Life expectancy in Canada is now about 83 years, up from 73 years fifty years ago. This trend is expected to continue, possibly adding another 10 years in the next half-century.

According to UN population data, mortality rates have been steadily declining in Canada and other developed countries for the past century. This decline is linked to improvements in diet, public infrastructure like sanitation and waste treatment, safety standards, and the quality of public health institutions, including hospitals and childhood immunization programs.

However, will these gains in life expectancy continue? And what new factors must we consider?

Actuaries, who specialize in risk assessment for pensions and insurance, spend considerable time analyzing life expectancy. They find that many advancements come with drawbacks. The destruction of natural habitats threatens biodiversity, pollution affects clean air and water, and microplastics are pervasive in the food chain.

Moreover, abundance has led to a more sedentary lifestyle, increasing health risks like Type 2 diabetes. Other strains on the healthcare system include a shortage of primary care physicians, overuse of antibiotics, and the long-term impacts of COVID-19.

How will these factors impact life expectancy? The future remains uncertain, but the UN projects that by 2074, life expectancy in Canada will reach 89 years. The journey to longer lives continues to evolve.

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