China · Asia
How many people die in China every day?
In China, about 29,315 people die every day, roughly one death every 3 seconds. That is about 10,700,000 deaths a year, 17.3% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 1st highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 78.2 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
29,315
Deaths per year
10,700,000
Life expectancy
78.2 years
Population
1,425,671,352
Death rate
7.5 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
China
78.2
World avg
72.8
+5.4 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
China
7.5
World avg
7.7
Deaths in China by time period
| Per hour | 1,221 |
| Per day | 29,315 |
| Per week | 205,205 |
| Per month | 891,667 |
| Per year | 10,700,000 |
What people die of in China
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in China in 2023 was stroke, which accounted for 19.5% of all deaths, about 6,182 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and COPD.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 3-fold since 2000, from about 175,221 to 605,656 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 | Stroke | 2,256,341 | 6,182 | 19.5% | +27% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 2,225,157 | 6,096 | 19.2% | +168% |
| 3 | COPD | 1,083,971 | 2,970 | 9.4% | +36% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 719,057 | 1,970 | 6.2% | +156% |
| 5 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 605,656 | 1,659 | 5.2% | +246% |
| 6 | COVID-19 | 337,309 | 924 | 2.9% | n/a |
| 7 | Hypertensive heart disease | 330,444 | 905 | 2.9% | +65% |
| 8 | Liver cancer | 304,844 | 835 | 2.6% | +76% |
| 9 | Road injuries | 248,642 | 681 | 2.1% | -11% |
| 10 | Stomach cancer | 247,875 | 679 | 2.1% | +15% |
Deaths in China since 2000
WHO estimates that about 11,586,141 people died in China in 2023, 48% 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 | 7,824,409 deaths |
| 2010 | 8,146,278 deaths |
| 2019 | 9,469,077 deaths |
| 2023 | 11,586,141 deaths |
Life expectancy in China since 1950
A baby born in China in 1950 could expect to live about 43.8 years. By 2023 that had risen to 78, a gain of 34.2 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 43.8 years |
| 1980 | 64.2 years |
| 2000 | 72.3 years |
| 2010 | 75.7 years |
| 2019 | 77.9 years |
| 2023 | 78 years |
China compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, China ranks 9th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 29,315 | 78.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| India | 28,493 | 67.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Indonesia | 4,932 | 67.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Pakistan | 4,110 | 66.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Bangladesh | 2,384 | 72.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Japan | 4,274 | 84.8 | Cancer |
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 China every day?
In China, about 29,315 people die every day, or roughly one death every 3 seconds. That adds up to about 10,700,000 deaths a year, 17.3% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in China?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in China. 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 stroke first in 2023, with 19.5% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in China?
Life expectancy at birth in China is 78.2 years, 5.4 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 43rd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in China high?
China records about 7.5 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.