Open Access
The average life expectancy is a crucial metric reflecting the overall health and well-being of populations. As of 2024, the average U.S. life expectancy at birth is 77.5 years, surpassing COVID-19 estimates for the first time.
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 2024, the average U.S. life expectancy is 77.5 years, slightly higher than pandemic-era estimates but lower than the 2019 peak of 78.8 years.
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Global life expectancy has more than doubled since 1900, rising from 32 years to over 73 years.
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In the U.S., Hawaii has the highest overall life expectancy, at 79.9 years. Conversely, Mississippi has the lowest average life span, at 70.9 years.
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American women have a higher average life expectancy of 80.2 years, compared to 74.8 years for men.
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Hong Kong has the world’s highest life expectancy at 85.63 years, while the U.S. ranks 48th with an average lifespan of 77.5 years.
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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 77.5 years. This marks the first increase in life expectancy since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to an increase in death rates between 2019 and the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, life expectancy dropped from 78.8 years but climbed again in 2022.
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 Declined 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 estimates have increased by 102.3% since 1860, nearly doubling from 39.4 years to 77.5 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, population estimates from the OECD and WHO show the average life expectancy at a given age 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
Mortality Rates in the U.S.
In 2023, 3,090,582 deaths were reported in the U.S., showing a 6.1% decrease from 2022. The mortality rate among older adults (ages 85 and older) remains notably high.
Life Expectancy by State
Life expectancy varies from state to state. Hawaii has the highest overall life expectancy, at 79.9 years. This is followed by Massachusetts and Connecticut, with average life expectancies of 79.6 and 79.2 years, respectively. Conversely, Mississippi has the lowest average life span in the U.S., with residents living an average of 70.9 years.
Results are similar for the average 65-plus life expectancy. Hawaii once again claims the No. 1 spot, as residents have an average of 20 years beyond age 65 based on age-specific death rates.
Mississippi is 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
According to the United Nations Report 2023, the global life expectancy for both sexes is 73.4 years. The U.S. is currently ranked 48th for life expectancy, with an average life span of 77.5 years.
- The countries with the highest life expectancies are Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea, with average life spans of 85.63, 84.85, and 84.43 years, respectively.
- Among European countries, French Polynesia and Switzerland are in the top 5, while Finland, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Italy rank among the top 50.
- Australia ranks 6th with a period life expectancy of 84 years.
- The country with the lowest life expectancy is Nigeria, at only 54.64 years. This means individuals in Hong Kong can expect to live 56.72% longer than those in Nigeria.
- Data sources also show that African countries have the highest infant mortality rates than Europe, America, and Asia.
What Are the Largest Causes of Death?
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. across all demographic and age groups, accounting for 681,158 deaths in 2023. Cancer and preventable injury take second and third place, causing 613,369 and 223,438 deaths, respectively. While the number of deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease was 114,054.
Mortality Risks in Senior Care Facilities
A study found that the mortality risk for older adults was greater in nursing homes than in senior care settings like assisted living facilities. However, compared to those living at home, residents in senior care facilities faced a higher mortality risk.
FAQs
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 declined between 2019 and 2021. During that period, the average U.S. lifespan dropped from 78.8 years to 76.4 years. However, as of 2023, life expectancy once again rose to 77.5 years based on data sources.
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.
Bottom Line
Life expectancy is a key measure of a population's health and quality of life. In the U.S., the average life expectancy has rebounded to 77.5 years as of 2023, exceeding pre-COVID levels for the first time.
The U.S. currently ranks 48th globally in life expectancy, with heart disease remaining the leading cause of death. Life expectancy also varies widely across states and between genders, with women generally living longer than men. For Americans aged 65, residents of Hawaii can expect to live an additional 20 years on average.
These statistics highlight the importance of targeted public health efforts to support healthy aging across diverse populations.
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