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 2014, life expectancy was 76, up 3 years from 1980 but below the national figure of 79. This makes Arkansas 46th in the nation on this indicator. Life expectancy was higher for women in Arkansas than men at 79 vs. 74 years. Within the state, life expectancy ranged from 71 years in Phillips County to 79 years in Benton County.

In 2017, the latest year for which gender and race data is available, life expectancy was higher for women in Arkansas than men at 79 vs. 73 years. Life expectancy was higher for Whites than Black/African Americans, at 76 years vs. 73 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 nationwide comparative data on life expectancy is 2014. The most recent year for gender and race statistics on life expectancy is 2017, and data for races other than Black and White was not available.