Pakistan · Asia
How many people die in Pakistan every day?
In Pakistan, about 4,110 people die every day, roughly one death every 21 seconds. That is about 1,500,000 deaths a year, 2.4% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 9th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 66.1 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
4,110
Deaths per year
1,500,000
Life expectancy
66.1 years
Population
240,485,658
Death rate
6.2 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Pakistan
66.1
World avg
72.8
-6.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Pakistan
6.2
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Pakistan by time period
| Per hour | 171 |
| Per day | 4,110 |
| Per week | 28,767 |
| Per month | 125,000 |
| Per year | 1,500,000 |
What people die of in Pakistan
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Pakistan in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 13.5% of all deaths, about 566 a day. It was followed by stroke and COPD.
Deaths from diabetes have risen by 96% since 2000, from about 27,375 to 53,668 a year. Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases have fallen by 54% since 2000, from about 142,504 to 65,202 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) | 206,726 | 566 | 13.5% | +73% |
| 2 | Stroke | 122,247 | 335 | 8% | +70% |
| 3 | COPD | 111,372 | 305 | 7.2% | +53% |
| 4 | Preterm birth complications | 98,190 | 269 | 6.4% | +15% |
| 5 | Birth asphyxia and birth trauma | 72,578 | 199 | 4.7% | -33% |
| 6 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 65,202 | 179 | 4.2% | -54% |
| 7 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 57,848 | 158 | 3.8% | -44% |
| 8 | Diabetes | 53,668 | 147 | 3.5% | +96% |
| 9 | Tuberculosis | 48,748 | 134 | 3.2% | -16% |
| 10 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 32,345 | 89 | 2.1% | -12% |
Deaths in Pakistan since 2000
WHO estimates that about 1,536,280 people died in Pakistan in 2023, 9% 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 | 1,409,404 deaths |
| 2010 | 1,536,794 deaths |
| 2019 | 1,527,530 deaths |
| 2023 | 1,536,280 deaths |
Life expectancy in Pakistan since 1950
A baby born in Pakistan in 1950 could expect to live about 34.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 67.6, a gain of 33.4 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 34.2 years |
| 1980 | 57.2 years |
| 2000 | 61.9 years |
| 2010 | 64.4 years |
| 2019 | 66.7 years |
| 2023 | 67.6 years |
Pakistan compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Pakistan ranks 40th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 4,110 | 66.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Indonesia | 4,932 | 67.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Bangladesh | 2,384 | 72.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Japan | 4,274 | 84.8 | Cancer |
| Philippines | 1,753 | 69.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Vietnam | 1,589 | 75.4 | 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 Pakistan every day?
In Pakistan, about 4,110 people die every day, or roughly one death every 21 seconds. That adds up to about 1,500,000 deaths a year, 2.4% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Pakistan?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Pakistan. 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 13.5% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Pakistan?
Life expectancy at birth in Pakistan is 66.1 years, 6.7 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 140th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Pakistan high?
Pakistan records about 6.2 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.