How has American life expectancy changed since 1880?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

1. What was the life expectancy of the average American born in 1900?

2. What was the life expectancy of the average American born in 2020?

3. Describe the overall trend in life-expectancy in the United States since 1880.

4. What are two reasons for that trend?

5. Despite the overall trend, there have been downturns in American life expectancy such as 1918 when the U.S. was involved in World War I and was hit by the Spanish Influenza. There has been a slight downturn in American life-expectancy since 2020. Why do you think that is?

6. List one thing the chart makes you wonder:

7. Some countries like Japan (84.8 years life expectancy) have an even longer life expectancy than the U.S. Other countries, like Liberia (60.7) have much shorter life expectancy. Why do you think that is?

8. Is there any social, economic, or political downside of longer life expectancy in the US?

9. Based on the chart, what do you predict U.S. life expectancy will be in 2100 right about when you hit 100?

10. Describe how the trend illustrated in the visual above has impacted your own life.

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

Increasing life expectancy is a good thing, but along with aging, come certain problems for individuals and nations. Some experts have argued that we must increase immigration to help deal with our aging native-born population. Others say that because of our aging population we will have to change the terms of our social security program. Contact your president and explain three steps the federal government should take to deal with our aging population.

Get Creative

Based on the trend in the visual above, think about a day in the life of America in 2100 years. Think about how life will be different then. Make a creative response to the data from the visual above.

Learn More

Check out more great visual data about life expectancy at Our World in Data.