US Life Expectancy Hits All-Time High in 2024

CDC reports continued improvement in 2025 as top causes of death decline.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:23pm

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 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

This marks a significant turnaround from the pandemic's impact, which had caused life expectancy to fall to just under 76.5 years in 2021. The data reflects not only a recovery but also lasting improvements in public health, medical advancements, and the drug overdose crisis.

The details

In 2024, about 3.07 million U.S. residents died, around 18,000 fewer than the previous year. Death rates declined across racial and ethnic groups, and in both men and women. Heart disease remained the leading cause of death, but its death rate dropped by 3% for the second year in a row. Unintentional injuries, including drug overdoses, saw the biggest decline at over 14%. COVID-19 fell out of the top 10 causes of death.

  • In 2021, life expectancy fell to just under 76.5 years.
  • In 2024, U.S. life expectancy rose to 79 years, the highest on record.
  • Preliminary data suggests a continued improvement in 2025.

The players

Robert Anderson

Of the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which released the 2024 data.

Andrew Stokes

A researcher at Boston University.

Dr. Sadiya Khan

Treats and studies heart disease at Northwestern University.

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What they’re saying

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

— Robert Anderson (wbal.com)

“There's a lot more to be done.”

— Andrew Stokes, researcher (wbal.com)

What’s next

Preliminary statistics suggest a continued improvement in U.S. life expectancy in 2025.

The takeaway

The rise in U.S. life expectancy to a record high in 2024 reflects not only the dissipation of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also lasting improvements in public health, medical advancements, and the drug overdose crisis. However, the U.S. still lags behind many other countries, underscoring the need for further progress.