After an enforced break of over three years due to Covid, I find myself, once again, gearing up to deliver talks on EML’s research into living longer.

The starting point is my earlier presentation, which is in need of updating as the data I have been using has moved on. Much of what was projected is now established fact but there is the odd ‘blip’!

Regional life expectancy data has recently been augmented with a future projection so data for major regions of the world now shows a 100 year trend covering 1950 to 2050. While there is some regional variation the underlying message is clear. Over the 100 year period life expectancy across most of the world has doubled, or, put another way, one entire generation simply did not die!

Australia and New Zealand, already established in pole position when it comes to life expectancy at birth, saw a further increase during Covid compared to a decrease for the rest of the world, however that is now being reversed as international travel resumes.

When reporting by country most of the top ten countries reported a slight decrease in female life expectancy while their male counterparts showed a continued increase albeit at a slower rate. This suggests they are approaching an optimum level where other factors come in to play.

One trend powering ahead is the roll out of the internet – with 60% of the world connected since its launch 30 years ago and the rest due to join them in the next decade.

There is no doubt that we are living through a period of transformational change….