The Great Doubling: 500 Years of Global Longevity History
Explore the history of global longevity and how life expectancy doubled from thirty-two years in 1800 to over seventy today through public health and medicine.
Best quote from The Great Doubling: 500 Years of Global Longevity History
In just two centuries, we’ve more than doubled the time we get on this planet. We often think of history as a slow, steady crawl, but when it comes to longevity, we’ve essentially lived through a vertical liftoff.
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Explore changes in life expectancy in the world over the last 500 years, with a particular focus on the UK in comparison with other countries, highlighting key historical shifts and global trends.
Frequently Asked Questions
For most of the last five centuries, global life expectancy remained remarkably low, with no region in the world exceeding a forty-year average as late as 1800. In places like London, the average newborn was only expected to live about thirty-two years. However, the last two centuries have seen a vertical liftoff in longevity, with the global average reaching seventy-one years by 2021, effectively doubling the time humans get on this planet.
The dramatic increase in human lifespan is not the result of a single medical breakthrough but rather a mosaic of societal and scientific changes. Key drivers include improvements in nutrition, the implementation of clean water systems, and the development of vaccines. Additionally, advancements in sanitation and changes in how we build our homes have played critical roles in the evolution of public health and the extension of life.
In the year 1800, reaching old age was a luxury that very few people could count on. Because the average life expectancy was only around thirty-two years, the demographic makeup of cities like London was strikingly young. This historical ceiling on longevity meant that for the majority of human history, the typical life experience was significantly shorter than the eighty or sixty years we often expect in modern times.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
