What was life expectancy in 1789?
Life expectancy in 1789 was significantly influenced by factors such as age at survival, with high infant and child mortality rates playing a crucial role in overall lifespan averages.
Understanding Lifespan in 1789
While a precise average life expectancy at birth for the entire population in 1789 is not explicitly stated as a single number, historical data from the period provides clear insights into the varying prospects of individuals depending on their survival through early childhood:
- Conditional Life Expectancy for Adults: For men who successfully navigated the perilous early years and reached their 50th birthday, the outlook for continued life improved considerably. A man who made it to age 50 in 1789 could expect to live an additional 21 years, potentially reaching an age of 71 years. This demonstrates that if individuals survived the high risks of infancy and childhood, they had a reasonable chance of living into their later years.
- Impact of Infant and Child Mortality: Despite the potential for longevity in adulthood, high rates of infant and child mortality severely lowered the overall average life expectancy at birth. For a boy born in 1789, the likelihood of living to 57 years—which was George Washington's age at the time of his inauguration—was significantly reduced due to these early life risks. This indicates that while some individuals lived long lives, many did not survive past childhood, pulling down the population's average life expectancy.
This dual perspective highlights the complex nature of life expectancy in the late 18th century, where surviving early life was a major determinant of one's overall lifespan.
