Kuwait · Asia
How many people die in Kuwait every day?
In Kuwait, about 33 people die every day, roughly one death every 44 minutes. That is about 12,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 148th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 78.7 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
33
Deaths per year
12,000
Life expectancy
78.7 years
Population
4,310,108
Death rate
2.8 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Kuwait
78.7
World avg
72.8
+5.9 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Kuwait
2.8
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Kuwait by time period
| Per hour | 1.4 |
| Per day | 33 |
| Per week | 230 |
| Per month | 1,000 |
| Per year | 12,000 |
What people die of in Kuwait
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Kuwait in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 26.9% of all deaths, about 5.8 a day. It was followed by diabetes and stroke.
Deaths from pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections have increased about 3-fold since 2000, from about 123 to 423 a year. Deaths from congenital anomalies have fallen by 34% since 2000, from about 290 to 191 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) | 2,117 | 5.8 | 26.9% | +144% |
| 2 | Diabetes | 495 | 1.4 | 6.3% | +202% |
| 3 | Stroke | 453 | 1.2 | 5.8% | +51% |
| 4 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 423 | 1.2 | 5.4% | +244% |
| 5 | Road injuries | 389 | 1.1 | 4.9% | -1% |
| 6 | Kidney diseases | 307 | under 1 | 3.9% | +140% |
| 7 | Breast cancer | 249 | under 1 | 3.2% | +180% |
| 8 | Hypertensive heart disease | 246 | under 1 | 3.1% | +46% |
| 9 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 211 | under 1 | 2.7% | +230% |
| 10 | Congenital anomalies | 191 | under 1 | 2.4% | -34% |
Deaths in Kuwait since 2000
WHO estimates that about 7,864 people died in Kuwait in 2023, 80% 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 | 4,367 deaths |
| 2010 | 5,346 deaths |
| 2019 | 7,421 deaths |
| 2023 | 7,864 deaths |
Life expectancy in Kuwait since 1950
A baby born in Kuwait in 1950 could expect to live about 49.7 years. By 2023 that had risen to 80.4, a gain of 30.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 49.7 years |
| 1980 | 71.1 years |
| 2000 | 75.9 years |
| 2010 | 77.5 years |
| 2019 | 80 years |
| 2023 | 80.4 years |
Kuwait compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Kuwait ranks 6th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuwait | 33 | 78.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Oman | 33 | 78.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Georgia | 132 | 74.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Mongolia | 52 | 70.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Lebanon | 93 | 74.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Singapore | 66 | 83.5 | 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 Kuwait every day?
In Kuwait, about 33 people die every day, or roughly one death every 44 minutes. That adds up to about 12,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Kuwait?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Kuwait. 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 26.9% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Kuwait?
Life expectancy at birth in Kuwait is 78.7 years, 5.9 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 38th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Kuwait high?
Kuwait records about 2.8 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.