The very concept of old age is evolving. Once considered to begin at around 55 or 60, largely tied to retirement, declining health, and rising illness, old age is now being redefined by science and society.
In the 20th century, with average life expectancy between 60 and 65 in industrial nations, the age of 60 was often seen as life’s final chapter. But that’s no longer the case.
According to the World Economic Forum, by 2030, one in three children born in developed countries could live to be 100. In this context, age 60 is not the end, but the midpoint of life.
A 2021 study published in Nature Ageing asserts that ageing should not be measured by years but by biological condition. Similarly, The Lancet’s 2022 report indicates that in countries such as Japan, where average life expectancy exceeds 84, old age now begins closer to 70 or later.
Modern science places increasing emphasis on biological age, the actual condition of the body, over mere numbers. Two people aged 60 can have vastly different physical and cognitive health. With regular exercise, proper diet, and stress management, some 60-year-olds can enjoy the health of someone 15 years younger.
A 2017 study in The Lancet proposed a new definition: “old age begins when only 15 years of your life expectancy remain", shifting the benchmark well beyond 65.
The phrase “60 is the new 30" is no longer hyperbole. Today’s 60-year-olds often maintain lifestyles as active as people half their age.
Many continue with gym routines, trekking, yoga, or professional pursuits. Retirement is no longer an endpoint, but often a pivot toward consultancy, investment, or second careers. This shift, however, is more noticeable in urban settings than rural ones.
Increasingly, age is seen as just a number. A widely accepted theory suggests that lifelong mental activity keeps the brain agile well into later years.
Many older adults today adopt a growth mindset by continuously learning, remaining curious, and tackling challenges with enthusiasm.
In India, bodies like NITI Aayog and the National Health Mission are beginning to treat the elderly as self-reliant citizens. Media and advertising reflect this changing image, featuring energetic 60+ icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Neena Gupta, Anupam Kher, and Rajinikanth as symbols of vitality and relevance.
Several modern factors help people remain fit and active well into their 60s and beyond:
