A century of change

The Duke of Edinburgh lived through a time of profound change during his 99 year life. Often we hear so much gloom and doom but actually, the world is safer, healthier and more prosperous than ever in human history. In the Duke's 99 years, life expectancy in the UK rose dramatically, poverty across the globe is at its lowest level in history and infant mortality in the UK has plummeted by 94% over the last century.

Following the recent death of the Duke of Edinburgh at age 99, we reflect on some of the most significant changes in the UK and worldwide over the last century.

Globally, a smaller proportion of the population than at any time in recorded history now live in poverty. As the chart above illustrates, since the 1950s, the number of people living above the poverty line has soared. At the same time, since the 1990s, the number of people living in poverty has fallen substantially, despite the increase in the global population. 

As well as the increase in prosperity during the last century, health prospects have significantly improved. Medical advances and better living and working conditions mean that life expectancy has risen by almost 25 years for both men and women in the UK.

Our final chart shows how infant mortality - for so long a common source of misery and suffering for families - has plummeted drastically over the past 100 years. After a brief spike during World War II, the tremendous progress made in medicine and changes in society has seen infant mortality fall by 94%. Today, fewer than five babies in every 1,000 die within their first year of life, compared with almost 70 a century ago. 

While infant mortality still afflicts many parts of the world, the progress made in the UK and elsewhere demonstrates what can be achieved to improve life chances for all.