Have you ever wondered how long a human can naturally live if they have good health, good habits, and a little luck? Researchers from Tilburg University and Erasmus University studied thousands of death records to find out whether there is a true limit to human lifespan.

After analyzing more than 75,000 records collected over three decades, scientists estimated that the natural maximum lifespan is around 115.7 years for women and 114.1 years for men. Their findings suggest that even with modern medicine, better living conditions, and healthy habits, the human body may still have a biological limit.

The researchers used a statistical method called Extreme Value Theory to study the oldest ages reached by people. While more people are living longer than before, the maximum age of the oldest humans has remained surprisingly stable. In other words, average life expectancy is increasing, but the oldest possible age appears to change very little.

There are rare exceptions, such as Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to 122 years and 164 days — the longest confirmed human lifespan ever recorded. However, scientists consider cases like hers extremely unusual. The research suggests that the future of aging may not only be about living longer, but about helping people stay healthier and enjoy a better quality of life during their later years.