The paper presents the changes that have taken place since the mid-nineteenth century to the maximum expected life expectancy and longevity in the world. In particular, there are discussed the limits of life achieved by the longest living people with proven longevity and the discussion that takes place in the literature on the prospects for further increases in life expectancy. On the example, of the ”blue zone” author describes the state of knowledge in the field of behavioral causes of longevity. The summary highlights the challenges for the statistics resulting from change in life expectancy and longevity.