How Life Expectancy Of An Average Person Has Changed Over The Years?

Life has always been an unexpected roller coaster. Our lifespan is also one of the most intriguing rides. Did you know that people's lifespans were shorter a few centuries ago than they are today? What if I told you that, in the past, ageing was not the norm but rather a rare accomplishment?

The study of demographics^[1] offers an intriguing glimpse into the past, revealing that at the start of the 1800s, the average life expectancy in all countries was less than 40 years. For our ancestors, the threat of dying young was a terrifying reality. This is because many of them lived in abject poverty, and very little was understood about medicine.

But this is what happened many years ago! We humans have evolved so much, and guess what the statistics are recently -

The average life expectancy globally increased to over 70 years by 2021. With the average life expectancy being less than half of what it is today just two centuries ago, this is nothing short of astonishing. Not a single place on Earth had a higher chance of an individual living past forty years back in 1800.

Several factors are contributing to this remarkable growth. Developments in medication, hygiene, newborn care, the availability of clean water, antibiotics, vaccines, and other medical technologies have all contributed significantly to the growth of healthcare. In addition to these noteworthy advancements in the fight against poverty, living standards and economic growth have increased greatly.

What Is Average Life Expectancy?

An individual's average life expectancy is a statistical estimate that shows how long they should expect to live. The estimate is calculated by taking into account the person's current age, birth year, and a number of other demographic variables.

A population's lifetime and general health can essentially be inferred from its average life expectancy. Numerous factors like socioeconomic status, lifestyle decisions, genetics, availability of healthcare, etc., have an impact on it.

Factors Behind Increase In Average Life Expectancy

Now let's look at a few of the major contributors -

Medical Breakthroughs:

The development of antibiotics, new treatments, and improvements in technology have significantly reduced the number of people dying from infectious diseases and other illnesses.

The Power Of Vaccination:

Many once-fatal diseases like smallpox and polio have either been eradicated or brought under control as a result of extensive immunisation campaigns.

Availability Of Prenatal & Postnatal Care Services:

Higher survival rates and higher general health are the results of better prenatal and postnatal healthcare services.

Sanitation Improvements:

Better sanitation and hygiene standards have significantly reduced the transmission of infectious diseases.

Nutritional Progress:

Wholesome health and immune system performance have significantly improved as a result of our growing knowledge of nutrition and the accessibility of a wider variety of well-balanced meals.

Public Health Initiatives:

Public health initiatives led by the government have contributed significantly to longer lifespans. These programs focus on illness prevention, maternity and child health, and immunisation.

Economic Development:

Rising wealth and improved living standards enhance access to healthcare, education, and nutritious food.

The Role Of Education:

Longer life spans and better health outcomes are directly correlated with higher education levels. People with higher levels of education are more likely to use healthcare services and develop healthy habits.

To Wrap It Up,

From the black-and-white days of "Chupke Chupke" to the bright, colourful era of "Baahubali" today, we have evolved. This is the same way life expectancy has undergone a major shift in human history. Humanity has gloriously negotiated the ups and downs of medical discoveries and improved living conditions, just as the heroes in these films bravely overcame their obstacles.