Nepal · Asia
How many people die in Nepal every day?
In Nepal, about 521 people die every day, roughly one death every 3 minutes. That is about 190,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 51st highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 68.4 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
521
Deaths per year
190,000
Life expectancy
68.4 years
Population
30,896,590
Death rate
6.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Nepal
68.4
World avg
72.8
-4.4 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Nepal
6.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Nepal by time period
| Per hour | 22 |
| Per day | 521 |
| Per week | 3,644 |
| Per month | 15,833 |
| Per year | 190,000 |
What people die of in Nepal
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Nepal in 2023 was COPD, which accounted for 13.2% of all deaths, about 65 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and tuberculosis.
Deaths from diabetes have increased about 4-fold since 2000, from about 2,043 to 7,559 a year. Deaths from tuberculosis have fallen by 51% since 2000, from about 32,443 to 15,988 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 | COPD | 23,562 | 65 | 13.2% | +157% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 18,159 | 50 | 10.2% | +97% |
| 3 | Tuberculosis | 15,988 | 44 | 8.9% | -51% |
| 4 | Stroke | 15,352 | 42 | 8.6% | +108% |
| 5 | Road injuries | 10,736 | 29 | 6% | +66% |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 9,358 | 26 | 5.2% | -46% |
| 7 | Diabetes | 7,559 | 21 | 4.2% | +270% |
| 8 | Suicide | 4,156 | 11 | 2.3% | +36% |
| 9 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 4,026 | 11 | 2.3% | +41% |
| 10 | Preterm birth complications | 3,747 | 10 | 2.1% | -43% |
Deaths in Nepal since 2000
WHO estimates that about 178,674 people died in Nepal in 2023, 1% 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 | 177,037 deaths |
| 2010 | 159,972 deaths |
| 2019 | 173,185 deaths |
| 2023 | 178,674 deaths |
Life expectancy in Nepal since 1950
A baby born in Nepal in 1950 could expect to live about 37.6 years. By 2023 that had risen to 70.4, a gain of 32.8 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 37.6 years |
| 1980 | 48.3 years |
| 2000 | 62.6 years |
| 2010 | 66.8 years |
| 2019 | 69.3 years |
| 2023 | 70.4 years |
Nepal compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Nepal 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 521 | 68.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Malaysia | 493 | 74.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Yemen | 493 | 63.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Uzbekistan | 466 | 71.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| North Korea | 685 | 72 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Saudi Arabia | 274 | 76.9 | 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 Nepal every day?
In Nepal, about 521 people die every day, or roughly one death every 3 minutes. That adds up to about 190,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Nepal?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Nepal. 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 COPD first in 2023, with 13.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Nepal?
Life expectancy at birth in Nepal is 68.4 years, 4.4 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 127th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Nepal high?
Nepal records about 6.1 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.