This working paper from the Oxford Martin School examines the emergence of large numbers of centenarians, finding that the number of centenarians in Europe increased from around 57,000 in 2006 to almost 90,000 in 2011. By 2100 the number is expected to reach around 1.4 million in England and Wales alone. The report notes that this trend has fundamental consequences for the way in which individuals view and live these ever-extending lives, but also for the way in which societal infrastructures (education, workplaces, housing, transport, and health and social care) will need to be adapted to the needs of extreme-aged populations. More importantly, it underscores that our perceptions of old age will need a dramatic reappraisal.

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