In the United States in 2021, the death rate was highest among those aged 85 and over, with about 17,190.5 men and 14,914.5 women per 100,000 of the population passing away. For all ages, the death rate was at 1,118.2 per 100,000 of the population for males, and 970.8 per 100,000 of the population for women.
The death rate
Death rates generally are counted as the number of deaths per 1,000 or 100,000 of the population and include both deaths of natural and unnatural causes. The death rate in the United States had pretty much held steady since 1990 until it started to increase over the last decade, with the highest death rates recorded in recent years. While the birth rate in the United States has been decreasing, it is still currently higher than the death rate.
Causes of death
There are a myriad number of causes of death in the United States, but the most recent data shows the top three leading causes of death to be heart disease, cancers, and accidents. Heart disease was also the leading cause of death worldwide.
Death rate in the United States in 2021, by age and gender
(per 100,000 of population)
Death rate covers the number of deaths per 100,000 of population.
* Figures for age not stated are included in "All ages" but are not distributed among age group.
** Death rates for "Under 1 year" (based on population estimates) differ from infant mortality rates (based on live births).
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CDC (National Vital Statistics System). (October 4, 2024). Death rate in the United States in 2021, by age and gender (per 100,000 of population) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/241572/death-rate-by-age-and-sex-in-the-us/
CDC (National Vital Statistics System). "Death rate in the United States in 2021, by age and gender (per 100,000 of population)." Chart. October 4, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/241572/death-rate-by-age-and-sex-in-the-us/
CDC (National Vital Statistics System). (2024). Death rate in the United States in 2021, by age and gender (per 100,000 of population). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/241572/death-rate-by-age-and-sex-in-the-us/
CDC (National Vital Statistics System). "Death Rate in The United States in 2021, by Age and Gender (per 100,000 of Population)." Statista, Statista Inc., 4 Oct 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/241572/death-rate-by-age-and-sex-in-the-us/
CDC (National Vital Statistics System), Death rate in the United States in 2021, by age and gender (per 100,000 of population) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/241572/death-rate-by-age-and-sex-in-the-us/ (last visited November 22, 2024)
Death rate in the United States in 2021, by age and gender (per 100,000 of population) [Graph], CDC (National Vital Statistics System), October 4, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/241572/death-rate-by-age-and-sex-in-the-us/
