Colombia · Americas
How many people die in Colombia every day?
In Colombia, about 767 people die every day, roughly one death every 2 minutes. That is about 280,000 deaths a year, 0.5% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 37th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 77.3 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
767
Deaths per year
280,000
Life expectancy
77.3 years
Population
52,085,168
Death rate
5.4 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Colombia
77.3
World avg
72.8
+4.5 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Colombia
5.4
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Colombia by time period
| Per hour | 32 |
| Per day | 767 |
| Per week | 5,370 |
| Per month | 23,333 |
| Per year | 280,000 |
What people die of in Colombia
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Colombia in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 18.9% of all deaths, about 140 a day. It was followed by stroke and COPD.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 40-fold since 2000, from about 146 to 5,798 a year. Deaths from homicide (interpersonal violence) have fallen by 54% since 2000, from about 30,750 to 14,228 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) | 51,047 | 140 | 18.9% | +88% |
| 2 | Stroke | 18,385 | 50 | 6.8% | +25% |
| 3 | COPD | 16,024 | 44 | 5.9% | +79% |
| 4 | Homicide (interpersonal violence) | 14,228 | 39 | 5.3% | -54% |
| 5 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 9,957 | 27 | 3.7% | +49% |
| 6 | Road injuries | 8,455 | 23 | 3.1% | +23% |
| 7 | Hypertensive heart disease | 6,682 | 18 | 2.5% | +46% |
| 8 | Diabetes | 6,649 | 18 | 2.5% | +16% |
| 9 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 5,798 | 16 | 2.1% | +3871% |
| 10 | Stomach cancer | 5,688 | 16 | 2.1% | +14% |
Deaths in Colombia since 2000
WHO estimates that about 270,103 people died in Colombia in 2023, 38% 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 | 195,137 deaths |
| 2010 | 205,342 deaths |
| 2019 | 245,472 deaths |
| 2023 | 270,103 deaths |
Life expectancy in Colombia since 1950
A baby born in Colombia in 1950 could expect to live about 48.3 years. By 2023 that had risen to 77.7, a gain of 29.4 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 48.3 years |
| 1980 | 66.7 years |
| 2000 | 70.9 years |
| 2010 | 74.9 years |
| 2019 | 76.8 years |
| 2023 | 77.7 years |
Colombia compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Colombia ranks 7th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 767 | 77.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Argentina | 926 | 75.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Canada | 849 | 82.7 | Cancer |
| Peru | 521 | 76.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Venezuela | 438 | 72.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Mexico | 2,301 | 75 | 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 Colombia every day?
In Colombia, about 767 people die every day, or roughly one death every 2 minutes. That adds up to about 280,000 deaths a year, 0.5% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Colombia?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Colombia. 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 18.9% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Colombia?
Life expectancy at birth in Colombia is 77.3 years, 4.5 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 52nd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Colombia high?
Colombia 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.