Life Expectancy Declines By 3 Years in New York in 2020, And It Doesn't Stop There Due to Covid and its residual impact, New York state, as well as the rest of the country, saw dramatic declines in life expectancy in the first year of the pandemic.

By Madeline Garfinkle Edited by Jessica Thomas

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In the biggest drop since World War II, overall life expectancy in the U.S. dropped by 1.8 years, with the most dramatic decline in New York, with a drop of three years, according to a new National Vital Statistics report. The second biggest drop in life expectancy was in Washington, D.C., which saw a 2.7-year decline.

The report attributed the largest year-to-year drop in nearly 80 years to the pandemic and an increase in drug overdoses.

In 2019, New York state had the third-highest life expectancy. After the three-year drop in 2020, it's now the 15th in the ranking.

An additional study by the Center on Society and Health at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine found that, despite a steady decline in Covid deaths, life expectancy continued to drop in 2021, from 76.99 years in 2020 to 76.60 years in 2021.

The dramatic decline in life expectancy reflects the aftermath of the pandemic, which may take years to recover from.

Related: This Is How Much Americans' Savings Have Plummeted With Inflation, Pandemic: Report

As for states relatively unphased, Hawaii had the smallest decline — with life expectancy going from 80.9 years in 2019 to just 80.7 in 2020. The island state remains one of the best places for longevity in the U.S.

Madeline Garfinkle

News Writer

Madeline Garfinkle is a News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate from Syracuse University, and received an MFA from Columbia University. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Over 1,300 Google Employees Have Signed a New Petition Asking For Job Security

Google laid off thousands of employees in the past two years, which has left some employees feeling insecure about keeping their jobs.

Business News

'Nobody Ever Gave Me Anything': More Boomers Say They're Not Transferring Wealth to Family Until They're Dead

A new survey from Charles Schwab found boomers are more hesitant to distribute their wealth than other generations.

Business News

Your Old Apple AirPods Can Soon Act as an Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid, According to the FDA

The new software is compatible with the Apple AirPods Pro and accessible through iOS — for free and now FDA-authorized.

Side Hustle

This 29-Year-Old Quit Working 12-Hour Overnight Shifts Because Her Side Hustle Brings In Up to $8,000 a Month: 'It Makes Me Happy'

Breanna Meertins picked up a fun hobby in her free time — then learned about an opportunity that would change everything.

Growing a Business

Entrepreneurs Should Invest in Service, Not Just Sales — Here's How to Build a Customer-First Business

A customer-first business strategy that prioritizes exceptional service, empowers employees and leverages feedback can transform satisfied customers into loyal advocates, driving sustainable, long-term growth.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.