Bhutan · Asia
How many people die in Bhutan every day?
In Bhutan, about 12 people die every day, roughly one death every 2 hours. That is about 4,200 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 161st highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 72.1 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
12
Deaths per year
4,200
Life expectancy
72.1 years
Population
782,455
Death rate
5.4 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Bhutan
72.1
World avg
72.8
-0.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Bhutan
5.4
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Bhutan by time period
| Per hour | 0.5 |
| Per day | 12 |
| Per week | 81 |
| Per month | 350 |
| Per year | 4,200 |
What people die of in Bhutan
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Bhutan in 2023 was COPD, which accounted for 12.7% of all deaths, about 1.4 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and stroke.
Deaths from COPD have increased about 6-fold since 2000, from about 91 to 507 a year. Deaths from tuberculosis have fallen by 79% since 2000, from about 1,278 to 268 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 | COPD | 507 | 1.4 | 12.7% | +457% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 378 | 1.0 | 9.4% | +250% |
| 3 | Stroke | 326 | under 1 | 8.1% | +258% |
| 4 | Tuberculosis | 268 | under 1 | 6.7% | -79% |
| 5 | Diabetes | 194 | under 1 | 4.8% | n/a |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 167 | under 1 | 4.2% | -43% |
| 7 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 167 | under 1 | 4.2% | -53% |
| 8 | Road injuries | 150 | under 1 | 3.7% | +56% |
| 9 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 127 | under 1 | 3.2% | n/a |
| 10 | Hypertensive heart disease | 106 | under 1 | 2.6% | n/a |
Deaths in Bhutan since 2000
WHO estimates that about 4,011 people died in Bhutan in 2023, 2% 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 | 3,930 deaths |
| 2010 | 3,837 deaths |
| 2019 | 3,869 deaths |
| 2023 | 4,011 deaths |
Life expectancy in Bhutan since 1950
A baby born in Bhutan in 1950 could expect to live about 35.3 years. By 2023 that had risen to 73, a gain of 37.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 35.3 years |
| 1980 | 48.2 years |
| 2000 | 61.8 years |
| 2010 | 68.8 years |
| 2019 | 72 years |
| 2023 | 73 years |
Bhutan compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Bhutan ranks 0th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhutan | 12 | 72.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Timor-Leste | 21 | 67.7 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Bahrain | 11 | 77.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Qatar | 8 | 80.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Armenia | 77 | 75.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Mongolia | 52 | 70.8 | 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 Bhutan every day?
In Bhutan, about 12 people die every day, or roughly one death every 2 hours. That adds up to about 4,200 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Bhutan?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Bhutan. 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 COPD first in 2023, with 12.7% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Bhutan?
Life expectancy at birth in Bhutan is 72.1 years, 0.7 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 108th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Bhutan high?
Bhutan records about 5.4 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.