The leading causes of death around the world

World Health Rankings compiles various health data from around the world, including details about life expectancy and causes of death. Not so long ago (up to 2023), COVID-19 was one of the leading causes of deaths around the globe. This has changed in 2024, with coronary heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s/dementia ranking high in the leading cause of death category.

Wondering what the leading cause of death in your country might be? Check this  to discover some of the leading causes of death around the world.

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Australia

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Bangladesh

Leading cause of death: Stroke

Belgium

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Lung cancer

Brazil

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Stroke

Canada

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Alzheimer’s/dementia

Chile

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Stroke

Colombia

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Violence

Denmark

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Alzheimer’s/dementia

Finland

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Alzheimer’s/dementia

France

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Lung cancers

Germany

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Lung cancers

Hungary

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Stroke

India

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Lung disease

Indonesia

Leading cause of death: Stroke

Second leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Ireland

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Alzheimer’s/dementia

Italy

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Stroke

Japan

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Stroke

Malaysia

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Influenza and pneumonia

Mexico

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Diabetes mellitus

Netherlands

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Alzheimer’s/dementia

New Zealand

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Alzheimer’s/dementia

Peru

Leading cause of death: Influenza and pneumonia

Second leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

 

Poland

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Stroke

Portugal

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Stroke

South Africa

Leading cause of death: HIV/AIDS

Second leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

South Korea

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Stroke

Spain

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Lung cancer

Sweden

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Alzheimer’s/dementia

United Kingdom

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Alzheimer’s/dementia

United States

Leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease

Second leading cause of death: Alzheimer’s/dementia