In 2022, the most common cause of death in Sweden was diseases of the circulatory system. More than 28,000 people died because of these diseases. Cancer was the second most common cause of death in Sweden. Furthermore, diseases of the respiratory system caused over 6,000 deaths in Sweden in 2022.
Ischemic heart disease most common cause
Chronic ischemic heart disease is the circulation system disease that causes the most number of deaths. When ischemic heart disease occurs, the arteries of the heart are blocked and the blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced. Heart attacks caused the second most deaths of the circulatory system diseases.
 
COVID-19
From 2019 to 2020, the total number of deaths in Sweden increased by around 10,000, almost reaching 100,000 in total. This can be explained by the more than 9,400 deaths caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). At the beginning of the pandemic, the Swedish government tried a different approach than most other European countries, avoiding strict lockdowns and regulations. However, it has recorded a higher number of deaths and cases than the other Nordic countries. As of January 2023, nearly 23,000 people had died of COVID-19 in Sweden.
Number of deaths in Sweden from 2021 to 2022, by cause of death
Characteristic
2021
2022
Diseases of the circulatory system
27,464
28,251
Tumors (cancer)
23,070
23,436
Diseases of the respiratory system
5,043
6,173
Diseases of the nervous system
5,751
6,154
Mental and behavioural disorders
5,767
6,145
External causes of morbidity and mortality (injuries and poisonings)
4,969
5,196
Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified
3,383
3,611
Codes for special purposes
5,334
3,535
COVID-19*
5,319
3,532
Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases
3,021
3,236
Diseases of the digestive system
3,053
3,213
Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
2,379
2,592
Alcohol-related deaths
2,089
2,117
Diseases of the genitourinary system
1,476
1,764
Drug-related deaths
774
860
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
451
514
Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain disorders involving the immune mechanism
301
344
Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities
252
269
Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue
241
251
Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
Socialstyrelsen. (June 15, 2023). Number of deaths in Sweden from 2021 to 2022, by cause of death [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/528942/sweden-number-of-deaths-by-cause-of-death/
Socialstyrelsen. "Number of deaths in Sweden from 2021 to 2022, by cause of death." Chart. June 15, 2023. Statista. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/528942/sweden-number-of-deaths-by-cause-of-death/
Socialstyrelsen. (2023). Number of deaths in Sweden from 2021 to 2022, by cause of death. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/528942/sweden-number-of-deaths-by-cause-of-death/
Socialstyrelsen. "Number of Deaths in Sweden from 2021 to 2022, by Cause of Death." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Jun 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/528942/sweden-number-of-deaths-by-cause-of-death/
Socialstyrelsen, Number of deaths in Sweden from 2021 to 2022, by cause of death Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/528942/sweden-number-of-deaths-by-cause-of-death/ (last visited August 25, 2024)
Number of deaths in Sweden from 2021 to 2022, by cause of death [Graph], Socialstyrelsen, June 15, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/528942/sweden-number-of-deaths-by-cause-of-death/