Dominican Republic · Americas
How many people die in the Dominican Republic every day?
In the Dominican Republic, about 186 people die every day, roughly one death every 8 minutes. That is about 68,000 deaths a year, 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 95th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 74.1 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
186
Deaths per year
68,000
Life expectancy
74.1 years
Population
11,228,821
Death rate
6.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Dominican Republic
74.1
World avg
72.8
+1.3 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Dominican Republic
6.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in the Dominican Republic by time period
| Per hour | 7.8 |
| Per day | 186 |
| Per week | 1,304 |
| Per month | 5,667 |
| Per year | 68,000 |
What people die of in the Dominican Republic
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in the Dominican Republic in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 17.2% of all deaths, about 29 a day. It was followed by stroke and diabetes.
Deaths from diabetes have increased about 3-fold since 2000, from about 1,214 to 3,896 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) | 10,409 | 29 | 17.2% | +106% |
| 2 | Stroke | 5,293 | 15 | 8.7% | +73% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 3,896 | 11 | 6.4% | +221% |
| 4 | Road injuries | 3,495 | 9.6 | 5.8% | +106% |
| 5 | Kidney diseases | 2,607 | 7.1 | 4.3% | +200% |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 2,162 | 5.9 | 3.6% | +4% |
| 7 | Preterm birth complications | 2,021 | 5.5 | 3.3% | -1% |
| 8 | Prostate cancer | 1,821 | 5.0 | 3% | +121% |
| 9 | Hypertensive heart disease | 1,806 | 4.9 | 3% | +116% |
| 10 | Homicide (interpersonal violence) | 1,505 | 4.1 | 2.5% | +11% |
Deaths in the Dominican Republic since 2000
WHO estimates that about 60,535 people died in the Dominican Republic 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 | 40,252 deaths |
| 2010 | 50,563 deaths |
| 2019 | 63,673 deaths |
| 2023 | 60,535 deaths |
Life expectancy in the Dominican Republic since 1950
A baby born in the Dominican Republic in 1950 could expect to live about 44.1 years. By 2023 that had risen to 73.7, a gain of 29.6 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 44.1 years |
| 1980 | 63.4 years |
| 2000 | 70.4 years |
| 2010 | 72 years |
| 2019 | 73.1 years |
| 2023 | 73.7 years |
The Dominican Republic compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, the Dominican Republic ranks 17th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican Republic | 186 | 74.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Cuba | 301 | 73.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Haiti | 274 | 64 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Honduras | 142 | 75.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Bolivia | 197 | 64 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Guatemala | 260 | 71.8 | 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 the Dominican Republic every day?
In the Dominican Republic, about 186 people die every day, or roughly one death every 8 minutes. That adds up to about 68,000 deaths a year, 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in the Dominican Republic?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the Dominican Republic. 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 17.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in the Dominican Republic?
Life expectancy at birth in the Dominican Republic is 74.1 years, 1.3 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 92nd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in the Dominican Republic high?
The Dominican Republic records about 6.1 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.