Kiribati · Oceania
How many people die in Kiribati every day?
In Kiribati, about 3 people die every day, roughly one death every 9 hours. That is about 1,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 177th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 64.3 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
3
Deaths per year
1,000
Life expectancy
64.3 years
Population
131,232
Death rate
7.6 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Kiribati
64.3
World avg
72.8
-8.5 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Kiribati
7.6
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Kiribati by time period
| Per hour | 0.1 |
| Per day | 2.7 |
| Per week | 19 |
| Per month | 83 |
| Per year | 1,000 |
What people die of in Kiribati
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Kiribati in 2023 was stroke, which accounted for 12.2% of all deaths, about under 1 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and diabetes.
Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have more than doubled since 2000, from about 73 to 153 a year. Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases have fallen by 21% since 2000, from about 66 to 52 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 | Stroke | 157 | under 1 | 12.2% | +104% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 153 | under 1 | 11.9% | +110% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 118 | under 1 | 9.2% | +97% |
| 4 | COPD | 84 | under 1 | 6.6% | +53% |
| 5 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 55 | under 1 | 4.3% | -4% |
| 6 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 52 | under 1 | 4.1% | -21% |
| 7 | Tuberculosis | 49 | under 1 | 3.8% | n/a |
| 8 | Kidney diseases | 46 | under 1 | 3.6% | n/a |
| 9 | COVID-19 | 42 | under 1 | 3.2% | n/a |
| 10 | Preterm birth complications | 33 | under 1 | 2.6% | n/a |
Deaths in Kiribati since 2000
WHO estimates that about 1,284 people died in Kiribati in 2023, 59% 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 | 808 deaths |
| 2010 | 950 deaths |
| 2019 | 1,105 deaths |
| 2023 | 1,284 deaths |
Life expectancy in Kiribati since 1950
A baby born in Kiribati in 1950 could expect to live about 45.7 years. By 2023 that had risen to 66.5, a gain of 20.8 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 45.7 years |
| 1980 | 57.3 years |
| 2000 | 64.7 years |
| 2010 | 65.9 years |
| 2019 | 65.9 years |
| 2023 | 66.5 years |
Kiribati compared with similar countries in Oceania
Among the 3 countries in Oceania on this site, Kiribati 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kiribati | 3 | 64.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| New Zealand | 99 | 82.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Papua New Guinea | 197 | 65 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Australia | 466 | 83.3 | 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 Kiribati every day?
In Kiribati, about 3 people die every day, or roughly one death every 9 hours. That adds up to about 1,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Kiribati?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Kiribati. 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 stroke first in 2023, with 12.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Kiribati?
Life expectancy at birth in Kiribati is 64.3 years, 8.5 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 154th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Kiribati high?
Kiribati records about 7.6 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.