Does Life Span Differ From Life Expectancy?
How long are you capable of living? And, how long do you think you will live? Two similar questions but not exactly alike just like life span and average life expectancy are similar but not identical. Life span is more along the lines of “how long are you capable of living” While life expectancy is more along the lines of “how long do you think you will live.” One concept deals with the ideal, and the other set with what is real or more likely.
What is Life Span?
Life span is the longest or highest age an individual can live – what is humanely possible by what has been humanely demonstrated.
Life span is frequently defined as “the longest period over which life of species may extend.” The human life span is 120 to 125 years. Obviously, so few of make it that long. Why? Why so few make it that long is both a combination of genetics and lifestyle. Lifestyle is more important in terms of living past 75 contributing about 75% while genetics contribute only 25% to living past age 75.. But, getting past 90 years of age is more dependent on genetics. And, that is something you either have or don’t.
What is Life Expectancy?
Life is expectancy is a statistical measure of how long a person may live. It is based on the year of birth, current age, gender, race, and other demographic factors and can include level of education and state of residency. Average life expectancy tells you the average number of years you have left to live in comparison to a group of individuals with the same mortality and demographic factors. For instance, the life expectancy of a white male currently age 25 with a high school education in New York might differ from that of a 25 year Asian with a college degree living in California.
So life span is the potential number of years a person might live, life expectancy is the number of years most likely one will live dependent on certain factors.
Life Expectancy Calculators and Tables
Life expectancy tables and life expectancy calculators exist online. You can find average life expectancy by country as well. Note: some life expectancy calculators require you to provide an email address after you complete their questionnaire in order to provide your calculated life expectancy. Here is one that does not.
You have significant control in living past age 75 by the lifestyle you choose. But, getting past 90 requires some luck in way of genetic makeup.
