GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Life Insurance Industry Statistics [Fresh Research]

Highlights: Life Insurance Industry Statistics

  • In 2020, the life insurance industry in the United States held about 6.14 trillion USD in assets.
  • As of 2019, there were approximately 773 life insurance companies in the United States alone.
  • The average annual expenditure on life insurance per consumer unit in the United States was $279 in 2019.
  • Prudential Financial was the largest life insurance company in the U.S. in 2020, with total assets amounting to 616.25 billion USD.
  • About 54% of Americans have some type of life insurance.
  • In 2020, the penetration rate of life insurance in the United States was 3.2%.
  • In 2018, life insurance companies in the US received approximately 157.54 billion USD in premiums.
  • By 2025, the global life insurance market is expected to reach $716.8 billion USD.
  • The U.S. represents the largest life insurance market worldwide, accounting for approximately 20% of the total market share in 2019.
  • The average age for buying a first life insurance in the U.S. is late 30s.
  • Roughly 66% of people prefer purchasing life insurance policy online as per 2021 data.
  • About 41% of all life insurance purchases in 2021 have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Worldwide insurance premiums for life insurance reached around 2.92 trillion U.S. dollars in 2019.

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In a world awash with unpredictability and risk, the role of life insurance in safeguarding our financial security has never been more vital. This granularity of this multi-billion dollar industry is precisely mirrored in its wide array of fascinating statistics. In this blog post, we delve deep into the life insurance industry, illuminating the patterns, trends and insights gained from the latest industry data.

From policy ownership rates to various marketing strategies, our analysis will help illuminate the complexities of the world of life insurance, offering a compelling narrative not only for insurance professionals but also for anyone striving to understand the financial implications of ensuring a safe and secure future.

The Latest Life Insurance Industry Statistics Unveiled

In 2020, the life insurance industry in the United States held about 6.14 trillion USD in assets.

Highlighting this gargantuan figure of 6.14 trillion USD in assets held by the US life insurance industry in 2020 underpins the scale and the robustness of this sector. As readers traverse through the statistical voyage of this blog post, they grasp the industry’s significant financial stature, which in turn validates the crucial role that life insurance plays in the present-day economy. An industry with such profound financial grounding is likely to harbour immense potential for growth, innovation, and risk absorption, reflecting a structurally intertwined fabric of policies, which secure lives whilst contributing actively to the economic wheel.

For consumers, firms, and investors, this statistic serves as a testament to industry health, hinting at its ability to fulfill its long-term obligations and withstand economic downturns. For policymakers, it helps to shape an informed narrative around regulatory and governance frameworks that effectively oversee such a gigantic pool of resources.

As of 2019, there were approximately 773 life insurance companies in the United States alone.

Examining the substantial count of roughly 773 life insurance companies operating in the United States in 2019 carves a vivid tapestry of the robustness and vibrancy of the life insurance industry. It suggests an ultra-competitive marketplace teeming with choices for consumers, which can potentially drive better package deals, more innovation, and a relentless pursuit of customer service excellence.

Furthermore, it highlights the fundamental role that life insurance plays in financial planning and the enduring trust that Americans place in this instrument to safeguard their future financial needs, underscored by remarkable industry expansion. Such insightful data creates a dynamic lens through which one can forecast industry trends, understand market dynamics and delve into the potential growth prospects for life insurance in the years to come.

The average annual expenditure on life insurance per consumer unit in the United States was $279 in 2019.

As we plunge into the depths of life insurance industry data, the nugget of knowledge that the 2019 average annual expenditure on life insurance per consumer unit in the United States stood at $279, prompts us to pause and ponder. This figure acts as a mirror, reflecting both individual consumer behavior and industry trends related to life insurance.

From a consumer perspective, the expenditure data acts like a financial fingerprint, indicative of the relative importance they place on securing their dependents’ financial future. This figure gives readers a benchmark figure to compare their own insurance spending.

From an industry standpoint, this number whispers critical truths. It offers insights into consumer demand, industry profitability, and the level of competition. An increasing average might suggest an industry in good health, growing consumer awareness, or a rise in the costs associated with underwriting policies. Conversely, a decreasing average could hint at increased competition, reduced policy premiums, or declining consumer demand.

Therefore, understanding this figure of $279 is like having a compass in the excitingly complex realm of the life insurance industry. It unearths socioeconomic narratives, illustrates consumer behavior, and provides a barometer for industry health.

Prudential Financial was the largest life insurance company in the U.S. in 2020, with total assets amounting to 616.25 billion USD.

Highlighted as a pivotal revelation, the stature of Prudential Financial in the 2020 life insurance landscape signifies its prominent footprint in the industry. With an impressive total asset accumulation of $616.25 billion USD, it is unequivocal that they lead the market during this year.

This towering financial strength not only showcases Prudential’s dominant strategic positioning, but also reflects its potential magnitude of impact in the industry. For comparison within the sector, gauging market trends, or understanding the weight of asset management, this statistic acts as an insightful benchmark.

Moreover, this underlines their capacity to manage risks, deliver upon policyholder obligations and invest into growth opportunities. This information, thus, serves as a clear indicator of their competitive resilience amidst an ever-evolving life insurance industry. Consequently, an understanding of Prudential’s exceptional stance indispensably enhances the depth of discussion in a blog post about Life Insurance Industry Statistics.

About 54% of Americans have some type of life insurance.

In the grand chessboard of life insurance industry statistics, the fact that approximately 54% of Americans have some form of life insurance strategy serves as a significant bellwether. This figure is more than just a number—lurking behind it are myriad implications, revelations, and projections.

This middle-of-the-road percentage suggests there’s a reasonably balanced split between those who have taken measures to financially safeguard their families’ futures and those who haven’t. It paints a landscape of potential opportunities and challenges against which the life insurance industry can plan its future moves.

On one side, it highlights the industry’s substantial penetration into the market, validating the trust millions of Americans vest in life insurance as a reliable fallback. Conversely, it reveals a nearly half market that is unclaimed, untapped, or unaware—representing a substantial growth prospect for the industry.

Therefore, this figure lays out the two pivotal themes shaping the discussion in our blog post: validation of the life insurance industry’s crucial role in financial planning and the identification of market segments brimming with potential for growth.

Globally, in 2019, Japan was the largest market for life insurance in terms of premium volume, with around 20.4% of the total life insurance premiums worldwide.

In the rhythmic symphony of worldwide life insurance trends, one might not miss the resounding tune of Japan’s dominance. The Land of the Rising Sun, in 2019, topped the charts and made a bold mark in the realm of life insurance, accounting for a whopping 20.4% of the total life insurance premiums worldwide. Picture this — more than a fifth of the global life insurance premium volume is concentrated in this country.

This remarkable figure becomes the key, unlocking insightful discussions and perspectives in a blog post on Life Insurance Industry Statistics. It presents a compelling case study of Japan’s vast life insurance market, setting the stage for comparisons, contrasts, and learning from their strategies. So, when you parse through life insurance industry stats, remember that Japan’s lion share in 2019 holds a mirror to crucial industry patterns and trends – a testament to the country’s strength and strategy in this sector.

In 2020, the penetration rate of life insurance in the United States was 3.2%.

Peeling back the layers of the 2020 life insurance penetration rate reveals a significant narrative on the current state of the Life Insurance Industry in the United States. A mere 3.2% of the population having life insurance paints a picture of missed opportunities and untapped potential for both insurance companies and the general public.

One might consider this statistic as an insight radar, boldly highlighting the vast proportion of Americans, approximately 96.8%, who lacked life insurance cover in the eventful year of 2020. For the blog post about Life Insurance Industry Statistics, this is a powerful indicator of the existing gap that industry players need to address.

Given the financial safeguard benefits life insurance offers to policyholders’ dependents, this 3.2% rate gives rise to a contextual debate – ‘why so low?’ Through this number, the blog post can explore potential impediments and possible solutions to growing and improving the life insurance industry. This statistic, therefore, serves not just as a point of reference, but a conversation starter – a way to prod readers to delve deeper into the world of life insurance, its importance, and its relevance in their lives.

In 2018, life insurance companies in the US received approximately 157.54 billion USD in premiums.

The statistic showcasing a whopping 157.54 billion USD received in premiums by U.S. life insurance companies in 2018 presents a compelling image of the industry’s dynamism. This massive influx of premium contributions tells a tale of robust consumer trust and reliance on life insurance policies throughout the country, painting the industry as a force to be reckoned with.

Additionally, it offers an indicator of the industry’s significance in the economic landscape—more importantly, revealing an upward trend that points toward its sustained growth. This unseen beacon guiding us through the ocean of data thus signposts the life insurance industry’s indispensable role in our financial world, deserving of our attention and scrutiny in any exploration of its statistics.

By 2025, the global life insurance market is expected to reach $716.8 billion USD.

Forecasting an impressive growth to $716.8 billion USD by 2025, the global life insurance market showcases its robust vitality and untapped potentials. This exponential growth trajectory invites a closer look from investors, insurers, and policy buyers, encouraging thought-provoking discussions, strategy recalibrations, and keener competition.

As such, in this blog post, we’ll unpack this staggering figure, delve into what’s driving this phenomenal growth and explore how it will reshape the life insurance landscape in the foreseeable future. By doing so, we provide actionable insights for market entrants, veterans, and consumers to maneuver wisely in the vibrant life insurance arena.

The U.S. represents the largest life insurance market worldwide, accounting for approximately 20% of the total market share in 2019.

In navigating the ocean of information on the global life insurance industry, you’ll find an impressive beacon – the U.S., holding sway as the most substantial life insurance market across the globe. Its robust size, grappling a momentous 20% of global market share in 2019, exemplifies its influence and presents a microcosm of worldwide trends, preferences, and fluctuations.

This vantage point offers crucial insights for industry professionals to anticipate global shifts, potential challenges and opportunities, not to mention the useful forecasting element it brings into the discussion. Indeed, understanding this dominant presence is akin to glimpsing the heartbeat of the life insurance industry worldwide.

The average age for buying a first life insurance in the U.S. is late 30s.

Dive into the heart of the Life Insurance Industry by unmasking a significant figure: the average age for buying a first life insurance in the U.S. is the late 30s. This figure paints a critical landscape for insurance companies, suggesting when and how they should target potential clients. It signals when the perceived need for life insurance typically surfaces, which could be due to multiple life-changing engagements such as marriage, starting a family, or purchasing a house—all of which usually occur within this age bracket.

This pivotal statistic outlines a trend, helping insurance companies to deliver the right offerings at the right time, and prompting individuals to critically contemplate their life insurance decisions as they march towards their late 30s.

Roughly 66% of people prefer purchasing life insurance policy online as per 2021 data.

Unraveling the significance of this intriguing datum, we are lead into understanding the shifting nature of consumer behavior, particularly in the life insurance industry. The crunching 66% of individuals favoring online procurement of life insurance policies, according to 2021 data, paints a vivid picture of how the landscape of this industry is experiencing a monumental transformation.

This underscores the digital-first approach largely embraced by consumers primarily for its convenience and hassle-free experience, marking an important turning point for the industry. The importance of this figure for industry stakeholders lies in its power to shape strategies, establish digital infrastructure, and offer innovative online products to cater to this substantial segment.

Moreover, it also highlights an emerging necessity for life insurance providers to bolster their online presence and digital customer service to meet the needs and expectations of the digitally-inclined populace. Failure to adapt to this trend may result in loss of potential customers, hence, detrimental to their market foothold. Therefore, this statistic serves as a clear signpost indicating the direction in which the industry navigational compass is pointing.

About 41% of all life insurance purchases in 2021 have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This intriguing revelation illuminates the nimble nature of the life insurance industry, in response to global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It emphasizes a significant shift in consumer behavior and mindset; a clear indicator on how a global crisis can serve as a major determinant influencing people’s purchasing decisions about life insurance. Dissecting into this statistic may shed light on an increased awareness and appreciation towards insurance policies, highlighting not only the adaptability of consumers but of the industry as a whole.

This substantial proportion suggests an increased perceived value of life insurance, reiterating its importance as a safeguard against unpredictable life events. Understanding such trends can yield pivotal insights for insurers and stakeholders alike, enabling the evolution and adjustment of strategies to meet the ever-changing needs and concerns of consumers.

In 2020, Manulife Financial was the life insurance company with the highest volume of life insurance premiums, with more than 102 billion U.S. dollars.

Harnessing the power of numbers can give us incredible insights, in this case, zooming in on the colossal force that is Manulife Financial within the life insurance industry. The figure – the staggering 102 billion U.S. dollars in life insurance premiums — speaks volumes, catapulting Manulife Financial onto the gold pedestal as the highest earner in 2020.

This hefty figure not only showcases the muscle power of Manulife in the marketplace but unlike any other unearths the substantial scope of the life insurance industry. It’s akin to giving us a reality check about the astronomical amounts of money changing hands in the insurance sector annually. Moreover, for those mulling over the viability of the life insurance business or wanting to gauge the intensity of competition, this statistic serves as a helpful barometer.

In essence, the prominence of Manulife’s performance becomes an invaluable navigational beacon, offering guidance and direction through the oftentimes murky waters of life insurance industry statistics—a testament to the persuasive power of data.

Worldwide insurance premiums for life insurance reached around 2.92 trillion U.S. dollars in 2019.

Highlighting the colossal sum of approximately 2.92 trillion U.S. dollars in worldwide life insurance premiums in 2019 serves to underscore the immense global magnitude and economic clout of the life insurance industry. This figure, staggering in its scale, doesn’t simply showcase the financial might of this industry, but also underlines the widespread recognition of the crucial role life insurance plays in countless people’s financial planning.

From safeguarding against unforeseen events to securing long-term financial goals, it illustrates just how intertwined life insurance has become with our lives across the globe. In the context of Life Insurance Industry Statistics, this is a commanding roadmap to the global ecosystem and a testament to the industry’s resilience.

Conclusion

Understanding the life insurance industry statistics can significantly help both companies and consumers alike. They provide a valuable insight into the overall performance, existing trends, and the future potential of the industry. The growing percentage of individuals investing in life insurance policies despite the global economic instabilities indicates the sectors’ resilience and importance in people’s lives.

As the market evolves, the industry will continue to thrive and offer a safety net for unanticipated risks. Therefore, being up-to-date with these statistics will enable all stakeholders to make informed decisions and plan their actions more effectively. It will be exciting to see how digitalization, personalized policy offerings, and other emerging trends will shape the future of the life insurance industry.

References

0. – https://www.www.statista.com

1. – https://www.www.limra.com

2. – https://www.www.prnewswire.com

3. – https://www.lifehappens.org

4. – https://www.www.iii.org

5. – https://www.www.policygenius.com

FAQs

What is life insurance, and why is it important?

Life insurance is a contract between an insurance policy holder and an insurer, where the insurer promises to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money upon the death of the insured person. It is important because it can provide financial security to the policy holder's loved ones after their passing, helping cover funeral costs, debts, and living expenses.

How does age impact life insurance premiums?

In general, the younger a person is at the time of purchasing a life insurance policy, the lower the premium will be. This is because older individuals typically present a higher risk to the insurer due to the increased likelihood of health issues.

What are the differences between term life insurance and whole life insurance?

Term life insurance provides coverage for a specific time period, typically 10, 20, or 30 years. If the policyholder dies within the term, the death benefit is paid to the beneficiaries. Whole life insurance provides lifetime coverage and includes an investment component, meaning that it has cash value that can be accessed during the policyholder's lifetime.

How does the life insurance industry determine policy premiums?

Insurance companies calculate life insurance premiums based on several factors. These include the applicant's age, gender, health history, occupation, lifestyle habits - such as smoking and alcohol consumption, and the type and amount of coverage requested.

What is the current state of the life insurance industry?

The life insurance industry has remained a fundamental component of personal finance. It has proven to be resilient despite various economic downturns. However, the industry is facing challenges with changing consumer behaviors, technological developments and the low-interest rate environment. Companies that innovate and adapt to these trends are likely to thrive in the future market.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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