Global life expectancy hits new high

The global life expectancy reached a new record in 2024, with an average of 73.3 years, as reported by the Financial Times. This marks a continued upward trend in human longevity across the world.

France leads in life expectancy

In France, life expectancy for women reached 85.9 years in 2025, while men reached 80.3 years, according to data from Insee, the French national statistics office. These figures highlight the country’s strong healthcare system and quality of life.

Research on aging is expanding

A scientific journal, Nature, noted in November 2025 that research in geroscience — a field that combines biology, medicine, and other disciplines to study aging — is growing rapidly. This suggests that life expectancy may continue to increase in the future.

Concerns about quality of life

Simon Kuper, a journalist for the Financial Times, raised concerns about the implications of longer life. He cited comedian Louis CK’s comment that "life is too long" and reflected on personal experiences, including his mother’s struggle with dementia, which he described as a time of suffering without benefit.

Changing sources of meaning

Kuper noted that as people live longer, traditional sources of meaning such as relationships, religion, and a belief in progress are declining, particularly among the younger generation. He also suggested that the rise of artificial intelligence might be reducing the number of passionate, meaningful jobs available.

The value of life’s brevity

Kuper questioned the appeal of living forever in a nursing home, suggesting that the value of life comes from its limited nature. He referenced Gordon Forbes, a tennis player and writer, whose memoirs were titled A Handful of Summers, inspired by the idea that life’s best moments are often condensed into a few precious experiences.

Immortality pursuits and human finitude

While some world leaders, such as Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, are investing heavily in longevity research, Kuper pointed out that Silicon Valley leaders have also focused on extending life. However, he argued that true progress may come from embracing the inevitability of death rather than striving for immortality.