Italy · Europe
How many people die in Italy every day?
In Italy, about 1,945 people die every day, roughly one death every 44 seconds. That is about 710,000 deaths a year, 1.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 15th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 83.5 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
1,945
Deaths per year
710,000
Life expectancy
83.5 years
Population
58,761,146
Death rate
12.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Italy
83.5
World avg
72.8
+10.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Italy
12.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Italy by time period
| Per hour | 81 |
| Per day | 1,945 |
| Per week | 13,616 |
| Per month | 59,167 |
| Per year | 710,000 |
What people die of in Italy
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Italy in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 12.2% of all deaths, about 226 a day. It was followed by stroke and Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have more than doubled since 2000, from about 13,760 to 40,093 a year. Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have fallen by 30% since 2000, from about 117,772 to 82,473 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) | 82,473 | 226 | 12.2% | -30% |
| 2 | Stroke | 58,478 | 160 | 8.6% | -16% |
| 3 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 40,093 | 110 | 5.9% | +191% |
| 4 | Hypertensive heart disease | 35,948 | 98 | 5.3% | +65% |
| 5 | Lung cancer | 33,100 | 91 | 4.9% | +3% |
| 6 | COPD | 28,933 | 79 | 4.3% | -3% |
| 7 | Diabetes | 22,358 | 61 | 3.3% | +34% |
| 8 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 20,658 | 57 | 3.1% | +13% |
| 9 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 18,084 | 50 | 2.7% | +57% |
| 10 | COVID-19 | 17,473 | 48 | 2.6% | n/a |
Deaths in Italy since 2000
WHO estimates that about 677,206 people died in Italy in 2023, 19% 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 | 569,029 deaths |
| 2010 | 582,791 deaths |
| 2019 | 639,826 deaths |
| 2023 | 677,206 deaths |
Life expectancy in Italy since 1950
A baby born in Italy in 1950 could expect to live about 65.7 years. By 2023 that had risen to 83.7, a gain of 18.0 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 65.7 years |
| 1980 | 74.1 years |
| 2000 | 79.6 years |
| 2010 | 82.1 years |
| 2019 | 83.3 years |
| 2023 | 83.7 years |
Italy compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Italy ranks 2nd for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 1,945 | 83.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| France | 1,753 | 82.5 | Cancer |
| United Kingdom | 1,836 | 80.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Spain | 1,233 | 83.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Germany | 2,795 | 80.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ukraine | 1,644 | 71.6 | 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 Italy every day?
In Italy, about 1,945 people die every day, or roughly one death every 44 seconds. That adds up to about 710,000 deaths a year, 1.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Italy?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Italy. 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 12.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Italy?
Life expectancy at birth in Italy is 83.5 years, 10.7 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 6th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Italy high?
Italy 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.