Maldives · Asia
How many people die in the Maldives every day?
In the Maldives, about 4 people die every day, roughly one death every 5 hours. That is about 1,600 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 173rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 79.9 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
4
Deaths per year
1,600
Life expectancy
79.9 years
Population
521,021
Death rate
3.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Maldives
79.9
World avg
72.8
+7.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Maldives
3.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in the Maldives by time period
| Per hour | 0.2 |
| Per day | 4.4 |
| Per week | 31 |
| Per month | 133 |
| Per year | 1,600 |
What people die of in the Maldives
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in the Maldives in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 18.1% of all deaths, about under 1 a day. It was followed by stroke and kidney diseases.
Deaths from kidney diseases have risen by 82% since 2000, from about 60 to 109 a year. Deaths from pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections have fallen by 18% since 2000, from about 78 to 64 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) | 274 | under 1 | 18.1% | +68% |
| 2 | Stroke | 211 | under 1 | 13.9% | -5% |
| 3 | Kidney diseases | 109 | under 1 | 7.2% | +82% |
| 4 | COPD | 98 | under 1 | 6.4% | +18% |
| 5 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 64 | under 1 | 4.2% | -18% |
| 6 | Diabetes | 60 | under 1 | 4% | n/a |
| 7 | Lung cancer | 42 | under 1 | 2.8% | n/a |
| 8 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 33 | under 1 | 2.2% | n/a |
| 9 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 31 | under 1 | 2% | n/a |
| 10 | Breast cancer | 28 | under 1 | 1.8% | n/a |
Deaths in the Maldives since 2000
WHO estimates that about 1,515 people died in the Maldives in 2023, 22% 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 | 1,245 deaths |
| 2010 | 1,326 deaths |
| 2019 | 1,336 deaths |
| 2023 | 1,515 deaths |
Life expectancy in the Maldives since 1950
A baby born in the Maldives in 1950 could expect to live about 36.5 years. By 2023 that had risen to 81, a gain of 44.5 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 36.5 years |
| 1980 | 54.8 years |
| 2000 | 70.9 years |
| 2010 | 76.8 years |
| 2019 | 79.7 years |
| 2023 | 81 years |
The Maldives compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, the Maldives 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maldives | 4 | 79.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Timor-Leste | 21 | 67.7 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Bahrain | 11 | 77.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Qatar | 8 | 80.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Armenia | 77 | 75.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Mongolia | 52 | 70.8 | 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 the Maldives every day?
In the Maldives, about 4 people die every day, or roughly one death every 5 hours. That adds up to about 1,600 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in the Maldives?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the Maldives. 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 18.1% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in the Maldives?
Life expectancy at birth in the Maldives is 79.9 years, 7.1 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 35th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in the Maldives high?
The Maldives records about 3.1 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.