20th century/Death rates

Death rates plummeted in the United States in the 20th century. Elsewhere, an estimated 7.3% of the human population was murdered by governments, which offset many of the gains made by advances in nutrition, environment, and medical care.

In 1900 around 17 Americans per 1000 died in any given year. At the close of the century the number was around 9 per thousand.

Age-adjusted death rates fell even more dramtically. Children in 1999 were 10 times less likely to die than children in 1900. For adults 24-65, death rates have been halved. The death rate for Americans aged 65 to 74 fell from nearly 7% per year to fewer than 2% per year.