Life Expectancy
Human life expectancy has increased over time due to a number of factors, including: medical advances, public health, improved living standards, economic growth, reduced poverty, better sanitation, immunizations, access to clean water, and improved nutrition. Unfortunately, wars, smoking, illicit drug use, and excessive use of alcoholic beverages will continue to shorten lifespan.
Average Life Expectancy at Birth in Years:
Period Life Expectancy (world average)
19th Century……………………….……..28.5-32 years
1900……………………………………….31-32
1950……………………………………….45.7-48
2019-2020………………………………...72.6-73.2
The current birth rate for the U.S. in 2024 is 12.009 births per 1000 people, a 0.12% decline from 2023. (See chart below.)
U.S. Birth Rate per 1000 People Per Year
Year Births Per Percentage Change
1000 People from Preceding Year
2024 12.009 0.12% decline
2023 12.023 0.09% increase
2022 12.012 0.09% increase
The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Life expectancy is expected to continue to increase significantly as AI provides cures for intractable diseases like cancer and diabetes. The growth of powerful Quantum Computers (QC) will accelerate this process significantly. The impact of AI and QC will be worldwide and affect most of society. For example:
AI and QC will result in the loss of many jobs as manufacturing and services become more automated.
Pension plans will be threatened as many lose jobs or are forced into early retirement.
The profits of businesses will rise significantly as workers are replaced by robots and automation.
A “Universal Basic Income'' (UBI) will be provided to those who have lost employment and/or pensions. One source of revenue will be taxes assessed on companies that have displaced workers.
Governments will be faced with an unemployed and idle population that will become increasingly restless. Efforts will be made to provide activities to occupy the populace.
The combination of a longer human lifespan and a declining birth rate will result in an increasingly older population.
Some elderly will receive home care 24/7 from humanoid robots.
Many elderly will have access to transportation via driverless cars.
