Hawaii boasts the highest life expectancy among U.S. states, with an average of 80.7 years, making it the only state with an average above 80 years. This data, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suggests that heading out West generally correlates with longer lifespans in the United States, despite an overall sharp decline in U.S. life expectancy in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For instance, in 2022, Hawaii ranked first for total and female populations with 80.0 and 83.0 years respectively, while Massachusetts led for males at 77.4 years. The U.S. national average in 2022 was 77.5 years, with female life expectancy at 80.2 years and male at 74.8 years.
Globally, Monaco has the longest life expectancy at 86.4 years, followed by San Marino at 85.7 years and Liechtenstein at 84.6 years. Other top countries include Switzerland, Japan, and Singapore, where residents often live into their mid-80s. In contrast, Nigeria has the lowest at 54.5 years. High life expectancy is strongly linked to factors such as accessible healthcare, quality nutrition, robust sanitation systems, widespread education, and economic development, highlighting significant disparities in global health outcomes.
The difference in life expectancy between the longest- and shortest-lived nations can exceed 30 years. Japan's longevity is often attributed to its diet, rich in fish and vegetables, alongside universal healthcare, strong social connections, and a culture that promotes active aging. Within the U.S., states with the lowest life expectancies are predominantly in the South, including West Virginia (72.2 years), Mississippi (72.6 years), and Kentucky (73.6 years), while the highest are found in the West and Northeast.
