Elinaikansa

Elinaikansa is a Finnish noun meaning the length of time that a living being remains alive; in English, it is commonly translated as lifespan or life span. It is used across biology, medicine, and demography to describe the duration of an individual’s life, or the typical lifespan of a group or species.

In scholarly use, elinaikansa can refer to different measures: maximum lifespan (the greatest age observed in a population or species) and average or median lifespan (the mean or typical length of life). It is distinct from life expectancy, which is a statistical forecast of the average number of years a newborn is expected to live given current mortality rates.

Measurement relies on life tables and longitudinal studies. Data come from national statistics offices, health registries, and cohort research. Researchers distinguish between intrinsic lifespan (biological limits) and extrinsic lifespan (influenced by environment, lifestyle, and medical care).

Lifespan is influenced by genetics, nutrition, disease burden, sanitation, vaccination, income, and access to healthcare. Across species, lifespans vary widely; in humans, there are regional differences and, within populations, differences by sex. In many societies, average lifespans have risen over the past century due to public health and medical advances, while maximum observed ages have increased more gradually.

The term is used in scientific writing, health statistics, and discussions of aging, gerontology, and longevity research. See also Life expectancy, Longevity, Demography.