The short answer is - A properly installed paver driveway, patio, or walkway can last up to 30 or 40 years. The long answer is, it depends on a lot of things.
1. Quality of the Materials - Pavers you find at most big box stores are not very good quality, and I have seen a lot of these products fall apart over time. We use mostly Unilock products, a reputable company that offers a lifetime guarantee (it is transferrable) on the structural integrity of the pavers. A high quality product will last longer.
2. How it was installed- If the installer skimps on the base or does not compact it enough, the paved area can settle and become unsafe or unusable.
3. Care and Maintenance- Pavers require less maintenance over the life of the product, compared to concrete or asphalt, but some TLC will help it last longer. Using sand instead of salt in the winter is one thing you can do to increase longevity. Keeping weeds and ants out is another thing, and we can give more information later this year.