Average Life Expectancy in the United States
The average American lives to approximately 76.4 years, according to commonly cited CDC National Center for Health Statistics figures. But that single number hides enormous variation by sex, state, income, and — most importantly for you personally — lifestyle. This page breaks down what the US average actually means and what moves it. For a personalized estimate based on your habits, use our life expectancy calculator.
Current US Life Expectancy (CDC Data)
The CDC National Center for Health Statistics publishes annual life expectancy figures. The most recent comprehensive figures commonly cited in summaries put overall US life expectancy at approximately 76.4 years. That number reflects a partial recovery after COVID-19-related declines in 2020–2021, which pushed life expectancy to its lowest point in decades. Pre-pandemic, the US was around 78.8 years. The recovery has been uneven across demographic groups, with differences shaped by chronic disease burden, healthcare access, and mortality from accidents, overdose, and violence.
US Life Expectancy by Age and Sex — SSA 2022 Period Life Table
| Current Age | Men (additional years) | Women (additional years) | Men (estimated lifespan) | Women (estimated lifespan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 74.8 | 80.2 | 74.8 | 80.2 |
| 20 | 55.8 | 60.8 | 75.8 | 80.8 |
| 30 | 46.5 | 51.0 | 76.5 | 81.0 |
| 40 | 37.2 | 41.3 | 77.2 | 81.3 |
| 50 | 28.4 | 31.9 | 78.4 | 81.9 |
| 60 | 20.4 | 23.1 | 80.4 | 83.1 |
| 65 | 17.1 | 19.2 | 82.1 | 84.2 |
| 70 | 14.0 | 15.5 | 84.0 | 85.5 |
| 80 | 8.7 | 9.6 | 88.7 | 89.6 |
ex = expected additional years of life from that age. Source: SSA 2022 Period Life Table. Estimated lifespan = current age + ex.
How US Life Expectancy Has Changed Over Time
US life expectancy rose steadily through the 20th century, from around 47 years in 1900 to nearly 79 years by 2019, driven by sanitation, antibiotics, vaccines, and reduced smoking. The opioid crisis caused a dip starting around 2015. COVID-19 caused the sharpest single-year decline in decades. Recovery began in 2022. The longer arc is still upward — but progress is not automatic and varies significantly by population group.
Why the US Ranks Lower Than Other Wealthy Countries
Despite being one of the highest-GDP countries, the US ranks around 37th globally. Contributing factors include higher obesity rates (affecting cardiovascular and metabolic disease), higher firearms mortality than peer nations, fragmented healthcare coverage that creates gaps in preventive care, higher opioid and drug overdose mortality, and shorter average paid leave that reduces access to preventive appointments. This is a systems story, not a character story — and it means individual choices matter more in the US, not less.
What Moves the US Average Up or Down for Individuals
Factors that can add years
Regular exercise is associated with meaningful longevity gains in cohort studies (often on the order of a few years, such as +2 to +3 years). Never smoking versus daily smoking can represent roughly a decade difference. A healthy BMI can add years versus obesity bands, and consistently getting 7–8 hours of sleep is associated with better long-term outcomes. Strong social connections correlate with lower mortality risk, and preventive healthcare helps by catching hypertension, diabetes, and cancers earlier.
Factors that can subtract years
Daily smoking is among the highest-impact negative factors (often cited around −10 years in population comparisons). Severe obesity can subtract roughly −5 to −7 years, heavy alcohol use roughly −4 to −5 years, and chronic high stress roughly −2 to −3 years in some analyses. Sedentary lifestyle and poor sleep also correlate with elevated risk. These are population estimates from longitudinal research — individual variation is real.
Our life expectancy calculator lets you stack these factors together and see your personalized estimate in real time.
The Average Is a Floor, Not a Ceiling
The 76.4-year average includes smokers, sedentary individuals, people with untreated chronic conditions, and those with limited healthcare access. A person who doesn't smoke, exercises regularly, sleeps well, and gets preventive care can realistically expect to significantly outperform the national average. The average describes what happens when you do nothing special — not what's possible. Explore practical steps in how to live longer.
FAQ
What is the current average life expectancy in the United States?
A commonly cited CDC National Center for Health Statistics figure is approximately 76.4 years overall, though the exact number varies by year and methodology.
Why did US life expectancy drop recently?
COVID-19 caused the sharpest single-year declines in decades in 2020–2021. Opioid overdose mortality and chronic disease trends also contributed. Recovery began in 2022 but has been uneven across groups.
What is the average life expectancy for men in the US?
Commonly cited CDC summaries place US men around 74.8 years on average, varying by year and data source.
What is the average life expectancy for women in the US?
Commonly cited CDC summaries place US women around 80.2 years on average, varying by year and data source.
How does the US compare to other countries in life expectancy?
In many recent global comparisons, the US ranks around the mid-30s among wealthy nations, despite high GDP per capita. The drivers are largely systems-level (healthcare access, obesity, firearms mortality, overdose mortality).
What is the single biggest thing I can do to live longer than the US average?
Not smoking (or quitting if you currently smoke) is consistently among the highest-impact levers in population studies, often associated with a gap of around a decade versus daily smoking. Regular exercise and preventive care are also high-leverage.
Data Sources
CDC National Center for Health Statistics — Life Expectancy
Social Security Administration — Period Life Tables (SSA 2022 Period Life Table)
Related: see life expectancy by state, life expectancy by country, and life expectancy differences between men and women.