US Life Expectancy Rises to 78.4 Years, Rebounding Toward Pre-Pandemic Levels

Declines in COVID-19 and drug overdose deaths drive the second consecutive year of life expectancy gains, though disparities and long-term challenges persist.

New CDC data shows US life expectancy increased by nearly a year in 2023, reaching 78.4 years, still slightly below the 2019 pre-pandemic level of 78.8 years.
COVID-19 deaths dropped significantly by 73% in 2023, moving from the fourth to the tenth leading cause of death in the US.
Drug overdose deaths declined by 4% in 2023, the first decrease in over five years, with further reductions reported in 2024 due to expanded access to naloxone and addiction treatments.
Death rates decreased for 9 of the top 10 leading causes of death, including heart disease, diabetes, and chronic liver disease, while cancer death rates remained unchanged.
Despite progress, US life expectancy continues to lag behind other wealthy nations, with disparities persisting across racial, ethnic, and gender groups, and high mortality rates among children and younger adults compared to peer countries.