Ultimate limit to human longevity

Abstract

Are there limits to human longevity? We suggest a new demographic model to describe human demographic trajectories. Specifically, the model mathematically defines the limits of longevity. Through the demographic analysis of trends for Sweden (between 1751 and 2002), Switzerland (between 1876 and 2002) and Japan (between 1950 and 1999), which are the longest-lived countries, we would like to demonstrate whether or not there is the ultimate limit to longevity. We analyse the trends of new demographic indicators, the characteristic life and the shape parameter, and calculate the mathematical limits of longevity. We find out the surprising phenomenon that the mathematical limits of longevity decrease as the longevity tendency increases in recent decades. These paradoxical trends will be explained by the complementarity of longevity, which is attributable to the nature of biological systems for longevity. According to the regression analysis, the ultimate limit for humans is estimated to be approximately 124 years, which may be considered to be the biological limit for humans.