Global mortality in the 1920s
Based on global population estimates, roughly 525 million people died between 1920 and 1929. This figure is part of a larger demographic shift, where the world population grew from 1.87 to 2.05 billion during the decade, seeing roughly 700 million births alongside the 525 million deaths. This massive number reflects not only the scale of humanity but also the specific health challenges and catastrophic events that defined the era.
The lingering impact of the 1918 influenza pandemic
The first years of the 1920s felt the last waves of the most severe pandemic in recent history, the 1918 Spanish Flu. While the deadliest phase occurred in the prior decade, the virus continued to cause significant mortality in 1919 and into 1920. This pandemic infected one-third of the world’s population and is estimated to have caused at least 50 million deaths worldwide, with up to 100 million being a more recent estimate. The pandemic's long-term health consequences and the subsequent weakening of populations contributed to higher death tolls in the early part of the decade.
Significant natural disasters of the decade
In addition to disease, several major natural disasters caused substantial loss of life during the 1920s. These events added to the global death toll and demonstrated the vulnerability of large populations to catastrophic events.
- 1920 Haiyuan earthquake, China: Led to an estimated 258,707 to 273,407 deaths.
- 1922 Shantou typhoon, China: Caused between 50,000 and 100,000 deaths.
- 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, Japan: Resulted in 105,385 to 142,800 deaths.
- 1927 Gulang earthquake, China: Led to 40,912 deaths.
These individual events, along with famines such as the one in China from 1928–1930 which led to 6 million deaths, highlight that the overall mortality figures for the decade were shaped by many compounding factors.
Mortality in the United States
Focusing on the United States, we can examine mortality data from the period with more precision. The U.S. death registration area expanded in 1920, providing clearer statistics for a large portion of the population.
US mortality rates (1920s vs. today)
| Feature | Circa 1920 | Present Day (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Life Expectancy | ~53-55 years | ~78-79 years |
| Leading Causes | Pneumonia/Influenza, Tuberculosis, Heart Disease, Diarrhea | Heart Disease, Cancer, Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases, Accidents |
| Infant Mortality | High, over 75 deaths per 1,000 births | Significantly lower, under 6 deaths per 1,000 births |
Life expectancy in the United States
Life expectancy in the US saw a recovery and slow improvement during the 1920s following the drop caused by the 1918 pandemic. In 1920, life expectancy at birth was around 53.6 years for men and 54.6 for women. This contrasts sharply with current figures and reflects the higher prevalence of infectious diseases and limited medical interventions at the time.
Leading causes of death in the 1920s
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documented the top causes of death in 1920, a list very different from what we see today.
- Influenza/Pneumonia: These respiratory illnesses were the number one cause of death.
- Heart Disease: Ranked second, but its prevalence as a killer was already on the rise.
- Tuberculosis: A chronic infectious disease that was still a major threat.
- Stroke (Cerebrovascular diseases): The effects of stroke were a common cause of mortality.
- Kidney Disease (Nephritis): A significant cause of death before modern medicine.
- Cancer: While ranked lower than today, improved diagnosis was beginning to show its impact on mortality statistics.
- Accidents: Including industrial accidents and the rise of car accidents.
- Diarrhea and enteritis: Especially deadly for infants and young children.
Shifting public health and data collection
The 1920s were a pivotal period for public health. Advancements in sanitation and understanding of infectious diseases led to a gradual decrease in some mortality rates. The decade also saw improvements in the collection of mortality data by organizations like the U.S. Census Bureau and the expansion of the death registration area, leading to more accurate statistics over time.
Improving public health, infant and maternal mortality
Public health initiatives began making a difference, as shown by a steady decrease in infant mortality rates throughout the 1920s. In 1916, the infant death rate in the US birth-registration area was 101 per 1,000 live births, falling to 75.6 by 1923. This improvement, while significant, still left the rates far higher than modern standards, reflecting challenges like inadequate medical care and nutritional deficits. Declining maternal mortality, partly due to fewer women dying during childbirth, also contributed to overall life expectancy improvements for women.
Conclusion: A decade of dual realities
The 1920s present a stark picture of a world in transition. While technological and social changes promised a new age, the underlying health realities were still shaped by infectious diseases, limited medical knowledge, and the lingering scars of a global pandemic. The massive number of people who died in the 20s serves as a powerful reminder of how far public health and medicine have advanced in the last century. Examining the specific causes of death from this era, from influenza to heart disease, reveals the fundamental shifts in health threats faced by the global population. For more details on the historical causes of death, one can refer to the CDC Blog on Historical Causes.
What did people die of in the 1920s?
The leading causes of death included influenza/pneumonia, heart disease, tuberculosis, and stroke, reflecting a different health landscape compared to today. Diarrhea and enteritis were also major killers, particularly for infants.
Why was life expectancy so low in the 1920s?
Life expectancy was low due to high infant mortality rates and the prevalence of infectious diseases like tuberculosis, pneumonia, and influenza. The aftermath of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic also had a significant impact on average lifespan.
How many people died in the 1918-1920 influenza pandemic?
The Spanish Flu pandemic, which largely concluded in 1920, is estimated to have killed between 50 and 100 million people worldwide. The final phase of this event contributed substantially to the death toll in the early years of the decade.
What were the major natural disaster deaths in the 1920s?
Several major natural disasters caused high death counts, including the 1920 Haiyuan earthquake in China (over 258,000 deaths) and the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake in Japan (over 105,000 deaths).
Did the world population decrease in the 1920s?
No, despite the high death rate, the world population actually increased during the 1920s, growing from 1.87 billion to 2.05 billion. This shows that births significantly outnumbered deaths during this period.
How did infant mortality change during the 1920s?
The infant mortality rate saw a marked decrease in the US, with public health initiatives helping to lower the rate from 101 per 1,000 live births in 1916 to 75.6 in 1923. Despite improvements, the rate remained high by modern standards.
Was the US death rate higher in 1920 than 1919?
Yes, in the US death registration area, the death rate in 1920 was reported as 13.1 per thousand population, a slight increase from 12.9 in 1919. This was likely due to the tail-end of the Spanish Flu pandemic.
