Deaths & Mortality in the U.S. 2025
In 2025, the United States is experiencing a noticeable shift in mortality trends, with improvements in life expectancy and reductions in overall death rates signaling recovery from the pandemic’s impact. According to the latest CDC data, life expectancy rose to 78.4 years, up 0.9 years from the previous year, while the age-adjusted death rate declined by 6.0% to 750.5 deaths per 100,000 people. These gains reflect advances in public health efforts, improved access to medical care, and the decreasing impact of COVID-19, which fell to the 10th leading cause of death in 2023, down from 4th just a year earlier.
Despite these encouraging improvements, significant health disparities remain across age groups, genders, and racial or ethnic communities. Heart disease and cancer continue to be the top two causes of death, collectively accounting for more than 1.2 million deaths annually. Mortality rates are still disproportionately higher in southern and rural regions, and among Black and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. Understanding these patterns is crucial for guiding future health policy, targeting high-risk populations, and reducing preventable deaths across the country.
Key Mortality Facts in the U.S. 2023
| Mortality Metric | 2023 Data | Change from 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Deaths | 3,090,964 | -188,893 deaths |
| Life Expectancy | 78.4 years | +0.9 years |
| Crude Death Rate | 922.9 per 100,000 | -6.2% |
| Age-Adjusted Death Rate | 750.5 per 100,000 | -6.0% |
| Male Life Expectancy | 75.8 years | +1.0 years |
| Female Life Expectancy | 81.1 years | +0.9 years |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 560.2 per 100,000 live births | No significant change |
| COVID-19 Deaths | 49,932 | -73.2% |
| Life Expectancy at Age 65 | 19.5 years | +0.6 years |
The 2023 mortality data reflects a major turning point for U.S. public health, marking a substantial recovery from pandemic-era losses. Total deaths decreased by 188,893, and life expectancy rebounded to 78.4 years, a gain of 0.9 years from 2022. The age-adjusted death rate also declined significantly by 6.0% from 798.8 deaths per 100,000 standard population in 2022 to 750.5 in 2023, while the crude death rate decreased by 6.2% to 922.9 per 100,000 population. Notably, COVID-19-related deaths plummeted by 73.2%, from nearly 187,000 in 2022 to just 49,932 in 2023, no longer ranking among the top five causes of death.
Gender-specific gains were also significant, with male life expectancy increasing to 75.8 years (+1.0 year) and female life expectancy rising to 81.1 years (+0.9 years). Seniors aged 65 and older now enjoy an average of 19.5 additional years, underscoring better chronic disease management and advances in elder care. However, the infant mortality rate remained unchanged at 560.2 deaths per 100,000 live births, signaling a need for renewed focus on maternal and neonatal health. Overall, these figures highlight major strides in mortality reduction, though certain areas still require attention.
Life Expectancy Trends in the U.S. 2023
| Demographic Group | Life Expectancy (Years) | 2022 Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Total Population | 78.4 | +0.9 |
| Males | 75.8 | +1.0 |
| Females | 81.1 | +0.9 |
| At Age 65 – Total | 19.5 | +0.6 |
| At Age 65 – Males | 18.2 | +0.7 |
| At Age 65 – Females | 20.7 | +0.5 |
| Gender Gap | 5.3 years | -0.1 |
The recovery in life expectancy represents one of the most significant public health achievements in recent years. American life expectancy, which had declined during the pandemic, not only rebounded but showed substantial improvement across all demographic groups. Males experienced a particularly notable gain of 1.0 years, bringing their life expectancy to 75.8 years, while females reached 81.1 years. This improvement reflects the successful management of pandemic-related mortality and renewed focus on preventive healthcare.
The gender gap in life expectancy slightly narrowed to 5.3 years in 2023, representing a 0.1-year decrease from 2022. This convergence suggests that while both sexes benefited from improved mortality outcomes, males saw proportionally greater gains. For Americans reaching age 65, the additional years of life expectancy increased to 19.5 years, with males gaining 0.7 years and females gaining 0.5 years. These improvements in senior life expectancy reflect advances in treating age-related diseases and better management of chronic conditions.
Leading Causes of Death in the U.S. 2023
| Rank | Cause of Death | Deaths | Age-Adjusted Rate per 100,000 | Change from 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart Disease | 680,981 | 162.1 | -3.1% |
| 2 | Cancer | 613,352 | 148.6 | No significant change |
| 3 | Unintentional Injuries | 222,698 | 62.3 | -2.7% |
| 4 | Stroke | 162,321 | 39.0 | -1.3% |
| 5 | Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases | 145,452 | 33.4 | -2.6% |
| 6 | Alzheimer’s Disease | 126,234 | 27.7 | -4.2% |
| 7 | Diabetes | 103,294 | 22.4 | -7.1% |
| 8 | Kidney Disease | 57,937 | 13.1 | -5.1% |
| 9 | Chronic Liver Disease | 54,803 | 13.0 | -5.8% |
| 10 | COVID-19 | 49,932 | 11.9 | -73.3% |
Heart disease continues to dominate as the leading cause of death in America, claiming 680,981 lives in 2023, though this represents a 3.1% decrease in the age-adjusted death rate from 2022. This reduction reflects ongoing improvements in cardiovascular care, including better prevention strategies, advanced treatment options, and increased awareness of heart disease risk factors. Cancer remains the second leading cause with 613,352 deaths, though its age-adjusted rate showed no significant change, indicating that while cancer mortality remains stable, it has not seen the same dramatic improvements as other leading causes.
The most dramatic shift in mortality patterns involved COVID-19, which plummeted from the 4th leading cause of death in 2022 to the 10th position in 2023. This represents a 73.3% decrease in age-adjusted death rates, with deaths dropping from 186,552 in 2022 to 49,932 in 2023. This remarkable decline reflects the effectiveness of vaccination programs, improved treatment protocols, and the development of natural immunity. Unintentional injuries maintained their position as the third leading cause, but showed a 2.7% improvement in age-adjusted death rates, suggesting progress in safety measures and injury prevention programs.
Age-Specific Death Rates in the U.S. 2023
| Age Group | 2023 Death Rate per 100,000 | 2022 Death Rate per 100,000 | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-4 years | 25.4 | 25.8 | No significant change |
| 5-14 years | 14.7 | 15.3 | -3.9% |
| 15-24 years | 76.8 | 79.5 | -3.4% |
| 25-34 years | 148.1 | 163.4 | -9.4% |
| 35-44 years | 237.3 | 255.4 | -7.1% |
| 45-54 years | 411.8 | 453.3 | -9.2% |
| 55-64 years | 899.6 | 992.1 | -9.3% |
| 65-74 years | 1,809.6 | 1,978.7 | -8.5% |
| 75-84 years | 4,345.5 | 4,708.2 | -7.7% |
| 85+ years | 14,285.8 | 14,389.6 | -0.7% |
The age-specific death rate analysis reveals that virtually all age groups experienced significant mortality improvements in 2023. Adults aged 25-34 saw the largest proportional decrease at 9.4%, followed closely by adults aged 55-64 at 9.3% and adults aged 45-54 at 9.2%. These substantial reductions in middle-aged mortality rates suggest successful interventions in managing chronic diseases, reducing overdose deaths, and improving access to healthcare during prime working years.
Children and adolescents also benefited from improved mortality outcomes, with 5-14 year olds experiencing a 3.9% decrease and 15-24 year olds seeing a 3.4% reduction in death rates. Only the 1-4 year age group showed no significant change, indicating that early childhood mortality rates have reached a relatively stable plateau. The smallest improvement was observed in the 85+ age group with just a 0.7% decrease, which is expected given the inherent challenges of extending life at very advanced ages. These patterns suggest that mortality improvements were broadly distributed across the population, with particularly strong gains among working-age adults.
Racial and Ethnic Mortality Disparities in the U.S. 2023
| Race/Ethnicity and Sex | 2023 Age-Adjusted Death Rate per 100,000 | 2022 Rate | Percent Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hispanic Males | 692.8 | 774.2 | -10.5% |
| Hispanic Females | 472.4 | 512.9 | -7.9% |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native Males | 1,277.7 | 1,444.1 | -11.5% |
| Non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native Females | 920.3 | 1,063.6 | -13.5% |
| Non-Hispanic Asian Males | 476.1 | 522.2 | -8.8% |
| Non-Hispanic Asian Females | 334.6 | 354.9 | -5.7% |
| Non-Hispanic Black Males | 1,151.6 | 1,263.3 | -8.8% |
| Non-Hispanic Black Females | 753.6 | 813.2 | -7.3% |
| Non-Hispanic White Males | 906.4 | 971.9 | -6.7% |
| Non-Hispanic White Females | 662.8 | 691.9 | -4.2% |
The racial and ethnic mortality data reveals both encouraging progress and persistent disparities. American Indian and Alaska Native females experienced the most dramatic improvement with a 13.5% decrease in age-adjusted death rates, followed by American Indian and Alaska Native males at 11.5% and Hispanic males at 10.5%. These substantial gains suggest that targeted public health interventions and improved healthcare access may be beginning to address longstanding health disparities in these communities.
Despite these improvements, significant mortality disparities persist across racial and ethnic groups. American Indian and Alaska Native populations continue to experience the highest death rates, with males at 1,277.7 per 100,000 and females at 920.3 per 100,000, far exceeding rates for other groups. Black Americans also face elevated mortality rates, with males at 1,151.6 per 100,000 and females at 753.6 per 100,000. In contrast, Asian Americans maintain the lowest mortality rates across both sexes, with males at 476.1 per 100,000 and females at 334.6 per 100,000. These disparities reflect complex interactions of socioeconomic factors, healthcare access, environmental conditions, and historical inequities that continue to impact health outcomes.
Infant Mortality in the U.S. 2023
| Infant Mortality Metric | 2023 Data | 2022 Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Total Infant Deaths | 20,145 | -408 deaths |
| Infant Mortality Rate | 560.2 per 100,000 live births | No significant change |
| Leading Cause | Congenital Malformations | Same as 2022 |
| Second Leading Cause | Low Birth Weight | Same as 2022 |
| Third Leading Cause | Sudden Infant Death Syndrome | Same as 2022 |
Infant mortality in the United States remained relatively stable in 2023, with 20,145 infant deaths representing a decrease of 408 deaths from 2022. However, the infant mortality rate of 560.2 per 100,000 live births showed no statistically significant change from the previous year. This stability suggests that while progress has been made in reducing the absolute number of infant deaths, the rate relative to live births has plateaued at current levels.
The leading causes of infant death remained consistent with previous years, with congenital malformations continuing as the primary cause, followed by low birth weight complications and sudden infant death syndrome. The only notable change in infant mortality patterns was a 10.7% decrease in deaths from cord and placental complications, which dropped from the sixth to seventh leading cause of infant death. This improvement likely reflects advances in prenatal care and delivery management, though overall infant mortality rates suggest that substantial challenges remain in ensuring optimal outcomes for America’s youngest citizens.
COVID-19 Impact on Mortality in the U.S. 2023
| COVID-19 Mortality Metric | 2023 Data | 2022 Data | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| COVID-19 Deaths | 49,932 | 186,552 | -73.2% |
| Ranking as Cause of Death | 10th | 4th | Dropped 6 positions |
| Age-Adjusted Death Rate | 11.9 per 100,000 | 44.5 per 100,000 | -73.3% |
| Contribution to Total Deaths | 1.6% | 5.7% | -4.1 percentage points |
The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on mortality showed a dramatic reversal in 2023, with deaths from the virus dropping by an unprecedented 73.2% from 2022 levels. This remarkable decline from 186,552 deaths in 2022 to 49,932 deaths in 2023 represents one of the most significant year-over-year improvements in cause-specific mortality in recent American history. The age-adjusted death rate fell correspondingly from 44.5 per 100,000 to 11.9 per 100,000, indicating that this improvement was consistent across age groups.
COVID-19’s ranking as a cause of death plummeted from the 4th leading cause in 2022 to the 10th position in 2023, allowing other causes to move up in the rankings. This shift reflects the effectiveness of widespread vaccination programs, improved treatment protocols, the development of effective antiviral medications, and the accumulation of natural immunity in the population. The virus’s contribution to total deaths declined from 5.7% in 2022 to just 1.6% in 2023, suggesting that COVID-19 has transitioned from a major driver of excess mortality to a more manageable endemic disease, though continued vigilance remains important for vulnerable populations.
Regional and State Variations in Mortality Rates in the U.S. 2023
| Region/State Category | Mortality Characteristics | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|
| Southern States | Higher overall mortality rates | Chronic disease prevalence, healthcare access |
| Western States | Lower mortality rates | Healthier lifestyles, better healthcare infrastructure |
| Rural Areas | Elevated death rates | Limited healthcare access, economic factors |
| Urban Areas | Lower death rates | Better healthcare access, more specialists |
| Northeastern States | Mixed patterns | Varying by state healthcare systems |
| Midwestern States | Moderate mortality rates | Industrial health factors, agricultural influences |
Regional mortality patterns in the United States continue to reflect longstanding geographic disparities in health outcomes. Southern states generally maintain higher mortality rates due to elevated prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, combined with challenges in healthcare access and socioeconomic factors. Western states typically demonstrate lower mortality rates, benefiting from healthier lifestyle patterns, better healthcare infrastructure, and more favorable socioeconomic conditions.
The urban-rural divide in mortality remains pronounced, with rural areas experiencing consistently higher death rates across multiple causes. This disparity reflects limited access to specialized healthcare, longer travel distances to medical facilities, economic challenges, and higher rates of risk factors such as smoking and obesity. Urban areas benefit from proximity to major medical centers, greater availability of specialists, and better access to emergency services, though they also face unique challenges such as air pollution and violence-related mortality in certain neighborhoods.
Future Trends and Implications for U.S. Mortality 2024-2025
The mortality improvements observed in 2023 suggest several important trends that may continue into 2024 and 2025. The successful management of COVID-19 as an endemic disease demonstrates the healthcare system’s adaptability and the effectiveness of public health interventions. However, challenges remain in addressing persistent causes of mortality, particularly heart disease and cancer, which together account for nearly 40% of all deaths. Continued investment in preventive care, early detection, and treatment innovations will be crucial for further mortality improvements.
Demographic aging presents both opportunities and challenges for future mortality trends. While life expectancy gains are encouraging, an aging population will likely increase the absolute number of deaths even as age-adjusted rates improve. The narrowing gender gap in life expectancy suggests that targeted interventions for male health issues are showing results, though continued attention to men’s health remains important. Racial and ethnic disparities, while improving, still require sustained effort to achieve health equity across all populations.
The stabilization of infant mortality rates indicates that further improvements in this critical area may require new approaches and continued investment in maternal and child health programs. Technological advances in medicine, including personalized treatments, improved diagnostic tools, and better preventive care, offer promise for continued mortality improvements. However, ensuring equitable access to these advances across all populations will be essential for maximizing their impact on national mortality statistics.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
