Netherlands · Europe
How many people die in the Netherlands every day?
In the Netherlands, about 466 people die every day, roughly one death every 3 minutes. That is about 170,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 57th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 81.7 years and the leading cause of death is cancer. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
466
Deaths per year
170,000
Life expectancy
81.7 years
Population
17,618,299
Death rate
9.6 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cancer
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Netherlands
81.7
World avg
72.8
+8.9 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Netherlands
9.6
World avg
7.7
Deaths in the Netherlands by time period
| Per hour | 19 |
| Per day | 466 |
| Per week | 3,260 |
| Per month | 14,167 |
| Per year | 170,000 |
What people die of in the Netherlands
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in the Netherlands in 2023 was Alzheimer's and other dementias, which accounted for 11.3% of all deaths, about 53 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and stroke.
Deaths from falls have increased about 9-fold since 2000, from about 742 to 6,314 a year. Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have fallen by 36% since 2000, from about 27,661 to 17,819 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 19,197 | 53 | 11.3% | +232% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 17,819 | 49 | 10.5% | -36% |
| 3 | Stroke | 10,640 | 29 | 6.3% | -19% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 10,185 | 28 | 6% | +13% |
| 5 | COPD | 9,933 | 27 | 5.8% | +4% |
| 6 | Falls | 6,314 | 17 | 3.7% | +751% |
| 7 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 5,766 | 16 | 3.4% | -22% |
| 8 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 5,090 | 14 | 3% | -1% |
| 9 | Breast cancer | 3,594 | 9.8 | 2.1% | -12% |
| 10 | COVID-19 | 3,583 | 9.8 | 2.1% | n/a |
Deaths in the Netherlands since 2000
WHO estimates that about 169,974 people died in the Netherlands in 2023, 21% 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 | 140,441 deaths |
| 2010 | 136,081 deaths |
| 2019 | 140,947 deaths |
| 2023 | 169,974 deaths |
Life expectancy in the Netherlands since 1950
A baby born in the Netherlands in 1950 could expect to live about 71.4 years. By 2023 that had risen to 82.2, a gain of 10.8 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 71.4 years |
| 1980 | 75.8 years |
| 2000 | 78.1 years |
| 2010 | 80.8 years |
| 2019 | 82.1 years |
| 2023 | 82.2 years |
The Netherlands compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, the Netherlands ranks 9th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 466 | 81.7 | Cancer |
| Romania | 712 | 74.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Belgium | 310 | 81.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Czech Republic | 329 | 79 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Sweden | 260 | 83 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Greece | 342 | 80.1 | 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 Netherlands every day?
In the Netherlands, about 466 people die every day, or roughly one death every 3 minutes. That adds up to about 170,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in the Netherlands?
Cancer is the leading cause of death in the Netherlands. Cancer tends to lead in countries where people live long enough for it to overtake heart disease. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put Alzheimer's and other dementias first in 2023, with 11.3% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in the Netherlands?
Life expectancy at birth in the Netherlands is 81.7 years, 8.9 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 23rd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in the Netherlands high?
The Netherlands records about 9.6 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.