Germany · Europe
How many people die in Germany every day?
In Germany, about 2,795 people die every day, roughly one death every 31 seconds. That is about 1,020,000 deaths a year, 1.6% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 10th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 80.6 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
2,795
Deaths per year
1,020,000
Life expectancy
80.6 years
Population
83,294,633
Death rate
12.2 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Germany
80.6
World avg
72.8
+7.8 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Germany
12.2
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Germany by time period
| Per hour | 116 |
| Per day | 2,795 |
| Per week | 19,562 |
| Per month | 85,000 |
| Per year | 1,020,000 |
What people die of in Germany
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Germany in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 16.8% of all deaths, about 474 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and stroke.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 11-fold since 2000, from about 6,371 to 72,364 a year. Deaths from stroke have fallen by 28% since 2000, from about 83,504 to 60,017 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) | 172,889 | 474 | 16.8% | -27% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 72,364 | 198 | 7% | +1036% |
| 3 | Stroke | 60,017 | 164 | 5.8% | -28% |
| 4 | COPD | 52,468 | 144 | 5.1% | +34% |
| 5 | Lung cancer | 44,942 | 123 | 4.4% | +12% |
| 6 | Hypertensive heart disease | 40,802 | 112 | 4% | +179% |
| 7 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 28,421 | 78 | 2.8% | +44% |
| 8 | Kidney diseases | 27,182 | 74 | 2.6% | +141% |
| 9 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 26,538 | 73 | 2.6% | -18% |
| 10 | Diabetes | 22,961 | 63 | 2.2% | +22% |
Deaths in Germany since 2000
WHO estimates that about 1,028,212 people died in Germany in 2023, 24% 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 | 828,740 deaths |
| 2010 | 840,584 deaths |
| 2019 | 945,147 deaths |
| 2023 | 1,028,212 deaths |
Life expectancy in Germany since 1950
A baby born in Germany in 1950 could expect to live about 66.8 years. By 2023 that had risen to 81.4, a gain of 14.6 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 66.8 years |
| 1980 | 73.1 years |
| 2000 | 78.1 years |
| 2010 | 80.1 years |
| 2019 | 81.2 years |
| 2023 | 81.4 years |
Germany compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Germany 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 2,795 | 80.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| United Kingdom | 1,836 | 80.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| France | 1,753 | 82.5 | Cancer |
| Italy | 1,945 | 83.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Russia | 5,616 | 69.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Spain | 1,233 | 83.6 | 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 Germany every day?
In Germany, about 2,795 people die every day, or roughly one death every 31 seconds. That adds up to about 1,020,000 deaths a year, 1.6% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Germany?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Germany. 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 16.8% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Germany?
Life expectancy at birth in Germany is 80.6 years, 7.8 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 31st of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Germany high?
Germany records about 12.2 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.