Malta · Europe
How many people die in Malta every day?
In Malta, about 11 people die every day, roughly one death every 2 hours. That is about 4,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 163rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 82.5 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
11
Deaths per year
4,000
Life expectancy
82.5 years
Population
535,064
Death rate
7.5 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Malta
82.5
World avg
72.8
+9.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Malta
7.5
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Malta by time period
| Per hour | 0.5 |
| Per day | 11 |
| Per week | 77 |
| Per month | 333 |
| Per year | 4,000 |
What people die of in Malta
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Malta in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 16.7% of all deaths, about 2.0 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections.
Deaths from diabetes have more than doubled since 2000, from about 88 to 187 a year. Deaths from stroke have fallen by 25% since 2000, from about 324 to 244 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) | 730 | 2.0 | 16.7% | -23% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 382 | 1.0 | 8.8% | n/a |
| 3 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 332 | under 1 | 7.6% | +62% |
| 4 | Stroke | 244 | under 1 | 5.6% | -25% |
| 5 | Lung cancer | 218 | under 1 | 5% | +69% |
| 6 | Diabetes | 187 | under 1 | 4.3% | +113% |
| 7 | COPD | 148 | under 1 | 3.4% | +8% |
| 8 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 138 | under 1 | 3.2% | +45% |
| 9 | Pancreatic cancer | 111 | under 1 | 2.5% | n/a |
| 10 | Breast cancer | 96 | under 1 | 2.2% | -3% |
Deaths in Malta since 2000
WHO estimates that about 4,360 people died in Malta in 2023, 41% 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 | 3,086 deaths |
| 2010 | 3,222 deaths |
| 2019 | 3,817 deaths |
| 2023 | 4,360 deaths |
Life expectancy in Malta since 1950
A baby born in Malta in 1950 could expect to live about 63.5 years. By 2023 that had risen to 83.3, a gain of 19.8 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 63.5 years |
| 1980 | 72.3 years |
| 2000 | 77.9 years |
| 2010 | 81.4 years |
| 2019 | 82.8 years |
| 2023 | 83.3 years |
Malta compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Malta 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malta | 11 | 82.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Cyprus | 23 | 81 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Estonia | 44 | 78.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Latvia | 79 | 75.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| North Macedonia | 60 | 75.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Slovenia | 60 | 81.3 | 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 Malta every day?
In Malta, about 11 people die every day, or roughly one death every 2 hours. That adds up to about 4,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Malta?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Malta. 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 16.7% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Malta?
Life expectancy at birth in Malta is 82.5 years, 9.7 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 17th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Malta high?
Malta records about 7.5 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.