According to new research reported in the current issue of Lancet, more than 50% of children born since the year 2000 in Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the USA, will live to be 100 years or more. For babies born in 2007 the projections are for the longest lives.
Country - the age at least 50% will live to be:
Canada - 104
Denmark - 101
France - 104
Germany - 102
Italy - 104
Japan - 107
UK - 103
USA - 104
In a report called, "Ageing populations: the challenges ahead," the study's authors pointed out the following:
Although trends differ between countries, populations of nearly all such countries are ageing as a result of low fertility, low immigration, and long lives. A key question is: are increases in life expectancy accompanied by a concurrent postponement of functional limitations and disability? The answer is still open, but research suggests that ageing processes are modifiable and that people are living longer without severe disability. This finding, together with technological and medical development and redistribution of work, will be important for our chances to meet the challenges of ageing populations.
The Guardian had this to say about that:
However, it's not all good news: such an ageing population could threaten the traditional welfare state, in which the younger generation pays for their elders' retirement funds and services.
How do you feel about your children living to be 100? Is it something you would wish for yourself, or just the sign of a society ready to crumble under the weight of an ageing population?
What's your reaction? Is this news wonderful, worrisome, or both?