Life Expectancy Statistics

The average life expectancy is a crucial metric reflecting the overall health and well-being of populations. As of 2023, the average U.S. life expectancy at birth stood at 79.7 years, marking the first time it surpassed pre-COVID numbers. 

Worldwide, life expectancy has witnessed remarkable progress over the past century. From a mere 32 years old in 1900, the average global life expectancy has more than doubled, currently surpassing 73 years. Between 2000 and 2019 alone, the average life span increased by six years on average, underscoring the worldwide strides made in health care and quality of life.

Key Insights

• As of 2022, the average U.S. life expectancy at birth was 77.5 years and marked the first year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that the average life expectancy increased. It recently stands at 79.7 years, surpassing the 2019 peak of 78.8 years.
• The average global life expectancy has more than doubled since 1900, increasing from 32 years of age to over 79 years old. Between 2000 and 2019 alone, on average life expectancy increased by over six years, from 63.7 to 73.4.
• In the U.S. as of 2020, Hawaii boasted the highest overall life expectancy, at 80.7 years. Conversely, Mississippi had the lowest average life span, with residents living an average of 71.9 years.
• Hong Kong has the highest average global life span of about 85.8 years. The U.S. is currently ranked 47th for life expectancy, with an average life span of 79.7 years.
• In 2022, heart disease remained the top cause of death in the U.S., responsible for 702,880 deaths. Following closely behind is cancer, causing 608,371 deaths.

Life Expectancy Statistics

Global life expectancy has been on the rise for some time, increasing by over six years, on average, between 2000 and 2019. In 2000, global life expectancy was only 63.7 years, while in 2019 that number had risen to 73.4 years. However, the global average remains lower than the 2019 U.S. average of 78.8 years.

What Is the Average Life Expectancy Now?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. life expectancy as of 2023 is 79.7 years. This marks the first time there has been an increase in life expectancy since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2019 and the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, life expectancy dropped from 78.8 years to 76.4 years.

In the U.S., gender also substantially impacts life expectancy, with men having an average life span of 74.8 years, while women average 80.2 years (a 7.2% increase over men). 

Why Is Life Expectancy Declining in Recent Years?

Life expectancy has seen a decline in recent years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic caused the most significant drop since the 1920s — a nearly 74% decline between 2019 and 2020, and a 50% decline between 2020 and 2021. In 2021, U.S. life expectancy at birth fell by 0.9 years, following a 1.8-year decline from the previous year. This brought the average life expectancy down to 76.1 years — its lowest level since 1996.

During the decline, the largest racial/ethnic disparity was seen among those identifying as non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN). Dropping by 1.9 years in 2021, this group collectively experienced the steepest decline in life expectancy, which fell to 65.2 years, matching the U.S. average from 1944.

How Has Life Expectancy Changed Over Time?

In 2021, with an average global life expectancy of just over 70 years, the average life span had more than doubled compared to 200 years ago. In 1800, no region worldwide had a life expectancy higher than 40 years; in 1900, that number fell to 32 years. And though this number is largely skewed by infant and child deaths, it still stands in stark contrast with today’s average life expectancy. 

In the U.S., life expectancy has increased by 102.3% since 1860, nearly doubling from 39.4 years to 79.7 years in 2023. Aside from major dips occurring between 1921 and 1923 and again between 2019 and 2021, the average U.S. lifespan has steadily been increasing for well over 100 years.

Over time, the average life expectancy has risen steadily worldwide across all regions. This significant increase is due to numerous advancements in health and other areas, including:

• Better nutrition
• Clean water
• Improved sanitation
• Enhanced neonatal health care
• Development of antibiotics
• Widespread vaccination programs
• Technological advancements
• Public health initiatives
• Improved living standards
• Economic growth
• Poverty reduction

Life Expectancy by State

Life expectancy varies from state to state. Hawaii has the highest overall life expectancy, at 80.7 years. This is followed by Washington and Minnesota, with average life expectancies of 79.2 and 79.1 years, respectively. Conversely, Mississippi has the lowest average life span in the U.S., with residents living an average of 71.9 years.

Results are similar for the average 65-plus life expectancy. Hawaii once again claims the No. 1 spot, with residents living an average of 21 years beyond the age of 65. Mississippi is also at the bottom of the list in this regard, with the average 65-plus life expectancy only reaching another 16.1 years.

In both cases, life expectancy for women is higher than for men. The average man in Hawaii has a life expectancy of 77.6 years, while the average woman has a life expectancy of 83.8 years. This trend holds for every state, regardless of its ranking.

Life Expectancy by Country

As of 2023, the global life expectancy for both sexes is 73.4 years. The U.S. is currently ranked 47th for life expectancy, with an average life span of 79.74 years. The countries with the highest life expectancies are Hong Kong, Macao, and Japan, with average life spans of 85.83, 85.51, and 84.95 years, respectively.

On the other hand, the country with the lowest life expectancy is Chad, at only 53.68 years. This means individuals in Hong Kong can expect to live 60% longer than those in Chad.

What Are the Largest Causes of Death? 

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., accounting for 702,880 deaths in 2022. Cancer and preventable injury take second and third place, causing 608,371 and 227,039 deaths, respectively.

FAQ

What are the odds of living to 90?

The odds of living until 90 depend on several factors. However, according to the Society of Actuaries, there is a 50% chance that at least one member of a 65-year-old, different-sex couple will live to age 93 and a 25% chance that one will reach age 97.

Is life expectancy in the U.S. declining?

No, life expectancy in the U.S. is not declining. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, life expectancy did decline between 2019 and 2021. During that period, the average U.S. life span dropped from 78.8 years to 76.4 years. However, as of 2023, life expectancy has once again risen to 79.7 years.

Do anxiety and depression reduce life expectancy?

Yes, anxiety and depression reduce life expectancy. By age 18, individuals with depression have an average life expectancy of an additional 28 years (46 years total). That’s less than half that of the 56.8-year average for people without depression.

Which body type lives the longest?

Individuals in the normal or overweight BMI category (18.5 to 29.9) have the highest life expectancy. Conversely, obese or underweight individuals are more likely to experience health issues that impact their average life span.

Which parent determines longevity?

The parent that determines longevity depends on the sex of the child. Male children may inherit their life span from both their mother's and father's families. In contrast, female children seem to inherit their longevity only from their mother's side.

Sources

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