Why Are People Dying?

Understanding why people die can help us take steps to prevent or delay many of these deaths. Here’s a global snapshot of the main causes of death, expressed in percentages for better clarity.

1. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) – 74% of Deaths

The majority of deaths—74%—are caused by non-communicable diseases. These conditions are often linked to lifestyle and long-term health habits.

  • Heart Diseases: Responsible for 33% of deaths, making it the leading cause globally.
  • Cancers: Account for nearly 19% of all deaths, the second most common cause.
  • Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Contribute to around 8% of deaths.

Together, these conditions cause nearly 3 out of 4 deaths worldwide.

2. Infectious Diseases – 14% of Deaths

Infectious diseases are still a significant issue, particularly in low-resource settings. They account for 14% of all global deaths.

Key contributors include:

  • Pneumonia, Diarrheal Diseases, Tuberculosis
  • HIV/AIDS and Malaria

3. Neonatal and Maternal Deaths – 4% of Deaths

Complications during childbirth and early infancy result in 4% of all deaths globally. These deaths are often preventable with better access to healthcare and nutrition.

4. Accidents and Injuries – 4% of Deaths

Unintentional injuries, including car accidents, falls, and workplace incidents, cause 4% of deaths worldwide, emphasizing the need for safety measures.

5. Violent Deaths – 2.3% of Deaths

  • Suicide: Accounts for 1.3%, highlighting the urgent need for better mental health support.
  • Interpersonal Violence (Homicides and Wars): Responsible for less than 1% of deaths globally.

Most Deaths Can Be Prevented or Postponed

While death is inevitable, many of the leading causes of death—especially non-communicable diseases and infectious diseases—can be prevented or delayed with the right actions. We highly recommend your to start with reading Top 10 tips to improve your age score

Most deaths are not just statistics—they are opportunities for change.

[Online Resource]: Saloni Dattani, Fiona Spooner, Hannah Ritchie and Max Roser (2023) - “Causes of Death” Published online at OurWorldinData.org.

Retrieved from: 'https://ourworldindata.org/causes-of-death'

Cause of death 2019