US Life Expectancy Hits All-Time High in 2024

CDC reports significant declines in deaths from top causes including heart disease, drug overdoses, and COVID-19.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:47pm

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. life expectancy rose to 79 years in 2024, the highest mark in American history. This is attributed to the dissipation of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as declining death rates from leading causes like heart disease, cancer, and drug overdoses. Preliminary data suggests a continued improvement in 2025 as well.

Why it matters

The increase in life expectancy is a positive sign for public health in the U.S., indicating progress in addressing some of the nation's top health challenges. However, the U.S. still lags behind many other developed countries in life expectancy, so there is still work to be done to improve overall population health.

The details

The CDC reported that in 2024, about 3.07 million U.S. residents died, around 18,000 fewer than the previous year. Death rates declined across all racial and ethnic groups, and in both men and women. Heart disease remained the leading cause of death, but the death rate dropped by about 3% for the second year in a row. Deaths from unintentional injuries, including drug overdoses, fell more than 14%. COVID-19, which was the nation's third leading cause of death just a few years ago, dropped out of the top 10 in 2024.

  • U.S. life expectancy peaked in 2014 at just shy of 79 years.
  • Life expectancy fell to just under 76.5 years in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • In 2024, U.S. life expectancy rose to 79 years, the highest mark in American history.
  • Preliminary data suggests a continued improvement in 2025.

The players

Robert Anderson

Chief of the Mortality Statistics Branch at the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Andrew Stokes

Researcher at Boston University who studies life expectancy.

Dr. Sadiya Khan

Cardiologist and researcher at Northwestern University who studies heart disease.

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What they’re saying

“It's pretty much good news all the way around.”

— Robert Anderson, Chief of the Mortality Statistics Branch at the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (The Associated Press)

“There's a lot more to be done.”

— Andrew Stokes, Researcher at Boston University (The Associated Press)

“A combination of factors are likely at play, including advances in medical treatments and weight management.”

— Dr. Sadiya Khan, Cardiologist and researcher at Northwestern University (The Associated Press)

What’s next

Preliminary data suggests U.S. life expectancy may continue to improve in 2025, but public health experts say there is still work to be done to address underlying health issues and close the gap with other developed countries.

The takeaway

The rise in U.S. life expectancy to an all-time high in 2024 is a positive sign, but the country still lags behind many of its peers. Continued progress will require sustained efforts to address the leading causes of death and improve overall population health.