Australia · Oceania
How many people die in Australia every day?
In Australia, about 466 people die every day, roughly one death every 3 minutes. That is about 170,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 55th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 83.3 years and the leading cause of death is cardiovascular disease. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
466
Deaths per year
170,000
Life expectancy
83.3 years
Population
26,177,413
Death rate
6.5 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Australia
83.3
World avg
72.8
+10.5 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Australia
6.5
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Australia by time period
| Per hour | 19 |
| Per day | 466 |
| Per week | 3,260 |
| Per month | 14,167 |
| Per year | 170,000 |
What people die of in Australia
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Australia in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 11.6% of all deaths, about 59 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and stroke.
Deaths from falls have increased about 7-fold since 2000, from about 568 to 4,232 a year. Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have fallen by 27% since 2000, from about 29,305 to 21,448 a year.
WHO counts single causes, so heart disease and stroke appear as separate rows. Grouped together as cardiovascular disease, the category in the summary above, they are the largest killer.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 21,448 | 59 | 11.6% | -27% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 18,339 | 50 | 9.9% | +396% |
| 3 | Stroke | 10,081 | 28 | 5.5% | -18% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 9,143 | 25 | 4.9% | +32% |
| 5 | COPD | 8,625 | 24 | 4.7% | +41% |
| 6 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 6,180 | 17 | 3.3% | +13% |
| 7 | COVID-19 | 5,245 | 14 | 2.8% | n/a |
| 8 | Kidney diseases | 4,915 | 13 | 2.7% | +130% |
| 9 | Diabetes | 4,704 | 13 | 2.5% | +68% |
| 10 | Falls | 4,232 | 12 | 2.3% | +645% |
Deaths in Australia since 2000
WHO estimates that about 184,741 people died in Australia in 2023, 46% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 126,726 deaths |
| 2010 | 141,809 deaths |
| 2019 | 170,321 deaths |
| 2023 | 184,741 deaths |
Life expectancy in Australia since 1950
A baby born in Australia in 1950 could expect to live about 69 years. By 2023 that had risen to 83.9, a gain of 14.9 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 69 years |
| 1980 | 74.6 years |
| 2000 | 79.6 years |
| 2010 | 82 years |
| 2019 | 83.2 years |
| 2023 | 83.9 years |
Australia compared with similar countries in Oceania
Among the 3 countries in Oceania on this site, Australia ranks 1st for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 466 | 83.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Papua New Guinea | 197 | 65 | Lower respiratory infections |
| New Zealand | 99 | 82.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Australia every day?
In Australia, about 466 people die every day, or roughly one death every 3 minutes. That adds up to about 170,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Australia?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia. Heart disease and stroke are the biggest killers in most countries, driven largely by high blood pressure, smoking, diet and inactivity. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 11.6% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Australia?
Life expectancy at birth in Australia is 83.3 years, 10.5 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 10th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Australia high?
Australia records about 6.5 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.