Life Expectancy at Birth: United States
United States's life expectancy at birth is currently 78.89 years as of 2024. # United States Life Expectancy at Birth The United States recorded a life expectancy of 78.
Current (2024)
78.89 years
+0.6% y/y
Peak (2024)
78.89 years
Low (1960)
69.771 years
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Life Expectancy at Birth — United States
1960 — 2024
Life Expectancy at Birth — United States
Analysis# United States Life Expectancy at Birth
The United States recorded a life expectancy of 78.89 years at birth in 2024, matching its all-time peak. This represents a 13.1% improvement since 1960, when the nation's life expectancy stood at 69.77 years. Over six decades, American longevity gains have reflected advances in healthcare, living standards, and disease prevention, though progress has been uneven and subject to periodic reversals.
The COVID-19 pandemic created a stark disruption in this upward trajectory. Life expectancy plummeted to 76.98 years in 2020 and further declined to 76.33 years in 2021—the lowest point since the mid-1980s. The subsequent recovery has been swift and substantial, with life expectancy rebounding to near-record levels by 2024, suggesting the nation's longevity metrics have stabilized after the pandemic's acute toll.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 78.89 years | +0.64% |
| 2023 | 78.385 years | +1.23% |
| 2022 | 77.434 years | +1.45% |
| 2021 | 76.329 years | -0.85% |
| 2020 | 76.98 years | -2.29% |
| 2019 | 78.788 years | +0.19% |
| 2018 | 78.639 years | +0.13% |
| 2017 | 78.539 years | +0.00% |
| 2016 | 78.539 years | -0.19% |
| 2015 | 78.69 years | -0.19% |
| 2014 | 78.841 years | +0.13% |
| 2013 | 78.741 years | +0.00% |
| 2012 | 78.741 years | +0.13% |
| 2011 | 78.641 years | +0.13% |
| 2010 | 78.541 years | +0.19% |
| 2009 | 78.39 years | +0.45% |
| 2008 | 78.039 years | +0.07% |
| 2007 | 77.988 years | +0.39% |
| 2006 | 77.688 years | +0.26% |
| 2005 | 77.488 years | +0.00% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 77.488 years | +0.59% |
| 2003 | 77.037 years | +0.13% |
| 2002 | 76.937 years | +0.13% |
| 2001 | 76.837 years | +0.26% |
| 2000 | 76.637 years | +0.07% |
| 1999 | 76.583 years | +0.00% |
| 1998 | 76.58 years | +0.20% |
| 1997 | 76.429 years | +0.53% |
| 1996 | 76.027 years | +0.54% |
| 1995 | 75.622 years | +0.00% |
| 1994 | 75.62 years | +0.27% |
| 1993 | 75.42 years | -0.26% |
| 1992 | 75.617 years | +0.33% |
| 1991 | 75.366 years | +0.20% |
| 1990 | 75.215 years | +0.26% |
| 1989 | 75.017 years | +0.34% |
| 1988 | 74.766 years | +0.00% |
| 1987 | 74.766 years | +0.20% |
| 1986 | 74.615 years | +0.07% |
| 1985 | 74.563 years | +0.00% |
| 1984 | 74.563 years | +0.13% |
| 1983 | 74.463 years | +0.14% |
| 1982 | 74.361 years | +0.47% |
| 1981 | 74.01 years | +0.54% |
| 1980 | 73.61 years | -0.26% |
| 1979 | 73.805 years | +0.61% |
| 1978 | 73.356 years | +0.14% |
| 1977 | 73.256 years | +0.55% |
| 1976 | 72.856 years | +0.35% |
| 1975 | 72.605 years | +0.90% |
| 1974 | 71.956 years | +0.84% |
| 1973 | 71.356 years | +0.28% |
| 1972 | 71.156 years | +0.07% |
| 1971 | 71.107 years | +0.42% |
| 1970 | 70.807 years | +0.43% |
| 1969 | 70.507 years | +0.79% |
| 1968 | 69.951 years | -0.86% |
| 1967 | 70.561 years | +0.50% |
| 1966 | 70.212 years | -0.00% |
| 1965 | 70.215 years | +0.07% |
| 1964 | 70.166 years | +0.36% |
| 1963 | 69.917 years | -0.29% |
| 1962 | 70.12 years | -0.21% |
| 1961 | 70.271 years | +0.72% |
| 1960 | 69.771 years | — |
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