A baby girl born in the United States in 2004 could expect to live 80.4 years, 5.2 years longer than her male counterpart, whose life expectancy would be 75.2 years. The life expectancy at birth for White females was 80.8 years; for Black females, the life expectancy at birth was 76.3 years. The differential between male and female life expectancy was greater among Blacks than Whites; Black males could expect to live 69.5 years, 6.8 years fewer than Black females, while the difference between White males and females was 5.1 years. The lower life expectancy among Blacks may be partly accounted for by higher infant mortality rates.

Life expectancy has steadily increased since 1970 for males and females in both racial groups. Between 1970 and 2004, White males’ life expectancy increased from 68.0 to 75.7 years (11.3 percent), while White females’ life expectancy increased from 75.6 to 80.8 years (6.9 percent). Black males’ life expectancy increased from 60.0 to 69.5 years (15.8 percent) during the same period, while Black females’ life expectancy increased from 68.3 to 76.3 years (11.7 percent).

Life expectancy data have not been reported for American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islanders, Hispanics alone, and persons of more than one race.

> Line Chart: Life Expectancy at Birth, by Race and Sex, 1970-2004