Researchers discover the maximum age a human being can attain

Dutch researchers using the Extreme Value Theory statistical model believe they’ve uncovered the elusive “ceiling” of the human lifespan.

Maria Branyas Morera currently holds the title of the world’s oldest living person

Maria Branyas Morera currently holds the title of the world’s oldest living person (CREDIT: Guinness World )Records

In a groundbreaking discovery, Dutch researchers believe they've uncovered the elusive "ceiling" of the human lifespan. As modern life expectancy continues to rise due to advances in nutrition, improved living conditions, and progressive medical care, there's been heightened interest in understanding just how old humans can potentially grow.

The new study offers a startling perspective.

Utilizing a comprehensive dataset that tracked the exact age at death for approximately 75,000 Dutch individuals, expert statisticians from Tilburg and Erasmus universities in Rotterdam have posited a maximum age limit for women at an astonishing 115.7 years.

Professor John Einmahl, one of the leading scientists behind the study. (CREDIT: Creative Commons)

The male counterpart, interestingly, nudges slightly below at 114.1 years. This invaluable data stretches over a remarkable three decades, providing a solid foundation for the researchers' claims.

Professor John Einmahl, one of the leading scientists behind the study, shared some insight into the findings. "On average, people live longer, but the very oldest among us have not gotten older over the last thirty years," he remarked.

Einmahl's observations underscore a fascinating paradox. He elucidated, "There is certainly some kind of a wall here. Of course, the average life expectancy has increased."

These findings further highlight that the number of individuals in The Netherlands celebrating their 95th birthday has almost tripled in recent times. "Nevertheless, the maximum ceiling itself hasn't changed," Einmahl emphatically noted.

For clarity, it's essential to differentiate between 'lifespan' and 'life expectancy'. The former relates to the duration of life for an individual, while the latter represents the average expected life duration for individuals within a specific age group. Life expectancy typically serves as a metric indicating societal wellbeing.

This recent Dutch exploration resonates with findings from US-based researchers last year. While they too identified a similar age ceiling, they posited that those exceptionally aged weren’t living quite as long as their predecessors.

Jeanne Calment, the French supercentenarian, defied all odds by living to the remarkable age of 122. (CREDIT: Creative Commons)

However, Einmahl and his team challenge this notion. Employing a unique statistical approach known as the "Extreme Value Theory", they concluded that the maximum lifespan has exhibited almost negligible fluctuations.

For those unfamiliar, the Extreme Value Theory is a sophisticated statistical methodology primarily utilized to interpret data and address questions related to extreme events – think lifespans, natural disasters, and other outliers.

Still, like every rule, there are exceptions. Einmahl cites the case of Jeanne Calment, the French supercentenarian, who defied all odds by living to the remarkable age of 122 years and 164 days. To date, she remains the oldest verified woman.

Extreme value theory is used to model the risk of extreme, rare events, such as the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. (CREDIT: Jan Kozak Collection: KZ128, CC BY-SA 3.0)

As the scientific community awaits further validation, Einmahl announced that their pioneering findings are enroute for submission to a peer-reviewed journal. He anticipates its publication "within the next month or so".

As we look to the future, studies such as these are more than mere statistics. They prompt profound questions about the human condition, the nature of our existence, and the interplay of biology and environment. The "ceiling" might be set, but the conversation about human potential is limitless.

Some of the longest living humans on record

Jeanne Calment (122 years, 164 days)
  • Born: February 21, 1875, in Arles, France
  • Died: August 4, 1997
  • Significance: Calment holds the record as the oldest verified human. She credited her longevity to a diet rich in olive oil and chocolate, as well as an active lifestyle.
Kane Tanaka (119 years, 107 days)
  • Born: January 2, 1903, in Fukuoka, Japan
  • Died: April 19, 2022
  • Significance: Tanaka was recognized as the world’s oldest living person by Guinness World Records in 2019. She enjoyed board games, solving puzzles, and soft drinks.
Sarah Knauss (119 years, 97 days)
  • Born: September 24, 1880, in Pennsylvania, USA
  • Died: December 30, 1999
  • Significance: Knauss lived through three centuries and was known for her calm demeanor.
Lucile Randon (Sister André) (118 years, 340 days)
  • Born: February 11, 1904, in Alès, France
  • Died: January 17, 2023
  • Significance: A nun for most of her life, Randon attributed her long life to daily prayer and chocolate.
Maria Branyas Morera (116+ years, still living as of November 2024)
  • Born: March 4, 1907, in San Francisco, USA
  • Current residence: Catalonia, Spain
  • Significance: Currently holds the title of the world’s oldest living person.
Jiroemon Kimura (116 years, 54 days)
  • Born: April 19, 1897, in Kyoto, Japan
  • Died: June 12, 2013
  • Significance: The oldest verified male, Kimura credited his longevity to eating small portions of food.

These individuals' ages have been verified through extensive documentation, distinguishing them from other claims of extreme longevity that lack sufficient proof.

Note: Materials provided above by The Brighter Side of News. Content may be edited for style and length.


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Joseph Shavit
Joseph ShavitSpace, Technology and Medical News Writer
Joseph Shavit is the head science news writer with a passion for communicating complex scientific discoveries to a broad audience. With a strong background in both science, business, product management, media leadership and entrepreneurship, Joseph possesses the unique ability to bridge the gap between business and technology, making intricate scientific concepts accessible and engaging to readers of all backgrounds.