Canada · Americas
How many people die in Canada every day?
In Canada, about 849 people die every day, roughly one death every 2 minutes. That is about 310,000 deaths a year, 0.5% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 34th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 82.7 years and the leading cause of death is cancer. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
849
Deaths per year
310,000
Life expectancy
82.7 years
Population
39,292,355
Death rate
7.9 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cancer
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Canada
82.7
World avg
72.8
+9.9 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Canada
7.9
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Canada by time period
| Per hour | 35 |
| Per day | 849 |
| Per week | 5,945 |
| Per month | 25,833 |
| Per year | 310,000 |
What people die of in Canada
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Canada in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 13.5% of all deaths, about 122 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and lung cancer.
Deaths from drug use disorders have increased about 10-fold since 2000, from about 1,027 to 10,030 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 44,370 | 122 | 13.5% | -10% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 34,108 | 93 | 10.4% | +244% |
| 3 | Lung cancer | 19,678 | 54 | 6% | +20% |
| 4 | COPD | 15,083 | 41 | 4.6% | +35% |
| 5 | Stroke | 15,014 | 41 | 4.6% | -6% |
| 6 | Drug use disorders | 10,030 | 27 | 3.1% | +877% |
| 7 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 10,005 | 27 | 3.1% | +32% |
| 8 | COVID-19 | 8,345 | 23 | 2.5% | n/a |
| 9 | Falls | 8,130 | 22 | 2.5% | +414% |
| 10 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 6,824 | 19 | 2.1% | +31% |
Deaths in Canada since 2000
WHO estimates that about 327,570 people died in Canada in 2023, 50% 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 | 218,085 deaths |
| 2010 | 240,121 deaths |
| 2019 | 285,631 deaths |
| 2023 | 327,570 deaths |
Life expectancy in Canada since 1950
A baby born in Canada in 1950 could expect to live about 68.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 82.6, a gain of 14.4 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 68.2 years |
| 1980 | 75.1 years |
| 2000 | 79.2 years |
| 2010 | 81.3 years |
| 2019 | 82.3 years |
| 2023 | 82.6 years |
Canada compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Canada 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 849 | 82.7 | Cancer |
| Peru | 521 | 76.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Argentina | 926 | 75.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Colombia | 767 | 77.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Venezuela | 438 | 72.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Chile | 315 | 78.9 | 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 Canada every day?
In Canada, about 849 people die every day, or roughly one death every 2 minutes. That adds up to about 310,000 deaths a year, 0.5% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Canada?
Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. Cancer tends to lead in countries where people live long enough for it to overtake heart disease. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 13.5% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Canada?
Life expectancy at birth in Canada is 82.7 years, 9.9 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 14th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Canada high?
Canada records about 7.9 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.