"Deaths of despair" is a term coined by economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton to describe deaths from suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related liver diseases, which reflect underlying social and economic distress. Below, I provide data on U.S. men’s rates of deaths of despair (suicide, drug overdoses, and alcohol-related liver disease) by generation, focusing on 2021–2023, mapped to generational cohorts based on age groups. Since direct generational data is unavailable, I use age-specific rates from the CDC and other sources, aligning them with generational age ranges as of May 10, 2025. I also incorporate trends and context specific to deaths of despair, addressing suicides and the broader category.
Generational Age Ranges (Approximate, as of 2025)
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Silent Generation (born 1928–1945): Ages 80–97
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Baby Boomers (born 1946–1964): Ages 61–79
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Generation X (born 1965–1980): Ages 45–60
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Millennials (born 1981–1996): Ages 29–44
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Generation Z (born 1997–2012): Ages 13–28
Data on Deaths of Despair for U.S. Men by Age Group (2021–2023)
Data primarily comes from CDC’s National Vital Statistics System (2021–2023), with 2021 offering the most detailed final data and 2022–2023 providing provisional estimates. Deaths of despair include:
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Suicide: Identified via ICD-10 codes U03, X60–X84, Y87.0.
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Drug Overdose: Includes unintentional overdoses (X40–X44) and drug-related mental health disorders, excluding suicides.
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Alcohol-Related Liver Disease: Includes alcoholic liver disease (K70) and other alcohol-attributed deaths (e.g., alcohol poisoning, G31.2, I42.6), focusing on liver-related causes.
Rates are per 100,000 population, age-adjusted where possible, and mapped to generational cohorts. Since generational breakdowns are not directly reported, I use age-specific rates from 2021 (most comprehensive) and note trends for 2022–2023 where available.
Suicide Rates (Men, 2021, per 100,000)
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Ages 10–14 (Gen Z): 2.8
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Ages 15–24 (Gen Z): 23.8
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Ages 25–44 (Millennials, some Gen Z): 30.0
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Ages 45–64 (Gen X, some Baby Boomers): 27.1
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Ages 65–74 (Baby Boomers): 26.1
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Ages 75+ (Silent Generation, some Baby Boomers): 42.2 (55.7 for 85+)
Drug Overdose Rates (Men, 2021, per 100,000)
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Ages 10–14 (Gen Z): ~1.0 (low due to limited exposure; exact data sparse for this group).
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Ages 15–24 (Gen Z): 24.9 (CDC WONDER, 2021, males).
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Ages 25–44 (Millennials): 62.0 (highest risk group, driven by fentanyl and opioids).
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Ages 45–64 (Gen X, some Boomers): 46.8.
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Ages 65–74 (Baby Boomers): 13.2.
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Ages 75+ (Silent Generation): ~4.0 (low, reflecting lower substance use; exact data limited).
Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Rates (Men, 2021, per 100,000)
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Ages 10–14 (Gen Z): Negligible (~0, rare in adolescents).
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Ages 15–24 (Gen Z): ~1.0 (low, as chronic liver disease takes years to develop).
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Ages 25–44 (Millennials): 10.7 (rising due to increased binge drinking).
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Ages 45–64 (Gen X, some Boomers): 28.8 (peak group, reflecting long-term alcohol use).
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Ages 65–74 (Baby Boomers): 20.4.
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Ages 75+ (Silent Generation): ~8.0 (declines due to survivorship bias and reduced drinking).
Combined Deaths of Despair Rates (Estimated, Men, 2021, per 100,000)
Summing the above (approximate, as some overlap exists, e.g., suicides involving drugs):
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Ages 10–14 (Gen Z): ~3.8 (suicide: 2.8, overdose: 1.0, liver: 0).
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Ages 15–24 (Gen Z): ~49.7 (suicide: 23.8, overdose: 24.9, liver: 1.0).
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Ages 25–44 (Millennials): ~102.7 (suicide: 30.0, overdose: 62.0, liver: 10.7).
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Ages 45–64 (Gen X, some Boomers): ~102.7 (suicide: 27.1, overdose: 46.8, liver: 28.8).
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Ages 65–74 (Baby Boomers): ~59.7 (suicide: 26.1, overdose: 13.2, liver: 20.4).
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Ages 75+ (Silent Generation): ~54.2 (suicide: 42.2, overdose: 4.0, liver: 8.0).
Mapping to Generations (2021, Estimated Rates for Men, per 100,000)
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Silent Generation (Ages 80–97, aligns with 75+): ~54.2
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Suicide: 42.2 (highest due to firearms, loneliness, health declines).
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Overdose: ~4.0 (low, less substance use).
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Liver Disease: ~8.0 (declines as heavy drinkers die earlier).
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Notes: High suicide rates dominate, with men 85+ at 55.7 for suicide alone.
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Baby Boomers (Ages 61–79, spans 65–74, part of 45–64/75+): ~59.7–70
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Suicide: 26.1–42.2 (26.6 for 55–64, 26.1 for 65–74).
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Overdose: 13.2–20 (higher in younger Boomers, 55–64).
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Liver Disease: 20.4–25 (peaks in 55–64 at ~25).
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Notes: Boomers face high rates across all causes, with overdoses and liver disease reflecting cohort effects from economic回了
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Mapping to Generations (2021, Estimated Rates for Men, per 100,000) (Continued)
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Baby Boomers (Ages 61–79, spans 65–74, part of 45–64/75+): ~59.7–102.7
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Suicide: 26.1–42.2 (26.6 for 55–64, 26.1 for 65–74, higher in older subgroups).
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Overdose: 13.2–46.8 (peaks in 45–64 at 46.8, declines with age).
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Liver Disease: 20.4–28.8 (peaks in 45–64 at 28.8).
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Notes: Boomers face high rates across all causes, with overdoses and liver disease reflecting cohort effects from economic stressors and substance use patterns. The 45–64 age group (younger Boomers and older Gen X) has the highest combined rate due to overdose and liver disease peaks.
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Generation X (Ages 45–60, part of 45–64): ~102.7
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Suicide: 27.1.
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Overdose: 46.8.
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Liver Disease: 28.8.
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Notes: Gen X shows elevated rates, particularly from overdoses, driven by the opioid epidemic (e.g., fentanyl). Suicide rates are slightly lower than Millennials but still significant. Economic instability and midlife stressors contribute.
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Millennials (Ages 29–44, part of 25–44): ~102.7
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Suicide: 30.0.
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Overdose: 62.0.
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Liver Disease: 10.7.
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Notes: Millennials have the highest overdose rates, fueled by synthetic opioids. Suicide rates are high, potentially linked to economic pressures (e.g., student debt) and mental health challenges. Liver disease is lower but rising due to binge drinking trends.
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Generation Z (Ages 13–28, spans 10–14 and 15–24): ~3.8–49.7
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Suicide: 2.8 (10–14), 23.8 (15–24).
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Overdose: 1.0 (10–14), 24.9 (15–24).
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Liver Disease: ~0 (10–14), ~1.0 (15–24).
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Notes: Gen Z’s rates rise sharply with age, with 15–24 showing significant suicide and overdose risks, possibly linked to social media, mental health crises, and drug availability. Liver disease is minimal due to younger age.
Trends and Context (2021–2023)
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Overall Deaths of Despair (Men): In 2021, the combined age-adjusted rate for men was approximately 80–100 per 100,000, with overdoses contributing the largest share (e.g., 62.0 in 25–44), followed by suicides (~22.8 overall) and liver disease (~15–20). In 2022, total deaths of despair reached ~209,225 (including women), with men accounting for ~75–80% of deaths. Provisional 2023 data estimates over 50,000 suicides and ~110,000 overdoses, suggesting continued increases, particularly in overdoses.
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Suicide Trends: Male suicide rates rose from 22.8 in 2021 to ~23.0 in 2022, stabilizing in 2023 (~14.7 overall, ~23 for men). Firearms dominate (55–59.9% of male suicides), especially among older men (e.g., 75+).
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Drug Overdose Trends: Overdose rates surged due to fentanyl, with 2021–2023 showing peak rates in 25–44 (Millennials). Men’s rates are roughly twice women’s, with 2022 provisional data indicating ~81,000 overdose deaths (men ~60,000). Rural areas and Native American men face disproportionate risks.
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Alcohol-Related Liver Disease Trends: Rates peak in 45–64 (Gen X/Boomers), reflecting decades of heavy drinking. Men’s rates are 2–3 times women’s, with 2021 data showing ~13,000 male deaths. Increases in 25–44 suggest rising alcohol misuse among Millennials.
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Generational Insights:
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Silent Generation: High suicide rates (42.2–55.7) drive deaths of despair, with lower overdose and liver disease rates due to age-related declines in substance use. Loneliness, health issues, and firearm access are key factors.
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Baby Boomers: High across all causes, with 45–64 showing peak combined rates (~102.7). Cohort effects (e.g., Vietnam War, economic shifts) and aging-related stressors contribute.
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Generation X: Similar to Boomers, with overdoses (46.8) and liver disease (28.8) peaking. Midlife crises, job instability, and opioid access are drivers.
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Millennials: Highest overdose rates (62.0), with high suicides (30.0). Economic precarity, mental health stigma, and fentanyl exposure are major factors.
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Generation Z: Rising suicides (23.8 in 15–24) and overdoses (24.9), with minimal liver disease. Social media, bullying, and drug availability (e.g., fentanyl via social platforms) are hypothesized contributors.
Limitations
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Data Gaps: No direct generational data; rates are inferred from age groups, introducing approximation errors, especially for overlapping generations (e.g., Boomers in 45–64 and 75+).
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Provisional Data: 2022–2023 data is provisional, potentially underreporting deaths due to classification delays (e.g., overdose vs. suicide).
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Overlap: Some deaths (e.g., drug-related suicides) may be double-counted, though efforts were made to use non-suicide overdose data.
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Cohort Effects: Economic crises (e.g., 2008 recession), opioid epidemic, and cultural shifts complicate generational trends. Long-term studies are needed.
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Underreporting: Stigma and misclassification (e.g., suicides as accidents) may underestimate rates, particularly for men.
Sources
- CDC National Vital Statistics System (2021–2023).
- KFF analysis of CDC WONDER data (2021–2022).
- American University (Gen Z trends).
- National Institute of Mental Health (2023).
- World Socialist Web Site (2023, deaths of despair context).
- United States Joint Economic Committee (2019, long-term trends).
- AP News (2024, 2023 provisional data).
If you need further breakdown (e.g., by state, race, or specific cause), or a deeper analysis of any generation, please let me know!
