U.S. life expectancy at birth fell to its lowest point since 1996 during the pandemic. It rose in 2022 and 2023 but remained below the 2019 level. Abridged life tables were used to assess the results for 2024, based on CDC WONDER mortality data and Census Bureau population estimates. In 2024, life expectancy at birth increased to 79.13 years, and to 19.87 years at age 65. These gains have nearly reversed the declines seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This study did not receive any funding.

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Yes

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Source data were openly available before the initiation of the study. Source data links: https://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10-provisional.html https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-kits/2020/population-estimates-detailed.html https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-national-detail.html

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Yes

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