Estonia · Europe
How many people die in Estonia every day?
In Estonia, about 44 people die every day, roughly one death every 33 minutes. That is about 16,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 142nd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 78.6 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
44
Deaths per year
16,000
Life expectancy
78.6 years
Population
1,322,765
Death rate
12.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Estonia
78.6
World avg
72.8
+5.8 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Estonia
12.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Estonia by time period
| Per hour | 1.8 |
| Per day | 44 |
| Per week | 307 |
| Per month | 1,333 |
| Per year | 16,000 |
What people die of in Estonia
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Estonia in 2023 was hypertensive heart disease, which accounted for 19.8% of all deaths, about 8.6 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and stroke.
Deaths from hypertensive heart disease have increased about 10-fold since 2000, from about 323 to 3,125 a year. Deaths from stroke have fallen by 68% since 2000, from about 3,098 to 991 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 | Hypertensive heart disease | 3,125 | 8.6 | 19.8% | +867% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 2,472 | 6.8 | 15.7% | -61% |
| 3 | Stroke | 991 | 2.7 | 6.3% | -68% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 612 | 1.7 | 3.9% | -13% |
| 5 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 468 | 1.3 | 3% | +18% |
| 6 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 424 | 1.2 | 2.7% | +55% |
| 7 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 353 | under 1 | 2.2% | +9% |
| 8 | Diabetes | 305 | under 1 | 1.9% | +247% |
| 9 | COVID-19 | 293 | under 1 | 1.9% | n/a |
| 10 | Pancreatic cancer | 285 | under 1 | 1.8% | +62% |
Deaths in Estonia since 2000
WHO estimates that about 15,753 people died in Estonia in 2023, 14% 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 | 18,408 deaths |
| 2010 | 15,779 deaths |
| 2019 | 15,192 deaths |
| 2023 | 15,753 deaths |
Life expectancy in Estonia since 1950
A baby born in Estonia in 1950 could expect to live about 66.4 years. By 2023 that had risen to 79.2, a gain of 12.8 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 66.4 years |
| 1980 | 69.5 years |
| 2000 | 71 years |
| 2010 | 75.9 years |
| 2019 | 78.8 years |
| 2023 | 79.2 years |
Estonia compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Estonia ranks 20th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estonia | 44 | 78.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Cyprus | 23 | 81 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Latvia | 79 | 75.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| North Macedonia | 60 | 75.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Slovenia | 60 | 81.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Lithuania | 115 | 75.1 | 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 Estonia every day?
In Estonia, about 44 people die every day, or roughly one death every 33 minutes. That adds up to about 16,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Estonia?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Estonia. 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 hypertensive heart disease first in 2023, with 19.8% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Estonia?
Life expectancy at birth in Estonia is 78.6 years, 5.8 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 41st of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Estonia high?
Estonia records about 12.1 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.