Leading Causes of Death Statistics

These statistics summarize what kills the most people worldwide (global estimates) and in the United States (national vital statistics). “Leading causes” are typically ranked by the underlying cause of death recorded on death certificates.

Key leading-cause-of-death stats (quick facts)

• Globally, an estimated 55.42 million people died in 2019 (all causes).
• The single biggest global killer in 2019 was ischaemic heart disease with 8.88 million deaths (about 16.03% of all deaths).
• In 2019, the top 10 causes of death accounted for about 55.42% of all deaths worldwide.
• In 2021 (latest WHO “top 10” update), the top 10 causes accounted for 39 million deaths (about 57% of 68 million total deaths), with COVID-19 emerging as the second leading cause.
• Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for about 74% of deaths worldwide; WHO estimates at least 43 million NCD deaths in 2021.
• Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, with an estimated 19.8 million deaths in 2022 (about 32% of global deaths).
• In the U.S. in 2023, the top 3 causes by number of deaths were heart disease, cancer, and unintentional injuries.
• The overall U.S. age-adjusted death rate in 2023 was 750.4 deaths per 100,000, about 6.1% lower than in 2022.

Global leading causes of death

WHO’s Global Health Estimates show that cardiovascular diseases dominate the global rankings, followed by major respiratory diseases, neonatal conditions, and cancers.

Top 10 causes of death worldwide (2019, deaths in millions)

Label	Bar	Value
Ischaemic heart disease		8.88M
Stroke		6.19M
COPD		3.23M
Lower respiratory infections		2.59M
Neonatal conditions		2.04M
Lung cancers		1.78M
Alzheimer’s & other dementias		1.64M
Diarrhoeal diseases		1.52M
Diabetes mellitus		1.50M
Kidney diseases		1.33M

Max = 8.88M deaths. Widths: Ischaemic heart disease 100.00%, Stroke 69.71%, COPD 36.33%, Lower respiratory infections 29.19%, Neonatal conditions 22.93%, Lung cancers 20.08%, Alzheimer’s & other dementias 18.45%, Diarrhoeal diseases 17.10%, Diabetes mellitus 16.84%, Kidney diseases 15.02%.

Global deaths by broad cause group (2019, deaths in millions)

Label	Bar	Value
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)		40.80M
Communicable + maternal/perinatal/nutritional		10.20M
Injuries		4.41M

Max = 40.80M deaths. Widths: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) 100.00%, Communicable + maternal/perinatal/nutritional 25.00%, Injuries 10.81%.

U.S. leading causes of death

In the United States, heart disease and cancer remain the top two causes. In 2023, COVID-19 ranked 10th by underlying cause of death (provisional data).

Top 10 causes of death in the U.S. (2023, number of deaths)

Label	Bar	Value
Heart disease		680,981
Cancer		613,352
Unintentional injuries		222,698
Stroke		162,639
Chronic lower respiratory diseases		145,357
Alzheimer’s disease		114,034
Diabetes		95,190
Kidney disease		55,253
Chronic liver disease & cirrhosis		52,222
COVID-19		49,932

Max = 680,981 deaths. Widths: Heart disease 100.00%, Cancer 90.07%, Unintentional injuries 32.70%, Stroke 23.88%, Chronic lower respiratory diseases 21.35%, Alzheimer’s disease 16.75%, Diabetes 13.98%, Kidney disease 8.11%, Chronic liver disease & cirrhosis 7.67%, COVID-19 7.33%.

Why the leading causes differ by country

• Income level and health systems: In low-income countries, WHO reports that 8 of the top 10 causes of death in 2021 were communicable diseases.
• Population age structure: Older populations tend to see more deaths from heart disease, cancer, dementia, and other chronic illnesses.
• Risk exposure: Tobacco use, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, air pollution, and physical inactivity are major drivers of NCD mortality.

Sources

• WHO Global Health Estimates (GHE) 2019, “Estimated deaths by age, sex, and cause” (global; includes Top 20 table).
• WHO fact sheet: “The top 10 causes of death” (update published 7 August 2024; discusses 2021 leading causes and income-group patterns).
• WHO fact sheet: “Noncommunicable diseases” (update published 25 September 2025).
• WHO fact sheet: “Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs)” (update published 31 July 2025).
• CDC/NCHS FastStats: “Leading Causes of Death” (U.S. counts; last reviewed 17 September 2025).
• CDC MMWR: “Mortality in the United States — Provisional Data, 2023.”