Distribution of causes of death worldwide in 2021

Published by
John Elflein,
Oct 14, 2024

In 2021, around 29 percent of all deaths globally were caused by cardiovascular diseases and almost 15 percent were caused by cancer. Furthermore, COVID-19 was responsible for almost 12 percent of all deaths worldwide in 2021. This statistic shows the distribution of causes of death worldwide in 2021.

Distribution of causes of death worldwide in 2021

CharacteristicDistribution of deaths
Cardiovascular diseases 28.6%
Cancers 14.6%
COVID-19 11.6%
Chronic respiratory diseases 6.5%
Digestive diseases 3.7%
Lower respiratory infections 3.2%
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias 2.9%
Neonatal deaths 2.7%
Diabetes mellitus 2.4%
Kidney disease 2.3%
Liver disease 2.1%
Enteric infections 2%
Road injuries 1.8%
Showing entries 1 to 13 (33 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Distribution of deaths28.6%28.6%14.6%14.6%11.6%11.6%6.5%6.5%3.7%3.7%3.2%3.2%2.9%2.9%2.7%2.7%2.4%2.4%2.3%2.3%2.1%2.1%2%2%1.8%1.8%1.7%1.7%1.7%1.7%1.1%1.1%1.1%1.1%1.1%1.1%0.6%0.6%0.6%0.6%0.4%0.4%0.3%0.3%0.3%0.3%0.3%0.3%0.3%0.3%0.2%0.2%0.2%0.2%0.2%0.2%0.1%0.1%0.1%0.1%0.1%0.1%0.1%0.1%0.1%0.1%Cardiovascular diseasesCancersCOVID-19Chronic respiratory diseasesDigestive diseasesLower respiratory infectionsAlzheimer's disease and other dementiasNeonatal deathsDiabetes mellitusKidney diseaseLiver diseaseEnteric infectionsRoad injuriesDiarrheal diseasesTuberculosisMalariaSuicideHIV/AIDSHomicideParkinson's diseaseDrowningNutritional deficienciesMeningitisMaternal disordersProtein-energy malnutritionAlcohol use disordersDrug disordersFireConflict (including terrorism)HepatitisHot or cold exposure*Terrorism*Natural disasters*
0%10%20%30%2.5%5%7.5%12.5%15%17.5%22.5%25%27.5%32.5%

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Release date

September 2024

Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2021

Supplementary notes

Release date represents the date figures were accessed.
Data refers to the specific cause of death, which is distinguished from risk factors for death, such as air pollution, diet and other lifestyle factors. This is shown by cause of death as the percentage of total deaths.

* Less than .1 percent.

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