Life expectancy at birth is a frequently used indicator of health status and is often used to gauge the health of a community. Differences in life expectancy among racial and ethnic groups may reflect differences in socioeconomic status, access to health care, and the prevalence of risk factors particular to a subpopulation.

In 2020, the latest year for which nationwide comparative data is available, life expectancy in Arkansas was 74 years, down nearly 2 years from 2019 and below the national figure of 77. This makes Arkansas 43rd in the nation on this indicator.

Life expectancy was highest for Hispanics and Latinos in 2020, at 89 years followed by Asians at 84. Black/African Americans had the lowest life expectancy at 72. In 2019, the latest year for which gender data is available, life expectancy was higher for women in Arkansas than men at 79 vs. 74 years.

Among Arkansas counties, life expectancy in 2020 ranged from 68 years in Phillips and Mississippi Counties to 79 years in Benton County.

The rates are calculated with the assumption that age-specific mortality rates stay the same throughout the lifespan of each age cohort. The most recent year for nationwide comparative data, county-level comparative data, and race statistics on life expectancy is 2020. The most recent year for gender statistics on life expectancy is 2019.