Liberia · Africa
How many people die in Liberia every day?
In Liberia, about 104 people die every day, roughly one death every 14 minutes. That is about 38,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 116th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 60.7 years and the leading cause of death is malaria. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
104
Deaths per year
38,000
Life expectancy
60.7 years
Population
5,418,377
Death rate
7.0 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Malaria
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Liberia
60.7
World avg
72.8
-12.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Liberia
7.0
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Liberia by time period
| Per hour | 4.3 |
| Per day | 104 |
| Per week | 729 |
| Per month | 3,167 |
| Per year | 38,000 |
What people die of in Liberia
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Liberia in 2023 was malaria, which accounted for 10.3% of all deaths, about 12 a day. It was followed by pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections and stroke.
Deaths from tuberculosis have increased about 4-fold since 2000, from about 528 to 1,890 a year. Deaths from HIV/AIDS have fallen by 74% since 2000, from about 3,846 to 991 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Malaria | 4,315 | 12 | 10.3% | -27% |
| 2 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 3,407 | 9.3 | 8.2% | -14% |
| 3 | Stroke | 3,328 | 9.1 | 8% | +83% |
| 4 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 2,506 | 6.9 | 6% | +135% |
| 5 | Preterm birth complications | 2,476 | 6.8 | 5.9% | +13% |
| 6 | Tuberculosis | 1,890 | 5.2 | 4.5% | +258% |
| 7 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 1,754 | 4.8 | 4.2% | -60% |
| 8 | Kidney diseases | 1,350 | 3.7 | 3.2% | +144% |
| 9 | Birth asphyxia and birth trauma | 1,141 | 3.1 | 2.7% | -21% |
| 10 | HIV/AIDS | 991 | 2.7 | 2.4% | -74% |
Deaths in Liberia since 2000
WHO estimates that about 41,709 people died in Liberia in 2023, 3% 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 | 40,589 deaths |
| 2010 | 38,049 deaths |
| 2019 | 39,752 deaths |
| 2023 | 41,709 deaths |
Life expectancy in Liberia since 1950
A baby born in Liberia in 1950 could expect to live about 38 years. By 2023 that had risen to 62.2, a gain of 24.2 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 38 years |
| 1980 | 44.1 years |
| 2000 | 51.9 years |
| 2010 | 59.4 years |
| 2019 | 61.2 years |
| 2023 | 62.2 years |
Liberia compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Liberia ranks 32nd for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberia | 104 | 60.7 | Malaria |
| Central African Republic | 181 | 53.1 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Mauritania | 88 | 64.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Congo | 104 | 64.7 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Libya | 88 | 72.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Eritrea | 71 | 66.3 | 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 Liberia every day?
In Liberia, about 104 people die every day, or roughly one death every 14 minutes. That adds up to about 38,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Liberia?
Malaria is the leading cause of death in Liberia. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and most deaths from it could be avoided with prevention and treatment. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put malaria first in 2023, with 10.3% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Liberia?
Life expectancy at birth in Liberia is 60.7 years, 12.1 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 176th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Liberia high?
Liberia records about 7.0 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.