Denmark · Europe
How many people die in Denmark every day?
In Denmark, about 153 people die every day, roughly one death every 9 minutes. That is about 56,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 101st highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 81.3 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
153
Deaths per year
56,000
Life expectancy
81.3 years
Population
5,910,913
Death rate
9.5 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Denmark
81.3
World avg
72.8
+8.5 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Denmark
9.5
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Denmark by time period
| Per hour | 6.4 |
| Per day | 153 |
| Per week | 1,074 |
| Per month | 4,667 |
| Per year | 56,000 |
What people die of in Denmark
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Denmark in 2023 was Alzheimer's and other dementias, which accounted for 9.3% of all deaths, about 14 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and COPD.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 4-fold since 2000, from about 1,401 to 5,119 a year. Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have fallen by 62% since 2000, from about 12,452 to 4,725 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 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 5,119 | 14 | 9.3% | +265% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 4,725 | 13 | 8.6% | -62% |
| 3 | COPD | 4,484 | 12 | 8.2% | +2% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 3,508 | 9.6 | 6.4% | -1% |
| 5 | Stroke | 3,280 | 9.0 | 6% | -39% |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 2,154 | 5.9 | 3.9% | +65% |
| 7 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 2,042 | 5.6 | 3.7% | -17% |
| 8 | Prostate cancer | 1,571 | 4.3 | 2.9% | +25% |
| 9 | Breast cancer | 1,314 | 3.6 | 2.4% | -18% |
| 10 | Pancreatic cancer | 1,209 | 3.3 | 2.2% | +46% |
Deaths in Denmark since 2000
WHO estimates that about 54,769 people died in Denmark in 2023, 4% fewer 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 | 57,044 deaths |
| 2010 | 54,019 deaths |
| 2019 | 53,586 deaths |
| 2023 | 54,769 deaths |
Life expectancy in Denmark since 1950
A baby born in Denmark in 1950 could expect to live about 70.3 years. By 2023 that had risen to 81.9, a gain of 11.6 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 70.3 years |
| 1980 | 74.1 years |
| 2000 | 76.8 years |
| 2010 | 79.2 years |
| 2019 | 81.4 years |
| 2023 | 81.9 years |
Denmark compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Denmark ranks 12th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | 153 | 81.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Slovakia | 153 | 77.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Finland | 156 | 81.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Norway | 115 | 83.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Serbia | 288 | 75.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Bulgaria | 296 | 74.8 | 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 Denmark every day?
In Denmark, about 153 people die every day, or roughly one death every 9 minutes. That adds up to about 56,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Denmark?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Denmark. 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 Alzheimer's and other dementias first in 2023, with 9.3% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Denmark?
Life expectancy at birth in Denmark is 81.3 years, 8.5 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 26th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Denmark high?
Denmark records about 9.5 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.