According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average life expectancy in the U.S. decreased from 78.8 years in 2019 to 76.1 years in 2021 — the lowest since 1996. Using statistics from the CDC, MoneyGeek explored this decline, along with many factors that influence the average American lifespan, such as sex, age, race and ethnicity. Additionally, MoneyGeek utilized statistics from the World Bank to compare U.S. life expectancy with that of other G7 countries.
What Is the Average Life Expectancy in the US?
Updated: May 29, 2024
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Key Takeaways
The average life expectancy in the U.S. varies by age, sex, race and ethnicity. In addition to examining how these factors impact life expectancy, MoneyGeek also explored how American life expectancy compares to other countries. Here's what we found.
According to the CDC, as of 2021, life expectancy among Americans averages 76.1 years.
There is a difference of 5.9 years in life expectancy between the sexes. The average for females is 79.1, and 73.2 for males.
Non-Hispanic Asian individuals have a life expectancy of 83.5 years, the highest among any ethnicity surveyed and released by the CDC in 2022.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other causes, the U.S.'s average life expectancy decreased by 2.7 years from 2019 to 2020. That's the lowest it's been since 1996.
Other G7 countries, such as the United Kingdom, Japan and the Netherlands, have higher life expectancies than the United States.
Life Expectancy Over Time
Based on the CDC's provisional data, the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 76.1 years. However, it's crucial to understand this hasn’t always been the case. MoneyGeek’s graph details how figures have changed since 1980.
Although life expectancy among Americans has fluctuated over the years, the general trend has been upward for the last four decades. It reached an all-time high in 2004 at 78.9 years. However, between 2019 and 2020, it decreased by 1.8 to 77 years, the most significant change between two consecutive years.
Since then, life expectancy in the U.S. has continued to shorten and currently sits at 76.1 years in 2021. The pandemic contributed significantly to the sharp decline, making up three-quarters of the shorter life expectancy between 2019 and 2020. From 2020 to 2021, COVID-19 made up 50%, while 16% were accidental and preventable deaths, most of which were from drug overdoses.
Life Expectancy by Sex
Understanding life expectancy means going beyond the overall average. For example, breaking the numbers down by sex shows that the average lifespan of a woman in the U.S. is higher than for men. The graph below presents data for men and women since 2019.
Source: Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2021, Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2020, Mortality in the United States, 2019
The CDC's provisional numbers still show that females live longer than males. As of 2021, the average lifespan of a man in the U.S. is 73.2 years. In comparison, women live almost six years longer at 79.1 years.
However, looking at how life expectancy numbers have declined since 2019, you'll notice that the year-on-year difference for females is less drastic. Life expectancy for men shortened by 1.8 years from 2019 to 2020 and 1.3 years from 2020 to 2021, while changes in female life expectancy were 1.2 years (2019–2020) and 1.1 years (2020–2021).
The gap between male and female life expectancies has grown in the last two years. It went from 5.1 years in 2019 to 5.9 years in 2021.
Life Expectancy by Age
Age is another area that demonstrates a difference in life expectancy numbers. MoneyGeek's graph shows the average life expectancy at two life stages: birth and age 65. Assuming death rates remain the same, life expectancy at 65 refers to how many additional years a person can live on average from that age. It is worth exploring since a higher number suggests that the older population is in better overall health.
Source: Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2021, Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2020, Mortality in the United States, 2019
Looking at life expectancy figures from 2019, you'll see a downward trend, whether from birth or age 65.
The average life expectancy in the U.S. from birth is 2.7 years shorter in 2021 than in 2019. The same trend applies to life expectancy at 65. In 2019, it was 19.6 years; in 2021, it was 18.3 years.
Life Expectancy by Race and Ethnicity
Race and ethnicity are other relevant factors to explore regarding average life expectancy in the U.S. The CDC looked at five groups in particular:
- Hispanic
- Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN)
- Non-Hispanic Asian
- Non-Hispanic Black
- Non-Hispanic White
MoneyGeek's graph shows how numbers have shifted between 2019 and 2021.
The average life expectancy in the U.S. across all races and ethnicities has continuously decreased from 2019 to 2021, though the disparity between the last two years is smaller.
Breaking the numbers down by race and ethnicity shows the same trend, though in varying severity. The life expectancy of the AIAN population dipped significantly (4.7 years) from 2019 to 2020. Meanwhile, the non-Hispanic Asian population had the longest life expectancy in 2020, at 83.6 years.
The downward trend across all ethnicities surveyed continued from 2020 to 2021, although to a lesser degree. The differences between the Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic Asian populations were less than a year. However, the AIAN population's life expectancy was shortened by 1.9 years, while the non-Hispanic White population's life expectancy decreased by one year.
US Life Expectancy vs. Other Countries
America has one of the strongest economies in the world and spends a significant amount of its resources on health care. In 2021, the U.S.'s health care spending reached $4.3 trillion — 2.7% higher than in 2020.
Our analysis compares the average life expectancy in the U.S. to other similarly developed countries in the G7. Note that these figures only go as far as 2020 since more recent information is yet to be available.
Source: The World Bank
Despite the number of resources allocated to health care, the U.S. comes in last for life expectancy among the G7 countries. Japan had the highest life expectancy in 2020 at 85 years, closely followed by Canada, France and Italy, all with a life expectancy of 82 years.
The other two countries (Germany and the United Kingdom) followed closely behind at 81 years. The United States was the only country with a life expectancy average in the 70s.
Life Expectancy FAQ
Knowing the average life expectancy in the U.S. can help you make better financial decisions. MoneyGeek included commonly asked questions about this subject, and the answers could help you with estate planning or whether or not to purchase life insurance.
What is the average life expectancy in the U.S. in 2021?
The CDC's 2021 provisional data show that the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 76.1 years, the lowest since 1996.
What contributed to the sharp decline in life expectancy from 2019 to 2021?
Most of the decline in life expectancy in 2020 can be attributed to the pandemic. COVID-19 remained a significant contributor in 2021.
Other significant contributors in 2021 were unintentional injuries and accidents (most of which were drug overdoses), totaling 16% of the decline.
Is there a difference in life expectancy between men and women?
Yes. Numbers show that women tend to live longer than men. In 2021, the life expectancy for females was 79.1; for males, it was 73.2 years. Historical data indicates that this is a long-standing trend. However, the gap between males and females has increased from 5.1 years in 2019 to 5.9 years in 2021.
Why is life expectancy at age 65 measured? What is its value compared to measuring life expectancy at birth?
Life expectancy at birth gives you an idea of how long an individual can live, assuming death rates don't change throughout their lifetime. Life expectancy at 65, as its name implies, is how much longer a 65-year-old is likely to live. The higher the number, the better the overall health of older adults.
Considering race and ethnicity, which one has the highest life expectancy?
The non-Hispanic Asian population had the highest life expectancy in 2021, at 83.5 years. The life expectancy of all other races and ethnicities included in the CDC's provisional data was below 80 — the lowest being the non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) population, at 65.2 years.
How does the U.S. fare in comparison to other G7 countries regarding life expectancy?
The average life expectancy of most G7 countries decreased from 2019 to 2020. In the case of Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom, it remained the same. The sole exception is Japan — its life expectancy went from 84 to 85 years.
However, the average life expectancy in the U.S. went from 79 years in 2019 to 77 years in 2020. This means the U.S. was already lagging behind the other G7 countries before the pandemic.
Related Content
Reading about life expectancy numbers can open the door to many questions regarding personal finance. Should you invest in life insurance? Is it time to plan your estate? Fortunately, there's no lack of online resources to provide you with the necessary information.
- From Coverage to Claims: How Does Life Insurance Work?: Become familiar with the ins and outs of life insurance. Determine which type of life insurance plan fits your needs.
- Is Life Insurance Worth It? How to Decide Whether to Get Life Insurance: A life insurance policy comes with many benefits, but it isn’t for everyone. MoneyGeek explores reasons to buy and not buy coverage so you can determine what’s best for your situation.
- How Much Does Life Insurance Cost?: Your life insurance premium is influenced by various factors. MoneyGeek breaks them down in detail and shares tips on how to lower premium rates.
- Best Life Insurance for Seniors in 2023: You may spend more on life insurance as you get older, but finding affordable options is possible.
- Estate Planning Checkup: 15 Minutes To Put You On a Good Path: Part of good money management is planning your estate. MoneyGeek provides steps to get you started.
About Angelique Cruz
Angelique Cruz, a researcher and content producer at MoneyGeek, specializes in writing informative content on personal, auto and home loans. She has extensive experience developing content on macroeconomics, financial statistics and behavioral finance. She also has a 10-year background in management consultancy.
Cruz has a psychology degree from Ateneo de Manila University.
sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Life Expectancy in the U.S. Dropped for the Second Year in a Row." Accessed May 28, 2024.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. "National Health Expenditure Data — Historical." Accessed May 28, 2024.
- National Vital Statistics System. "Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2021." Accessed May 28, 2024.
- Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. "How Does U.S. Life Expectancy Compare to other." Accessed May 28, 2024.
- The World Bank. "Life Expectancy at Birth, Total (Years) — Italy, United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Canada, France, Germany." Accessed May 28, 2024.
- Council on Foreign Relations. "Where is the G7 Headed?." Accessed May 28, 2024.