United States life tables, 2009

Abstract

Objectives: This report presents complete period life tables for the United States by race, Hispanic origin, and sex based on age-specific death rates in 2009.

Methods: Data used to prepare the 2009 life tables are 2009 final mortality statistics; July 1, 2009, population estimates based on the 2000 decennial census; and 2009 Medicare data for persons aged 66-99. The methodology used to estimate the 2009 life tables is the same as that used for data year 2008, which was revised from that used for data years 2000-2007. The methodology used to estimate the life tables for the Hispanic population remains unchanged from that developed for the publication of life tables by Hispanic origin for data year 2006.

Results: In 2009, the overall expectation of life at birth was 78.5 years. Between 2008 and 2009, life expectancy at birth increased for all groups considered. Life expectancy increased for both males (from 75.6 to 76.0) and females (80.6 to 80.9) and for the white population (78.5 to 78.8), the black population (74.0 to 74.5), the Hispanic population (81.0 to 81.2), the non-Hispanic white population (78.4 to 78.7), and the non-Hispanic black population (73.7 to 74.2).