What kills Americans at each age
Eight facts computed from every US death certificate of 2023 and 2024 (CDC) and census population, next to 36 other countries (Belarus, whose causes of death by age are estimated, only where life expectancy is compared). Every number links to the page it comes from. Free to cite with a link.
Overdoses are the most likely cause of death for American men aged 20–44 and women aged 15–49
The most likely cause of death over the next 10 years, by age:
Overdoses and suicide are among the most preventable causes of death. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — free and confidential, any time. Or find help at findahelpline.com.
A young American man is 2.6 times as likely to die in the next year as a British one
Chance of dying in the next 12 months, for someone in the middle of each age group:
| men · 1 in | US | CA | UK | DE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 1 in 614 | 1 in 1,020 | 1 in 1,598 | 1 in 2,184 |
| 35 | 1 in 372 | 1 in 611 | 1 in 772 | 1 in 1,012 |
| 45 | 1 in 234 | 1 in 391 | 1 in 355 | 1 in 413 |
| 55 | 1 in 113 | 1 in 169 | 1 in 161 | 1 in 149 |
| 65 | 1 in 54 | 1 in 74 | 1 in 69 | 1 in 55 |
The gap is widest for young adults and narrows with age — the extra risk is mostly overdoses, road deaths, homicide and suicide, not disease.
American men in their late 30s have the highest overdose risk of all 36 countries
Chance of dying from accidental poisoning (mostly drug overdoses) within 10 years, men aged 35–39:
- United States0.74%
- Canada0.59%
- Estonia0.38%
- Latvia0.36%
- Lithuania0.34%
- United Kingdom0.31%
- Iceland0.29%
- Norway0.21%
- Finland0.17%
- Ireland0.16%
Overdoses are preventable, and treatment works. If you or someone you love is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — free and confidential, any time. Or find help at findahelpline.com.
A young American man's risk of being killed is 4 times the next-highest country's
Chance of dying by homicide within 10 years, men aged 20–24:
Road deaths: American men aged 20–24 rank 2nd of 36
Chance of dying in a road accident within 10 years, men aged 20–24:
A 20-year-old American man has a 73% chance of reaching 70
Chance that a 20-year-old man lives to 70, at today's death rates (women in the US: 83%):
Life expectancy: the US ranks 24th of 37 for men and 29th for women
Life expectancy at birth, men (years):
- Switzerland82.1
- Sweden81.5
- Norway81.3
- Italy81.1
- Iceland81.0
- Spain81.0
- Ireland80.9
- Cyprus80.9
- Malta80.7
- Luxembourg80.4
- Netherlands80.2
- Belgium80.1
- France79.9
- Canada79.7
- Denmark79.6
- Austria79.4
- Portugal79.3
- United Kingdom79.2
- Greece79.0
- Finland78.9
- Slovenia78.5
- Germany78.4
- Czechia76.8
- United States76.0
- Croatia75.3
- Slovakia74.8
- Türkiye74.7
- Poland74.6
- Estonia74.2
- Serbia73.6
- Hungary73.3
- Lithuania72.8
- Romania72.5
- Bulgaria71.9
- Latvia70.4
- Belarus69.2
- Moldova67.4
Diseases of aging only become American men's top threat at 46
The age at which heart disease, cancer, lung, brain or metabolic disease becomes the most likely cause of death — before it, it's road deaths and overdoses. American women: 48.
See what's most likely to kill someone of your age and sex in the US — for example men aged 25–29. Free.
Computed by Odainn from official CDC mortality statistics (every US death certificate, 2023–2024) and US Census Bureau population — how we calculate. Also: Canada, the UK, Europe. Population statistics, not predictions for any individual. Educational, not medical advice.