The average lifespan of a man in the United States is 76.5 years, based on 2024 data from the CDC. That number rose 0.7 years from 2023, continuing a rebound after the dip caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across wealthier nations tracked by the OECD, the average sits slightly higher at 78.5 years. But these numbers vary dramatically depending on where a man lives, and they represent a remarkable increase compared to just a few generations ago.
How Male Life Expectancy Varies by Country
Geography is one of the strongest predictors of how long a man will live. At the top of the scale, men in Monaco have the highest life expectancy at 84.6 years, followed by San Marino at 84.3 and Hong Kong at 83.0. Japan (81.8), Australia (82.3), and South Korea (81.3) also rank among the highest. In these countries, a combination of healthcare access, diet, and lower rates of violence and infectious disease pushes male lifespan well into the 80s.
At the other end, men in parts of sub-Saharan Africa face drastically shorter lives. Nigeria’s average male life expectancy is just 54.6 years, Chad’s is 55.2, and the Central African Republic’s is 57.7. These gaps of nearly 30 years between the longest- and shortest-lived populations reflect differences in healthcare infrastructure, nutrition, infectious disease burden, and economic stability.
The Gender Gap in Lifespan
Men consistently die younger than women. In the U.S., the gap in 2024 was 4.9 years, with women living to an average of 81.4. That gap has actually narrowed slightly, down 0.4 years from 2023. Across OECD countries, the difference is about 5.2 years. This isn’t just a cultural pattern. It has deep biological roots.
One factor is chromosomal. Men carry one X and one Y chromosome, while women carry two X chromosomes. The Y chromosome develops mutations more frequently, and because men lack a backup X chromosome, genetic abnormalities on the X chromosome can’t be compensated for the way they can in women. This makes men more vulnerable to certain inherited conditions from birth.
Estrogen also plays a protective role. Women’s higher estrogen levels appear to guard against heart disease, particularly before menopause. Since heart disease is the leading killer of men, this hormonal difference contributes meaningfully to the gap. Men also tend to be physically larger than women, and across many species, larger body size correlates with shorter lifespan. The exact magnitude of this effect in humans isn’t settled, but it likely works against male longevity.
Testosterone’s Complex Role
Testosterone levels in men decline by about 2% per year as they age. Low testosterone is linked to a cluster of health problems: increased inflammation, insulin resistance, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and the buildup of arterial plaque. Population studies consistently show that men with low testosterone face higher cardiovascular risk.
But the relationship isn’t as simple as “more testosterone equals better health.” Genetic studies suggest that naturally higher testosterone levels are associated with an increased risk of heart failure. And testosterone replacement therapy, while it can address symptoms of clinical hormone deficiency, hasn’t been shown to reduce cardiovascular events. In fact, some trials found signs of plaque progression and excess cardiovascular events in men receiving testosterone supplementation. The FDA issued a warning in 2014 advising against using testosterone therapy purely for age-related decline, recommending it only for men with a diagnosed deficiency causing symptoms.
How Male Lifespan Has Changed Over Time
The gains over the past 80 years have been enormous. In 1940, a man born in the U.S. could expect to live just 61.4 years. By 1950, that had risen to 65.6. Progress was slow through the 1960s, with life expectancy essentially stalling in the mid-to-high 66 range for nearly two decades. The turning point came in the mid-1970s: male life expectancy crossed 68 in 1974, hit 70 in 1979, and reached 73.8 by 2001.
The trajectory from 2001 to the present added another 2 to 3 years, bringing the figure to today’s 76.5. Most of these gains came from reductions in heart disease deaths (thanks to better medications and fewer smokers), improved trauma care, and advances in treating cancers. The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily reversed the trend, but the 2024 numbers suggest the upward climb has resumed.
Life Expectancy After 65
If you’re a man who has already reached 65, your outlook is better than the headline number suggests. The average life expectancy figure of 76.5 includes every man who dies young from accidents, violence, or early-onset disease. Once you’ve made it to 65, those risks are behind you.
According to Social Security Administration data, a 65-year-old man can expect to live an additional 17.5 years on average, putting him at roughly 82.5. CDC data from 2024 is slightly more optimistic, showing 18.4 remaining years for a 65-year-old man. This conditional life expectancy is the more useful number for anyone doing retirement planning or thinking about long-term health decisions.
Screenings That Affect Male Longevity
Several of the conditions that shorten men’s lives most are detectable early, when treatment is far more effective. Blood pressure should be checked at least once a year starting in adulthood, since high blood pressure is a major driver of heart attack and stroke, often with no symptoms until damage is done.
Colorectal cancer screening is recommended starting at age 45. Options include a colonoscopy every 10 years, an annual stool test, or a stool DNA test every one to three years. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men, and catching it early changes the survival picture dramatically.
Prostate cancer screening is more nuanced. For men aged 55 to 69, the PSA blood test is available but comes with trade-offs: it can detect cancers that would never cause harm, leading to unnecessary treatment. This is a decision worth discussing with a doctor based on your individual risk factors and preferences rather than following a blanket recommendation.