Greece · Europe
How many people die in Greece every day?
In Greece, about 342 people die every day, roughly one death every 4 minutes. That is about 125,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 67th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 80.1 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
342
Deaths per year
125,000
Life expectancy
80.1 years
Population
10,341,277
Death rate
12.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Greece
80.1
World avg
72.8
+7.3 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Greece
12.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Greece by time period
| Per hour | 14 |
| Per day | 342 |
| Per week | 2,397 |
| Per month | 10,417 |
| Per year | 125,000 |
What people die of in Greece
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Greece in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 15.9% of all deaths, about 55 a day. It was followed by stroke and pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 7-fold since 2000, from about 626 to 4,261 a year. Deaths from stroke have fallen by 43% since 2000, from about 20,738 to 11,839 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) | 20,187 | 55 | 15.9% | -28% |
| 2 | Stroke | 11,839 | 32 | 9.3% | -43% |
| 3 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 7,783 | 21 | 6.1% | +141% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 7,015 | 19 | 5.5% | +18% |
| 5 | COVID-19 | 6,188 | 17 | 4.9% | n/a |
| 6 | COPD | 4,877 | 13 | 3.9% | -16% |
| 7 | Kidney diseases | 4,710 | 13 | 3.7% | +142% |
| 8 | Hypertensive heart disease | 4,607 | 13 | 3.6% | +302% |
| 9 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 4,261 | 12 | 3.4% | +581% |
| 10 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 3,572 | 9.8 | 2.8% | +59% |
Deaths in Greece since 2000
WHO estimates that about 126,657 people died in Greece 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 | 105,239 deaths |
| 2010 | 109,037 deaths |
| 2019 | 125,002 deaths |
| 2023 | 126,657 deaths |
Life expectancy in Greece since 1950
A baby born in Greece in 1950 could expect to live about 66.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 81.9, a gain of 15.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 66.2 years |
| 1980 | 74.5 years |
| 2000 | 78.4 years |
| 2010 | 80.6 years |
| 2019 | 81.3 years |
| 2023 | 81.9 years |
Greece compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Greece ranks 18th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greece | 342 | 80.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Portugal | 329 | 81 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Sweden | 260 | 83 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Czech Republic | 329 | 79 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Hungary | 384 | 76 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Belarus | 356 | 73 | 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 Greece every day?
In Greece, about 342 people die every day, or roughly one death every 4 minutes. That adds up to about 125,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Greece?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Greece. 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 15.9% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Greece?
Life expectancy at birth in Greece is 80.1 years, 7.3 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 34th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Greece high?
Greece 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.