Gabon · Africa
How many people die in Gabon every day?
In Gabon, about 41 people die every day, roughly one death every 35 minutes. That is about 15,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 143rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 66.5 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
41
Deaths per year
15,000
Life expectancy
66.5 years
Population
2,436,566
Death rate
6.2 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Gabon
66.5
World avg
72.8
-6.3 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Gabon
6.2
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Gabon by time period
| Per hour | 1.7 |
| Per day | 41 |
| Per week | 288 |
| Per month | 1,250 |
| Per year | 15,000 |
What people die of in Gabon
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Gabon in 2023 was HIV/AIDS, which accounted for 11% of all deaths, about 5.1 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and stroke.
Deaths from tuberculosis have more than doubled since 2000, from about 364 to 984 a year. Deaths from HIV/AIDS have fallen by 18% since 2000, from about 2,280 to 1,871 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 | HIV/AIDS | 1,871 | 5.1 | 11% | -18% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 1,339 | 3.7 | 7.9% | +63% |
| 3 | Stroke | 1,226 | 3.4 | 7.2% | +16% |
| 4 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 1,135 | 3.1 | 6.7% | +1% |
| 5 | Tuberculosis | 984 | 2.7 | 5.8% | +170% |
| 6 | Diabetes | 767 | 2.1 | 4.5% | +66% |
| 7 | Kidney diseases | 662 | 1.8 | 3.9% | +90% |
| 8 | Preterm birth complications | 542 | 1.5 | 3.2% | +22% |
| 9 | COPD | 517 | 1.4 | 3% | +19% |
| 10 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 516 | 1.4 | 3% | -10% |
Deaths in Gabon since 2000
WHO estimates that about 16,969 people died in Gabon in 2023, 20% 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 | 14,094 deaths |
| 2010 | 15,170 deaths |
| 2019 | 16,818 deaths |
| 2023 | 16,969 deaths |
Life expectancy in Gabon since 1950
A baby born in Gabon in 1950 could expect to live about 39.3 years. By 2023 that had risen to 68.3, a gain of 29.0 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 39.3 years |
| 1980 | 57.9 years |
| 2000 | 61.8 years |
| 2010 | 64.7 years |
| 2019 | 67.3 years |
| 2023 | 68.3 years |
Gabon compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Gabon ranks 8th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabon | 41 | 66.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Lesotho | 66 | 50.7 | HIV/AIDS |
| Namibia | 49 | 59.3 | HIV/AIDS |
| Botswana | 38 | 61.1 | HIV/AIDS |
| Guinea-Bissau | 52 | 59.4 | Malaria |
| Gambia | 52 | 62.6 | Malaria |
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 Gabon every day?
In Gabon, about 41 people die every day, or roughly one death every 35 minutes. That adds up to about 15,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Gabon?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Gabon. 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 HIV/AIDS first in 2023, with 11% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Gabon?
Life expectancy at birth in Gabon is 66.5 years, 6.3 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 137th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Gabon high?
Gabon records about 6.2 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.