In 2017, Lancet scientists forecast life expectancy across 35 industrialized countries using 21 statistical models. 13 years later, South Korean women are projected to average about 90.8 years, potentially setting a historic human longevity record

A life expectancy milestone that once seemed almost impossible is now within sight. South Korean women are projected to reach an average lifespan of about 90.8 years by 2030, according to a 2017 study published in The Lancet. The forecast came from an analysis of 35 industrialized countries using 21 statistical models. If the projection holds, South Korean women could become the first national female population to average more than 90 years.

The reasons behind the projection are less dramatic than the number itself. Researchers pointed to broad healthcare access, cardiovascular health, low smoking rates among women, body weight and strong childhood nutrition.