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Life Expectancy in United States

A baby born in United States in 2024 can expect to live 78.9 years on average — 5.4 years more than the world average of 73.5.

Overall78.9years
Men76.5world: 71.1
Women81.4world: 76.0
World rank#61of 217
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Life expectancy in United States since 1960

607080901960197019801990200020102020
  • Women
  • Men

Since 1960, life expectancy in United States has risen by 9.1 years, from 69.8 to 78.9. During the COVID-19 pandemic it fell by 2.5 years (from 78.8 in 2019 to 76.3 in 2021) and has since recovered. Women live 4.9 years longer than men (81.4 vs 76.5).

Expected age at death in United States by age

Life expectancy at birth includes deaths in childhood. Once people reach adulthood they can expect to live longer — here is the average expected age at death for people who have already reached each age:

Current ageBirth20406080
Men76.577.578.380.487.0
Women81.482.583.284.789.7

Birth: World Bank. Other ages: our survival model calibrated to United States’s figures (method).

How people die in United States

  • Chronic diseases: 88.2%
  • Infections, maternal & nutritional: 5.1%
  • Injuries: 6.7%

In 2019, 88% of deaths in United States were caused by chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes (world: 74%). A United States man has a 16% chance and a woman 11% of dying of one of these diseases between the ages of 30 and 70 (world: 21% and 16%). Road traffic accidents kill 12.7 people per 100,000 each year (world: 16.7).

See which causes of death are most likely for you →

Child mortality

Out of every 1,000 babies born in United States, about 6.5 die before their fifth birthday (world: 37.4). This is one of the main reasons life expectancy at birth differs so much between countries.

United States compared with its region

United States is in the World Bank’s North America region, where the average life expectancy is 81.2 years. It ranks #3 of 3 countries there.

#CountryOverallMenWomen
1Bermuda82.579.185.9
2Canada82.180.084.3
3United States78.976.581.4

See all 217 countries ranked →

Frequently asked questions

What is the life expectancy in United States?

78.9 years in 2024: 76.5 for men and 81.4 for women, according to the World Bank.

Do women live longer than men in United States?

Yes. Women in United States live about 4.9 years longer than men. Worldwide the gap is 4.9 years in favour of women.

How does United States rank for life expectancy?

United States ranks #61 out of 217 countries and territories with data. That is 5.4 years above the world average of 73.5.

What is the average age of death in United States?

Life expectancy at birth (78.9) is pulled down by deaths in childhood. Adults live longer: a 40-year-old man in United States can expect to live to about 78.3, and a 40-year-old woman to about 83.2.

Sources

  • World Bank, World Development Indicators: life expectancy at birth (SP.DYN.LE00.IN, SP.DYN.LE00.MA.IN, SP.DYN.LE00.FE.IN), under-5 mortality (SH.DYN.MORT), causes of death (SH.DTH.NCOM.ZS, SH.DTH.INJR.ZS), mortality from major chronic diseases (SH.DYN.NCOM.MA.ZS, SH.DYN.NCOM.FE.ZS) and road traffic deaths (SH.STA.TRAF.P5). Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Link

Data updated October 25, 2026.

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