Norway · Europe
How many people die in Norway every day?
In Norway, 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 111th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 83.2 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
83.2 years
Population
5,474,360
Death rate
7.7 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Norway
83.2
World avg
72.8
+10.4 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Norway
7.7
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Norway 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 Norway
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Norway in 2023 was Alzheimer's and other dementias, which accounted for 10.9% of all deaths, about 13 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and COPD.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 5-fold since 2000, from about 1,014 to 4,759 a year. Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have fallen by 57% since 2000, from about 10,911 to 4,666 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 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 4,759 | 13 | 10.9% | +369% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 4,666 | 13 | 10.7% | -57% |
| 3 | COPD | 2,808 | 7.7 | 6.4% | +29% |
| 4 | Stroke | 2,245 | 6.2 | 5.2% | -53% |
| 5 | Lung cancer | 2,225 | 6.1 | 5.1% | +20% |
| 6 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 1,670 | 4.6 | 3.8% | -9% |
| 7 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 1,511 | 4.1 | 3.5% | -40% |
| 8 | COVID-19 | 1,358 | 3.7 | 3.1% | n/a |
| 9 | Prostate cancer | 930 | 2.5 | 2.1% | -24% |
| 10 | Falls | 909 | 2.5 | 2.1% | +3% |
Deaths in Norway since 2000
WHO estimates that about 43,575 people died in Norway in 2023, 1% 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 | 44,024 deaths |
| 2010 | 41,462 deaths |
| 2019 | 40,550 deaths |
| 2023 | 43,575 deaths |
Life expectancy in Norway since 1950
A baby born in Norway in 1950 could expect to live about 71.6 years. By 2023 that had risen to 83.3, a gain of 11.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 71.6 years |
| 1980 | 75.7 years |
| 2000 | 78.7 years |
| 2010 | 81 years |
| 2019 | 83 years |
| 2023 | 83.3 years |
Norway compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Norway ranks 4th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | 115 | 83.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Finland | 156 | 81.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Slovakia | 153 | 77.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ireland | 90 | 82 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Denmark | 153 | 81.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Serbia | 288 | 75.8 | 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 Norway every day?
In Norway, 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 Norway?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Norway. 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 Alzheimer's and other dementias first in 2023, with 10.9% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Norway?
Life expectancy at birth in Norway is 83.2 years, 10.4 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 11th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Norway high?
Norway records about 7.7 deaths per 1,000 people each year, level with 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.