Belgium · Europe
How many people die in Belgium every day?
In Belgium, about 310 people die every day, roughly one death every 5 minutes. That is about 113,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 73rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 81.4 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
310
Deaths per year
113,000
Life expectancy
81.4 years
Population
11,686,140
Death rate
9.7 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Belgium
81.4
World avg
72.8
+8.6 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Belgium
9.7
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Belgium by time period
| Per hour | 13 |
| Per day | 310 |
| Per week | 2,167 |
| Per month | 9,417 |
| Per year | 113,000 |
What people die of in Belgium
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Belgium in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 11.4% of all deaths, about 35 a day. It was followed by pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections and Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have more than doubled since 2000, from about 3,700 to 7,822 a year. Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have fallen by 38% since 2000, from about 20,671 to 12,774 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) | 12,774 | 35 | 11.4% | -38% |
| 2 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 8,452 | 23 | 7.5% | +61% |
| 3 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 7,822 | 21 | 7% | +111% |
| 4 | Stroke | 6,629 | 18 | 5.9% | -28% |
| 5 | Lung cancer | 6,165 | 17 | 5.5% | -4% |
| 6 | COPD | 6,017 | 16 | 5.3% | -10% |
| 7 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 2,989 | 8.2 | 2.7% | -12% |
| 8 | Kidney diseases | 2,893 | 7.9 | 2.6% | +107% |
| 9 | COVID-19 | 2,612 | 7.2 | 2.3% | n/a |
| 10 | Breast cancer | 2,533 | 6.9 | 2.3% | -6% |
Deaths in Belgium since 2000
WHO estimates that about 112,501 people died in Belgium in 2023, 7% 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 | 104,922 deaths |
| 2010 | 106,609 deaths |
| 2019 | 109,006 deaths |
| 2023 | 112,501 deaths |
Life expectancy in Belgium since 1950
A baby born in Belgium in 1950 could expect to live about 66.3 years. By 2023 that had risen to 82.1, a gain of 15.8 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 66.3 years |
| 1980 | 73.2 years |
| 2000 | 77.8 years |
| 2010 | 80 years |
| 2019 | 81.8 years |
| 2023 | 82.1 years |
Belgium compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Belgium ranks 11th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 310 | 81.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Czech Republic | 329 | 79 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Sweden | 260 | 83 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Greece | 342 | 80.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Portugal | 329 | 81 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Hungary | 384 | 76 | 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 Belgium every day?
In Belgium, about 310 people die every day, or roughly one death every 5 minutes. That adds up to about 113,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Belgium?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Belgium. 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 11.4% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Belgium?
Life expectancy at birth in Belgium is 81.4 years, 8.6 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 25th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Belgium high?
Belgium records about 9.7 deaths per 1,000 people each year, above 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.