Definition

Average remaining number of years that a person 65 years of age would be expected to live if current death rates were to remain constant

Numerator

Not applicable. For information on life expectancy calculation, please see [https://www-doh.state.nj.us/doh-shad/query/LifeExp.html Life Expectancy].

Denominator

See numerator note.

Why Is This Important?

Life expectancy is a summary mortality measure often used to describe the overall health status of a population.

How Are We Doing?

Life expectancy at age 65 was slowly increasing, other than a small decline in 2017-2018, however the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 resulted in a sharp decline. As of 2020, the average remaining life expectancy at age 65 among New Jersey residents was 18.5 years (or to age 83.5). Life expectancy at 65 among females (19.8 years or age 84.8) is 2.8 years greater than among males (17.0 years or age 82). For life expectancy at birth, the gap was 5.9 years in 2020. Among New Jersey residents in 2020, life expectancy at age 65 was highest among Asians (23.9 years remaining or age 88.9), followed by Hispanics (19.5 years or age 84.5), Whites (18.6 years or age 83.6), and Blacks (16.2 years of age 81.2). In comparison, life expectancy at birth was 86.1 years among Asians, 78.4 among Hispanics and Whites, and 72.2 among Blacks. By county, 2020 estimates ranged from 16.4 years (age 81.4) in Cumberland to 21.0 years (age 86) in Hunterdon.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Life expectancy at age 65 among New Jersey residents was the same as that of the nation as a whole in 2020.[https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db427.htm ^1^]