May 1 (Reuters) - Insurance provider Aflac reported first-quarter profit above analysts' estimates on Wednesday, helped by improved premiums earned in the United States.

Aflac's shares rose 1.42% in extended trading.

Its U.S. unit earned net premiums of $1.5 billion for the quarter ended March 31, up 3.3% from a year earlier.

Net earnings in the first quarter came in at $1.9 billion, compared with $1.18 billion a year earlier.

On an adjusted basis, the Georgia-based company reported a quarterly per share profit of $1.66, topping analysts' average estimate of $1.58 per share, according to LSEG data.

According to Jefferies analyst Suneet Kamath, long-term interest rates will remain high for longer, helping life sector insurers pivot to growth in 2024.

The company lowered its 2026 sales expectations for its Japan business in February, owing to slower sales recovery.

However, Aflac did not provide commentary for its Japan business's 2026 sales forecast this quarter.

Improved net premiums earned in its U.S. businesses partly contributed to Aflac's overall net premiums. (Reporting by Sruthi Narasimha Chari and Pratik Jain in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)