Scientists from Tilburg and Rotterdam’s Erasmus universities have determined that the maximum age a human can reach is approximately 115 years. The research, which analyzed data from 75,000 deceased individuals over 30 years up to 2017, found that life expectancy plateaus in a person’s nineties. However, while many can live beyond 100, reaching 115 is viewed as the ultimate threshold. Women typically have a slightly higher maximum lifespan of 115.7 years, compared to 114.1 years for men.
Professor John Einmahl, one of the study’s researchers, explained that while people live longer on average, the maximum age hasn’t increased in the last three decades. He stated, “There is certainly some kind of a wall here,” pointing out that although average life expectancy has risen, the upper limit has not shifted. According to Einmahl, despite advancements in health and longevity, there’s a clear ceiling that most people do not surpass.
The findings align with previous records showing individuals rarely live beyond 115. The oldest known person, Sister André of France, passed away at 118 years old. More recently, Tomiko Itooka from Japan, aged 116, was recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest living person as of September 2024. Researchers acknowledge outliers but emphasize that surpassing 115 remains an exceptional rarity.
The study contributes to ongoing debates around human lifespan potential, suggesting that although improvements in healthcare extend average life expectancy, a hard biological limit exists. Researchers believe these findings help set realistic expectations for longevity as scientists and biohackers, like Bryan Johnson, continue exploring ways to push these boundaries.
