Americans can expect to live longer than ever, per the latest CDC data

Life expectancy at birth hit 79 in the US on average, though outcomes vary across state and economic boundaries.

1/29/26 12:44PM

Toward the end of last year, US entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and man who measures pretty much every aspect of his existence, Bryan Johnson, tweeted that he hopes to achieve immortality by 2039. While not everyone is as committed as Johnson to the cause of living as long as possible — what a world that would be — new data shows that Americans are certainly looking a little healthier than in previous years.

The new report released on Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that newborn Americans in 2024 could expect to live to 79 on average, with the life expectancy figure having fully recovered from a pandemic-era dip to hit a new high.

US life expectancy chart — Sherwood News

Improvement was seen across both males and females in the US, and the chief of the National Center for Health Statistics’ Statistical Analysis and Surveillance Branch cited “improvements coming out of the pandemic” and “declines in overdose deaths” to explain the rise. Overdose-related deaths dropped over 26% in 2024 from the year before, The Wall Street Journal noted from the data, while the report also showed that the three leading causes of death in the US (heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries) also dropped.

Some famous current 79-year-old Americans include: former President George Bush, Cher, Sylvester Stallone, and President Donald Trump. Of course, life expectancies change once you’ve already reached a milestone — the headline figure is always based on the expectation from birth.

Live long (if you prosper)

Though state-level data for 2024 life expectancy is not yet available, the figures, as we’ve covered here in the past, do tend to vary quite wildly across the nation, with states where personal income per capita is higher than average seeing higher levels, in some cases by several years. Experts were also keen to point out the US’s lagging life expectancy by comparison to other wealthy nations.

Jake Lahut

PAIN AT THE PUMP

4/29/26

Analyst: US could see $5 gas by Memorial Day, $6 per gallon on the table

Gas could hit $5 per gallon by Memorial Day, $6 by later in the summer: “Nothing’s impossible at this point.”

Gas station in front of the Gordie Howe International Bridge under construction.

Tom Jones4/29/26

The UAE’s OPEC exit will hit the group in the barrels

After just shy of 60 years in OPEC, its membership even predating its status as a nation-state, the United Arab Emirates yesterday announced its shocking departure from the oil production group, effective May 1, as the knock-on effects of the Iran war continue to play out across the Middle East and the energy landscape.

For context, the UAE produces the third-highest amount of oil in the group, per April data and OPEC’s latest set of annual statistics.

According to the cartel’s 2025 Annual Statistical Bulletin, the OPEC group was collectively exporting some 19 million barrels of crude oil a day last year, with the United Arab Emirates accounting for some 14% of that daily output.

UAExit means UAExit

The nation, whose energy minister told Reuters yesterday that the decision was taken “after a careful look at current and future policies related to level of production” and wasn’t made following discussions with any other country, made up a healthy share of the group’s total confirmed crude oil reserves, as well.

Of the 12 nations in the core group, which was founded by just five oil superpowers back in September 1960, only two (Iraq and Saudi Arabia) exported more barrels of crude oil daily, pumping out 3.36 million and 6.05 million barrels, respectively, each day to nations around the world.

For its part, the UAE said it will “continue its responsible role by gradually and thoughtfully increasing production, in line with demand and market conditions,” per the official state news agency. Clearly, the nation now wants a little more control of just how much oil it can pump around the world, with the UAE having to eat a large proportion of lost revenues due to its healthy abundance and OPEC restrictions.