Moldova · Europe
How many people die in Moldova every day?
In Moldova, about 115 people die every day, roughly one death every 13 minutes. That is about 42,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 110th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 72 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
115
Deaths per year
42,000
Life expectancy
72 years
Population
3,435,931
Death rate
12.2 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Moldova
72
World avg
72.8
-0.8 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Moldova
12.2
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Moldova by time period
| Per hour | 4.8 |
| Per day | 115 |
| Per week | 805 |
| Per month | 3,500 |
| Per year | 42,000 |
What people die of in Moldova
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Moldova in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 35% of all deaths, about 39 a day. It was followed by stroke and hypertensive heart disease.
Deaths from hypertensive heart disease have increased about 7-fold since 2000, from about 410 to 2,684 a year. Deaths from cirrhosis of the liver have fallen by 42% since 2000, from about 3,666 to 2,124 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) | 14,252 | 39 | 35% | -34% |
| 2 | Stroke | 6,193 | 17 | 15.2% | -27% |
| 3 | Hypertensive heart disease | 2,684 | 7.4 | 6.6% | +555% |
| 4 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 2,124 | 5.8 | 5.2% | -42% |
| 5 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 1,379 | 3.8 | 3.4% | +17% |
| 6 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 1,097 | 3.0 | 2.7% | +43% |
| 7 | Lung cancer | 977 | 2.7 | 2.4% | +11% |
| 8 | Cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, endocarditis | 722 | 2.0 | 1.8% | +348% |
| 9 | Breast cancer | 658 | 1.8 | 1.6% | +23% |
| 10 | Stomach cancer | 458 | 1.3 | 1.1% | -33% |
Deaths in Moldova since 2000
WHO estimates that about 40,727 people died in Moldova in 2023, 23% fewer 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 | 52,745 deaths |
| 2010 | 48,229 deaths |
| 2019 | 43,300 deaths |
| 2023 | 40,727 deaths |
Life expectancy in Moldova since 1950
A baby born in Moldova in 1950 could expect to live about 54 years. By 2023 that had risen to 71.2, a gain of 17.2 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 54 years |
| 1980 | 65.2 years |
| 2000 | 67.5 years |
| 2010 | 69.9 years |
| 2019 | 70.2 years |
| 2023 | 71.2 years |
Moldova compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Moldova ranks 34th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moldova | 115 | 72 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 104 | 77.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Croatia | 142 | 78 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Albania | 60 | 76.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Lithuania | 115 | 75.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ireland | 90 | 82 | 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 Moldova every day?
In Moldova, about 115 people die every day, or roughly one death every 13 minutes. That adds up to about 42,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Moldova?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Moldova. 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 35% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Moldova?
Life expectancy at birth in Moldova is 72 years, 0.8 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 111th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Moldova high?
Moldova records about 12.2 deaths per 1,000 people each year, above 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.