For years, Americans lived about as long as people in other wealthy countries. But that’s no longer the case. A new 2025 report from Peterson-KFF reveals a troubling trend: life expectancy in the United States is falling behind, and rapidly.
From chronic health conditions to unequal access to care, several factors are contributing to this shift. In a recent infographic, Visual Capitalist’s Marcus Lu examines how America compares to other developed nations—and where it is falling short.
The comparison includes 11 high-income countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK.
More Spending, Shorter Lives
Despite spending far more on healthcare, the U.S. has the lowest life expectancy among its wealthy peers.
In 2023, Americans spent an average of $13,432 per person on healthcare, almost double the $7,393 average across the other 11 countries.
This gap highlights a significant issue: higher spending is not translating into improved health outcomes. Systemic problems like inefficient care, healthcare disparities, and limited access are holding the U.S. back.
Chronic Diseases Are a Major Roadblock
Chronic illnesses are one of the biggest reasons Americans are living shorter lives. Conditions like kidney disease are especially concerning.
In 2021, kidney disease caused 41 deaths per 100,000 people in the U.S., compared to just 28 deaths per 100,000 in similar countries.
With chronic conditions on the rise, improving access to preventive care and addressing lifestyle factors is more important than ever.
The Bottom Line
America’s healthcare system is facing some tough truths. More money isn’t leading to better health, and the country is falling behind in terms of life expectancy. Tackling chronic diseases, closing care gaps, and focusing on prevention could help shift the trend in a healthier direction.
