Drug use disorder deaths in United States
United States: Drug use disorder deaths was 106,981 deaths in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Drug use disorder deaths in United States, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
United States recorded 106,981 deaths for drug use disorder deaths in 2021. That is the highest value across all 22 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 16.6% on the previous year and up 198.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, drug use disorder deaths in United States peaked at 106,981 deaths in 2021 and was at its lowest, 14,203 deaths, in 2000.
United States ranks 1st of 194 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Drug use disorder deaths in United States, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 14,203 deaths | — |
| 2001 | 15,583 deaths | +9.7% |
| 2002 | 19,101 deaths | +22.6% |
| 2003 | 21,294 deaths | +11.5% |
| 2004 | 22,929 deaths | +7.7% |
| 2005 | 25,912 deaths | +13.0% |
| 2006 | 29,969 deaths | +15.7% |
| 2007 | 30,340 deaths | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 30,856 deaths | +1.7% |
| 2009 | 31,541 deaths | +2.2% |
| 2010 | 32,564 deaths | +3.2% |
| 2011 | 35,874 deaths | +10.2% |
| 2012 | 36,146 deaths | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 38,797 deaths | +7.3% |
| 2014 | 42,125 deaths | +8.6% |
| 2015 | 48,100 deaths | +14.2% |
| 2016 | 59,572 deaths | +23.9% |
| 2017 | 66,260 deaths | +11.2% |
| 2018 | 63,777 deaths | -3.7% |
| 2019 | 67,690 deaths | +6.1% |
| 2020 | 91,741 deaths | +35.5% |
| 2021 | 106,981 deaths | +16.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 24,173 deaths | 14,203 deaths | 31,541 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 49,090 deaths | 32,564 deaths | 67,690 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 99,361 deaths | 91,741 deaths | 106,981 deaths | 2 |
Countries ranked near United States
More health data for United States
- 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 80 and above, female, per capita 0.0248 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, annual growth rate 4.33 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 80 and above, male, per capita 0.0172 units per person (2025)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, gaps filled 3,044 (2023)
- Pertussis - number of reported cases, per capita 0 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is drug use disorder deaths in United States?
- Drug use disorder deaths in United States was 106,981 deaths in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest drug use disorder deaths recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 106,981 deaths in 2021.
- What is the lowest drug use disorder deaths recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 14,203 deaths in 2000.
- How does United States rank for drug use disorder deaths?
- United States ranks 1st out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is drug use disorder deaths rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 198.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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 deaths. 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.