Iran · Asia
How many people die in Iran every day?
In Iran, about 1,151 people die every day, roughly one death every 75 seconds. That is about 420,000 deaths a year, 0.7% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 26th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 73.6 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
1,151
Deaths per year
420,000
Life expectancy
73.6 years
Population
89,172,767
Death rate
4.7 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Iran
73.6
World avg
72.8
+0.8 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Iran
4.7
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Iran by time period
| Per hour | 48 |
| Per day | 1,151 |
| Per week | 8,055 |
| Per month | 35,000 |
| Per year | 420,000 |
What people die of in Iran
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Iran in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 21.7% of all deaths, about 255 a day. It was followed by stroke and hypertensive heart disease.
Deaths from diabetes have increased about 4-fold since 2000, from about 3,871 to 16,366 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) | 93,062 | 255 | 21.7% | +52% |
| 2 | Stroke | 33,084 | 91 | 7.7% | +22% |
| 3 | Hypertensive heart disease | 19,342 | 53 | 4.5% | +142% |
| 4 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 19,291 | 53 | 4.5% | +308% |
| 5 | Road injuries | 17,574 | 48 | 4.1% | -1% |
| 6 | Diabetes | 16,366 | 45 | 3.8% | +323% |
| 7 | COPD | 16,096 | 44 | 3.8% | +228% |
| 8 | Kidney diseases | 15,127 | 41 | 3.5% | +151% |
| 9 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 13,527 | 37 | 3.2% | +17% |
| 10 | Stomach cancer | 13,479 | 37 | 3.1% | +77% |
Deaths in Iran since 2000
WHO estimates that about 428,444 people died in Iran in 2023, 63% 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 | 262,799 deaths |
| 2010 | 330,978 deaths |
| 2019 | 395,397 deaths |
| 2023 | 428,444 deaths |
Life expectancy in Iran since 1950
A baby born in Iran in 1950 could expect to live about 38.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 77.7, a gain of 39.5 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 38.2 years |
| 1980 | 58.4 years |
| 2000 | 70.2 years |
| 2010 | 74.4 years |
| 2019 | 76.9 years |
| 2023 | 77.7 years |
Iran compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Iran ranks 21st for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | 1,151 | 73.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Turkey | 1,315 | 76 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Vietnam | 1,589 | 75.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Thailand | 1,397 | 78.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Philippines | 1,753 | 69.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Japan | 4,274 | 84.8 | Cancer |
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 Iran every day?
In Iran, about 1,151 people die every day, or roughly one death every 75 seconds. That adds up to about 420,000 deaths a year, 0.7% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Iran?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Iran. 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 21.7% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Iran?
Life expectancy at birth in Iran is 73.6 years, 0.8 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 98th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Iran high?
Iran records about 4.7 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.