U.S. Records Lowest-ever Death Rate in 2025

New CDC Data Highlights Declining U.S. Mortality Rate

In 2025, the U.S. recorded its lowest-ever death rate, attributed to widespread declines in mortality across all age groups. Despite heart disease and cancer remaining the top causes of death, new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a 4.6 percent drop in the nation’s age-adjusted death rate, reaching 689.2 deaths per 100,000 people. This is the lowest since federal records began over a century ago.

The total number of deaths saw a slight increase to 3.09 million, influenced by a growing and aging population. However, the overall risk of dying for Americans has decreased compared to previous years.

Contributing Factors to the Decline

A major factor in the record-low death rate is the reduction in fatal drug overdoses. Preliminary CDC data indicates about 70,000 overdose deaths in 2025, a significant decrease from the over 100,000 recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend may reflect the benefits of public health initiatives and changes in the illicit drug market.

The CDC credits factors such as the increased distribution of naloxone, improved access to treatment for substance use disorders, investment in overdose prevention programs, and adjustments in the illegal drug supply. Overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl fell to 38,100 in 2025, down from 48,900 in 2024. Methamphetamine and cocaine-related fatalities also decreased.

Another significant contributor was the continued decline in COVID-19 deaths. The virus no longer ranks among the leading causes of death, helping to lower the overall mortality rate.

Detailed Insights from the CDC Report

The CDC’s provisional report highlights that the mortality decline occurred broadly, with age-adjusted rates falling across all age groups for both men and women between 2024 and 2025. Men’s death rate was higher than women’s, at 811.1 versus 582.9 deaths per 100,000 people.

Racial and ethnic disparities were also noted. Black Americans had the highest age-adjusted death rate in 2025, at 869.0 per 100,000 people. The lowest rate was among multiracial non-Hispanic individuals, at 187.3 per 100,000. Several groups saw declines since 2024, although rates increased for American Indian and Alaska Native people and Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander people. Rates remained stable for Asian Americans.

Despite the overall mortality improvement, heart disease led with 694,708 deaths in 2025. Cancer followed with 622,832 deaths, and unintentional injuries, including overdoses, accounted for 184,265 deaths. Notably, influenza and pneumonia rose from the 11th to the eighth leading cause of death, while suicide dropped from 10th to 11th.

For inquiries, contact Newsweek editors Matthew Robinson and Shakeema Edwards.