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 2019, the latest year for which nationwide comparative data is available, life expectancy in Arkansas was 76.2, up 1 year from 2000 but below the national average of 78.8. This makes Arkansas 44th in the nation on this indicator. In 2016, the latest year for which comparative county data is available, life expectancy ranged from 71 years in Monroe County to 80 years in Benton County.

In 2019, the latest year for which gender and race data is available, life expectancy was higher for women in Arkansas than men at 79 vs. 74 years. Life expectancy was higher for Whites than Black/African Americans, at 76 years vs. 74 years.

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 county-level data on life expectancy is 2016. The most recent year for nationwide comparative data on life expectancy is 2019. The most recent year for gender and race statistics on life expectancy is 2019, and data for races other than Black and White was not available.