France · Europe
How many people die in France every day?
In France, about 1,753 people die every day, roughly one death every 49 seconds. That is about 640,000 deaths a year, 1.0% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 17th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 82.5 years and the leading cause of death is cancer. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
1,753
Deaths per year
640,000
Life expectancy
82.5 years
Population
64,756,584
Death rate
9.9 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cancer
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
France
82.5
World avg
72.8
+9.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
France
9.9
World avg
7.7
Deaths in France by time period
| Per hour | 73 |
| Per day | 1,753 |
| Per week | 12,274 |
| Per month | 53,333 |
| Per year | 640,000 |
What people die of in France
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in France in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 9.9% of all deaths, about 171 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and stroke.
Deaths from pancreatic cancer have more than doubled since 2000, from about 7,338 to 14,993 a year. Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have fallen by 22% since 2000, from about 80,100 to 62,595 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 62,595 | 171 | 9.9% | -22% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 44,112 | 121 | 7% | +98% |
| 3 | Stroke | 37,915 | 104 | 6% | -13% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 34,844 | 95 | 5.5% | +31% |
| 5 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 22,159 | 61 | 3.5% | +21% |
| 6 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 21,074 | 58 | 3.3% | +5% |
| 7 | COPD | 18,864 | 52 | 3% | +18% |
| 8 | Breast cancer | 16,371 | 45 | 2.6% | +21% |
| 9 | COVID-19 | 16,135 | 44 | 2.5% | n/a |
| 10 | Pancreatic cancer | 14,993 | 41 | 2.4% | +104% |
Deaths in France since 2000
WHO estimates that about 634,229 people died in France in 2023, 19% 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 | 531,651 deaths |
| 2010 | 545,776 deaths |
| 2019 | 603,175 deaths |
| 2023 | 634,229 deaths |
Life expectancy in France since 1950
A baby born in France in 1950 could expect to live about 66.4 years. By 2023 that had risen to 83.3, a gain of 16.9 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 66.4 years |
| 1980 | 74.2 years |
| 2000 | 79 years |
| 2010 | 81.4 years |
| 2019 | 82.7 years |
| 2023 | 83.3 years |
France compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, France ranks 6th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 1,753 | 82.5 | Cancer |
| United Kingdom | 1,836 | 80.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Italy | 1,945 | 83.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Germany | 2,795 | 80.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Spain | 1,233 | 83.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ukraine | 1,644 | 71.6 | 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 France every day?
In France, about 1,753 people die every day, or roughly one death every 49 seconds. That adds up to about 640,000 deaths a year, 1.0% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in France?
Cancer is the leading cause of death in France. Cancer tends to lead in countries where people live long enough for it to overtake heart disease. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put heart disease (ischaemic) first in 2023, with 9.9% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in France?
Life expectancy at birth in France is 82.5 years, 9.7 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 16th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in France high?
France records about 9.9 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.