Background: Although clinical trials have reported the long-term survival of patients with early gastric cancer, data comparing their life expectancy with that of the general population is scarce. Our study estimated these patients’ life expectancy and analyzed the differences in life expectancy between patients with early gastric cancer and the general population. Methods: We enrolled patients who underwent curative gastrectomy and were diagnosed with pathologic stage 1 gastric cancer at Asan Medical Center from the gastric cancer registry. We determined patients’ survival status through the national health insurance system. Their life expectancy was analyzed and compared with that of the general population, utilizing data from the Korean Statistical Information Service database. Results: This cohort comprised 8,637 patients and 64.7% were men. Approximately 17.3% of participants were aged 70 years and older. Approximately 20% of patients underwent total gastrectomy. Life expectancy was favorable among women. Across all age groups, women’s life expectancy generally exceeded 80 years. Male patients showed a reduced life expectancy, typically 4-10 years shorter than their female counterparts. The average life expectancy of male patients aged over 80 years who underwent total gastrectomy was about 5 years, whereas that of their female counterparts was approximately 7 years. Female patients undergoing distal gastrectomy did not demonstrate a statistically significant variance in life expectancy compared to the general population. Conclusions: This study provided comprehensive life expectancy data, organized by age, sex, and type of gastrectomy in a large stage 1 gastric cancer cohort. Elderly patients undergoing total gastrectomy with limited life expectancy may benefit from considering alternative treatment options instead of total gastrectomy.