Health library

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: 76.2 years.
• Women: 81.0 years.

2020

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

Source: National Center for Health Statistics