articleThe Brief Life expectancy reached 79 years in the U.S. in 2024, marking its highest age in American history. Lower death rates were reported for all the leading causes of death, including heart disease and cancer. Life expectancy in the U.S. was 79 years in 2024, up from 78.4 in 2023. In 2021, life expectancy fell to just under 76 1/2 years, but it’s been going up ever since. For women, life expectancy increased from 81.1 in 2023 to 81.4 in 2024, the CDC report found.