Born in 1956 · World Progress Report

How the World Improved Since 1956

If you were born in 1956, you have lived through approximately 25,567 days and traveled 65,800 million kilometers around the Sun—during one of the greatest leaps in human well-being in history.

Days Lived25,567
Life Expectancy Gain+24.8 years
Literacy Rise58% → 87.5%
Heartbeats~2577M
Era Defining Breakthrough

Jonas Salk Announces the Polio Vaccine Is Safe & Effective

Refusing to patent the vaccine so it could belong to the world, Salk launched a global effort that has eliminated 99.9% of polio cases worldwide.

Extreme Poverty Reduction

Dropped from ~59% of humanity in 1956 to under 9% today.

Child Survival & Public Health

Global child survival rates have improved by ~72% since 1956.

Clean Energy Growth

450× more solar & wind clean energy capacity worldwide today.

1956 Chinese Zodiac Sign

Born in the Lunar Year of the monkey.

Read Year of the monkey Profile →

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