Covid-19 Pandemic Causes Largest Drop In U.S. Life Expectancy Since World War 2

Topline

Average life expectancy in the U.S. dropped by a full year in the first six months of 2020—the largest drop since World War 2—according to preliminary data released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), highlighting the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the general population in the country.

Key Facts

Key Background

According to the Associated Press, this is the first time the CDC has reported life expectancy data from partial records. It is unclear if the sharp spike in Covid-19 deaths during the last two months of the year may worsen the life expectancy number for the whole year. The decline, however, is expected to be temporary and is likely to more or less correct itself next year as Covid-19 deaths decline due to vaccinations and drop in infections. While declines in life expectancy are rare in the developed world, the U.S. saw a small drop in numbers between 2014 and 2017 fueled by the opioid epidemic. 

Surprising Fact

In 1918, in the midst of the last major pandemic, life expectancy declined by a staggering 11.8 years compared to 1917. As hundreds of thousands of Americans died from the Spanish Flu, life expectancy in the country slumped to 39 years.

Further Reading

US life expectancy drops a year in pandemic, most since WWII (Associated Press)

A Grim Measure of Covid’s Toll: Life Expectancy Drops Sharply in U.S. (New York Times)

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