Life expectancy in U.S. hit record high of 79 years in 2024, CDC says
January 29, 2026 / 6:57 AM EST / CBS/AP
TL;DR
- U.S. life expectancy reached a record high of 79 years in 2024.
- Improvements are attributed to the dissipation of the COVID-19 pandemic and declining death rates from heart disease, cancer, and drug overdoses.
- Preliminary statistics suggest a continued rise in life expectancy for 2025.
- The number of deaths in the U.S. decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year.
- Death rates declined across all racial and ethnic groups and for both men and women.
- The infant mortality rate remained relatively stable.
- Deaths from unintentional injuries, including drug overdoses, saw the largest decrease.
- COVID-19 dropped out of the top 10 leading causes of death.
- Suicide entered the top 10 leading causes of death, despite a decline in suicides.
- The U.S. ranks below many other countries in life expectancy.