Drug use disorder death rate in United States of America
United States of America: Drug use disorder death rate was 31.75 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Drug use disorder death rate in United States of America, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100,000 people.
Analysis
In 2021, drug use disorder death rate in United States of America stood at 31.75 deaths per 100,000 people. That is the highest value across all 22 years on record.
That represents a change of up 16.3% on the previous year and up 177.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drug use disorder death rate in United States of America peaked at 31.75 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021 and was at its lowest, 5.03 deaths per 100,000 people, in 2000.
That places United States of America 1st out of 194 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Drug use disorder death rate in United States of America, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5.03 deaths per 100,000 people | — |
| 2001 | 5.46 deaths per 100,000 people | +8.5% |
| 2002 | 6.62 deaths per 100,000 people | +21.2% |
| 2003 | 7.31 deaths per 100,000 people | +10.4% |
| 2004 | 7.8 deaths per 100,000 people | +6.7% |
| 2005 | 8.73 deaths per 100,000 people | +11.9% |
| 2006 | 10 deaths per 100,000 people | +14.5% |
| 2007 | 10.02 deaths per 100,000 people | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 10.09 deaths per 100,000 people | +0.7% |
| 2009 | 10.22 deaths per 100,000 people | +1.3% |
| 2010 | 10.46 deaths per 100,000 people | +2.3% |
| 2011 | 11.43 deaths per 100,000 people | +9.3% |
| 2012 | 11.41 deaths per 100,000 people | -0.2% |
| 2013 | 12.15 deaths per 100,000 people | +6.5% |
| 2014 | 13.08 deaths per 100,000 people | +7.7% |
| 2015 | 14.82 deaths per 100,000 people | +13.3% |
| 2016 | 18.21 deaths per 100,000 people | +22.9% |
| 2017 | 20.09 deaths per 100,000 people | +10.3% |
| 2018 | 19.2 deaths per 100,000 people | -4.4% |
| 2019 | 20.25 deaths per 100,000 people | +5.5% |
| 2020 | 27.31 deaths per 100,000 people | +34.9% |
| 2021 | 31.75 deaths per 100,000 people | +16.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.13 deaths per 100,000 people | 5.03 deaths per 100,000 people | 10.22 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 15.11 deaths per 100,000 people | 10.46 deaths per 100,000 people | 20.25 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 29.53 deaths per 100,000 people | 27.31 deaths per 100,000 people | 31.75 deaths per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near United States of America
More health data for United States of America
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.67 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate -0.1867 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 1,069 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 4,015 deaths (2100)
- Population ages 65-69, male, annual growth rate 1.9 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 65-69, male, per capita 0.028 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, annual growth rate 3.06 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 70-74, female, per capita 0.0251 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is drug use disorder death rate in United States of America?
- Drug use disorder death rate in United States of America was 31.75 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest drug use disorder death rate recorded in United States of America?
- The highest recorded value was 31.75 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021.
- What is the lowest drug use disorder death rate recorded in United States of America?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.03 deaths per 100,000 people in 2000.
- How does United States of America rank for drug use disorder death rate?
- United States of America ranks 1st out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is drug use disorder death rate rising or falling in United States of America?
- Over the last ten years it is up 177.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States of America data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Drug use disorder death rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of deaths from drug use disorders in both sexes, per 100,000 people.