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Reviewed 1/16/2024

Life expectancy at birth

See how life expectancy in the U.S. has changed since 1900.

1900

  • Average: 47.3 years.
  • Men: 46.3 years.
  • Women: 48.3 years.

1950

  • Average: 68.2 years.
  • Men: 65.6 years.
  • Women: 71.1 years.

1960

  • Average: 69.7 years.
  • Men: 66.6 years.
  • Women: 73.1 years.

1970

  • Average: 70.8 years.
  • Men: 67.1 years.
  • Women: 74.7 years.

1980

  • Average: 73.7 years.
  • Men: 70.0 years.
  • Women: 77.4 years.

1990

  • Average: 75.4 years.
  • Men: 71.8 years.
  • Women: 78.8 years.

2000

  • Average: 76.8 years.
  • Men: 74.1 years.
  • Women: 79.3 years.

2010

  • Average: 78.7 years.
  • Men: 76.3 years.
  • Women: 81.0 years.

2020

  • Average: 77.0 years.
  • Men: 74.2 years.
  • Women: 79.9 years.
 

Sources

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