Ireland · Europe
How many people die in Ireland every day?
In Ireland, about 90 people die every day, roughly one death every 16 minutes. That is about 33,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 123rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 82 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
90
Deaths per year
33,000
Life expectancy
82 years
Population
5,149,139
Death rate
6.4 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Ireland
82
World avg
72.8
+9.2 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Ireland
6.4
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Ireland by time period
| Per hour | 3.8 |
| Per day | 90 |
| Per week | 633 |
| Per month | 2,750 |
| Per year | 33,000 |
What people die of in Ireland
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Ireland in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 17.2% of all deaths, about 17 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and COPD.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 6-fold since 2000, from about 514 to 2,883 a year. Deaths from pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections have fallen by 37% since 2000, from about 2,538 to 1,610 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) | 6,217 | 17 | 17.2% | -17% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 2,883 | 7.9 | 8% | +461% |
| 3 | COPD | 2,464 | 6.8 | 6.8% | +26% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 1,992 | 5.5 | 5.5% | +23% |
| 5 | Stroke | 1,797 | 4.9 | 5% | -33% |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 1,610 | 4.4 | 4.5% | -37% |
| 7 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 1,147 | 3.1 | 3.2% | +19% |
| 8 | Breast cancer | 818 | 2.2 | 2.3% | +15% |
| 9 | COVID-19 | 817 | 2.2 | 2.3% | n/a |
| 10 | Prostate cancer | 726 | 2.0 | 2% | +45% |
Deaths in Ireland since 2000
WHO estimates that about 36,125 people died in Ireland in 2023, 15% 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 | 31,447 deaths |
| 2010 | 27,113 deaths |
| 2019 | 31,820 deaths |
| 2023 | 36,125 deaths |
Life expectancy in Ireland since 1950
A baby born in Ireland in 1950 could expect to live about 65.6 years. By 2023 that had risen to 82.4, a gain of 16.8 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 65.6 years |
| 1980 | 72.5 years |
| 2000 | 76.5 years |
| 2010 | 80.6 years |
| 2019 | 82.4 years |
| 2023 | 82.4 years |
Ireland compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Ireland ranks 7th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 90 | 82 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Norway | 115 | 83.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Finland | 156 | 81.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Slovakia | 153 | 77.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Denmark | 153 | 81.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Serbia | 288 | 75.8 | 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 Ireland every day?
In Ireland, about 90 people die every day, or roughly one death every 16 minutes. That adds up to about 33,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Ireland?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Ireland. 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 17.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Ireland?
Life expectancy at birth in Ireland is 82 years, 9.2 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 21st of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Ireland high?
Ireland records about 6.4 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.