Guyana · Americas
How many people die in Guyana every day?
In Guyana, about 16 people die every day, roughly one death every 88 minutes. That is about 6,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 157th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 65.7 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
16
Deaths per year
6,000
Life expectancy
65.7 years
Population
808,726
Death rate
7.4 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Guyana
65.7
World avg
72.8
-7.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Guyana
7.4
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Guyana by time period
| Per hour | 0.7 |
| Per day | 16 |
| Per week | 115 |
| Per month | 500 |
| Per year | 6,000 |
What people die of in Guyana
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Guyana in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 12.6% of all deaths, about 4.4 a day. It was followed by stroke and diabetes.
Deaths from kidney diseases have increased about 5-fold since 2000, from about 220 to 1,106 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) | 1,599 | 4.4 | 12.6% | +98% |
| 2 | Stroke | 1,451 | 4.0 | 11.4% | +79% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 1,325 | 3.6 | 10.4% | +121% |
| 4 | Kidney diseases | 1,106 | 3.0 | 8.7% | +403% |
| 5 | Hypertensive heart disease | 1,037 | 2.8 | 8.1% | +278% |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 635 | 1.7 | 5% | +94% |
| 7 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 494 | 1.4 | 3.9% | +205% |
| 8 | Suicide | 376 | 1.0 | 3% | +22% |
| 9 | Cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, endocarditis | 253 | under 1 | 2% | +315% |
| 10 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 208 | under 1 | 1.6% | +225% |
Deaths in Guyana since 2000
WHO estimates that about 12,730 people died in Guyana in 2023, 94% 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 | 6,549 deaths |
| 2010 | 7,948 deaths |
| 2019 | 8,348 deaths |
| 2023 | 12,730 deaths |
Life expectancy in Guyana since 1950
A baby born in Guyana in 1950 could expect to live about 49.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 70.2, a gain of 21.0 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 49.2 years |
| 1980 | 60.8 years |
| 2000 | 64.1 years |
| 2010 | 66.2 years |
| 2019 | 69.1 years |
| 2023 | 70.2 years |
Guyana compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Guyana ranks 0th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guyana | 16 | 65.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 33 | 73.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Jamaica | 55 | 75.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Uruguay | 90 | 77.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Panama | 60 | 78.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Costa Rica | 71 | 80.3 | 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 Guyana every day?
In Guyana, about 16 people die every day, or roughly one death every 88 minutes. That adds up to about 6,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Guyana?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Guyana. 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 12.6% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Guyana?
Life expectancy at birth in Guyana is 65.7 years, 7.1 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 142nd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Guyana high?
Guyana records about 7.4 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.