ageing. Instead of simply prolonging life, we must focus on increasing the number of years lived in good health.
Lifestyle choices, preventive healthcare, and social policies play a crucial role in determining whether extended lifespans translate into extended well-being.
The Psychology of Ageing: Beyond Physical Health
Research by Becca Levy has demonstrated that a positive attitude toward ageing can add up to 7.5 years to life expectancy. However, this should not be mistaken for toxic positivity. My own research identified seven key psychological factors that influence retirement adjustment and overall well-being:
- Personality traits
- Personal values
- Self-esteem
- Self-efficacy
- Mastery
- Social identity
- Sense of calling or purpose
These factors shape how individuals navigate later life, emphasising that successful ageing is not just about physical health but also about maintaining psychological resilience and a sense of purpose.
Challenging Popular Ageing Narratives
The rise of social media and marketing-driven narratives around ageing has created unrealistic expectations. Terms such as “super-ager,” “forever young,” and “age-defier” suggest that successful ageing means maintaining youthful levels of productivity, energy, and activity well into later life. While some individuals do thrive in extended careers or athletic pursuits, positioning this as the norm can be harmful. These narratives often overlook health disparities, natural ageing processes, and the diverse ways people find meaning and fulfilment in later life.
My research suggests that these narratives:
- Oversimplify the diversity of ageing experiences
- Ignore significant health and socioeconomic disparities
- Create unattainable expectations
- Devalue alternative paths to meaningful ageing
The Myth of Extended Working Lives
A common policy response to increasing life expectancy is the push for longer working lives. While this may be feasible for some, it is not a universal solution:
- The Health Foundation reports that 235,000 people aged 53-62 left work due to ill health between 2020-2023.
- Occupational health disparities mean that individuals in physically demanding jobs face far greater challenges in extending their careers.
- Prolonging working life without addressing health inequalities risks exacerbating existing disparities.
Rather than assuming all older adults can or should work longer, policies must focus on ensuring that those who do continue working can do so in good health and under fair conditions.
Technology and Health Inequality
The integration of health technology, such as wearable devices, AI-driven diagnostics, and telemedicine, has the potential to transform ageing. However, these advancements also risk deepening existing health inequalities:
- Not everyone can afford private health tracking services or preventive screenings.
- Digital literacy varies significantly across socioeconomic groups, limiting access to new healthcare solutions.
- Over-reliance on technology can reduce human contact in care settings, impacting mental and emotional well-being.
Ensuring equitable access to healthcare technology is crucial to preventing a two-tier ageing system, where longevity and quality of life are determined by wealth rather than need.
International Perspectives on Ageing
Different cultures approach ageing in ways that offer valuable insights. My time living with a Maasai tribe highlighted how elders play vital roles in decision-making and knowledge transmission, reinforcing social respect and purpose in later life.
Other societies provide alternative models:
- Japan emphasises “ikigai”—a sense of purpose rooted in meaningful engagement.
- The Netherlands has pioneered intergenerational housing, such as the Humanitas model, where students live alongside older adults.
- Singapore has implemented an Action Plan for Successful Ageing, integrating lifelong learning and age-friendly employment policies.
Western societies could benefit from rethinking ageing not just in terms of longevity but also in terms of social roles and intergenerational integration.
Economic and Healthcare Implications
The economic impact of increased longevity extends beyond pensions and healthcare costs. The emergence of the “longevity economy” is reshaping industries, from employment structures to consumer behaviour. However, this transformation often neglects the crucial issue of health inequality.
To create a future where extended lifespans lead to better lives, we must:
- Shift the focus from mere longevity to healthy longevity.
- Address health disparities at both national and global levels.
- Rethink how societies structure work, healthcare, and social roles for older adults.
Conclusion
The doubling of life expectancy is not the simple triumph it is often portrayed as. While we have succeeded in extending life, we have not yet solved the challenge of extending healthy and meaningful life. By prioritising quality over quantity, we can ensure that longer lives are not just lived, but lived well.
As I navigate my late 60s, the issue of healthy lifespan has become both a personal priority and a professional mission.
I am keen to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in this field, where my psychological expertise can contribute to meaningful progress. If you know of individuals or organisations working in this area, I would welcome the opportunity to connect.
This has become one of my key, later-life projects; part of the legacy I hope to leave beyond financial measures.
