The age of progress: Why this might be the best time to be alive
Among humanity’s many achievements, one milestone stands out as a testament to progress: life expectancy.
KALPANA MAHENDRAN19 Jan 2025 05:00pm
Photo for illustrative purposes only. - Canva
Yet, in the grand sweep of history, could this era actually be the best time to be alive?
Despite the dire headlines dominating the news, a closer look at historical and statistical trends offers a glimmer of hope.
Among humanity’s many achievements, one milestone stands out as a testament to progress: life expectancy.
A historical transformation
According to Our World in Data, in the 19th century, no country had a life expectancy exceeding 40 years.
Max Roser, the founder of the organisation, explained that two centuries ago, widespread poverty and inadequate healthcare meant that most people had to prepare for an early death.
By the 1950s, global life expectancy began to rise significantly, though stark disparities remained.
For example, Norwegians enjoyed an average lifespan of 72 years, while in Mali, it was just 26 years.
Today, life expectancy is far less dependent on geography.
As of 2021, the global average life expectancy is 70 years, a dramatic improvement compared to the 26-year lifespan of early humans.
The breakthrough century
Biomedical gerontologist Marios Kyriazis highlighted how far humanity has come: “When we first started out, our life expectancy was only thirty years,” he said.
Early humans often succumbed to disease or predators shortly after having children.
However, the past century has seen unprecedented progress in extending human lifespans.
“After millennia of stagnation and terrible health conditions, the seal is finally broken.
We’ve eradicated deadly diseases like smallpox, developed antibiotics, antivenoms, vaccines and advanced medicine to such an extent that the leading causes of death are now non-communicable diseases,” Kyriazis said.
For many, the harsh conditions of the past have been replaced by a different challenge: the inevitability of old age.
A new perspective
While global challenges persist, humanity’s achievements in healthcare and life expectancy underscore resilience and adaptability.
From eradicating once-deadly diseases to doubling average lifespans, these milestones suggest that despite ongoing struggles, this era may indeed be one of the most extraordinary in human history.
As Kyriazis put it, “In the past century, we have doubled our lifespans. That’s an extraordinary achievement and a sign of hope for the future.”
Progress amidst challenges
Amid the noise of climate concerns and global crises, it is worth pausing to reflect on how far we’ve come.
While perfection remains elusive, progress continues to shape a world where people can live longer, healthier lives than ever before.
This remarkable transformation reminds us that even in the face of adversity, humanity has the capacity to achieve extraordinary progress.
Download Sinar Daily application.Click Here!
