Peru · Americas
How many people die in Peru every day?
In Peru, 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 52nd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 76.5 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
76.5 years
Population
34,049,588
Death rate
5.6 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Peru
76.5
World avg
72.8
+3.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Peru
5.6
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Peru 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 Peru
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Peru in 2023 was pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections, which accounted for 13.1% of all deaths, about 65 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and stroke.
Deaths from diabetes have increased about 4-fold since 2000, from about 1,593 to 6,765 a year. Deaths from road injuries have fallen by 21% since 2000, from about 4,510 to 3,554 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 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 23,604 | 65 | 13.1% | +45% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 17,165 | 47 | 9.5% | +68% |
| 3 | Stroke | 13,395 | 37 | 7.4% | +114% |
| 4 | Kidney diseases | 7,840 | 21 | 4.3% | +52% |
| 5 | Diabetes | 6,765 | 19 | 3.7% | +325% |
| 6 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 6,385 | 17 | 3.5% | +88% |
| 7 | Stomach cancer | 5,106 | 14 | 2.8% | +27% |
| 8 | Road injuries | 3,554 | 9.7 | 2% | -21% |
| 9 | Tuberculosis | 3,453 | 9.5 | 1.9% | +17% |
| 10 | Prostate cancer | 3,050 | 8.4 | 1.7% | +95% |
Deaths in Peru since 2000
WHO estimates that about 180,433 people died in Peru in 2023, 47% 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 | 122,633 deaths |
| 2010 | 130,667 deaths |
| 2019 | 161,427 deaths |
| 2023 | 180,433 deaths |
Life expectancy in Peru since 1950
A baby born in Peru in 1950 could expect to live about 46 years. By 2023 that had risen to 77.7, a gain of 31.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 46 years |
| 1980 | 60 years |
| 2000 | 69.8 years |
| 2010 | 72.9 years |
| 2019 | 76.3 years |
| 2023 | 77.7 years |
Peru compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Peru 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | 521 | 76.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Canada | 849 | 82.7 | Cancer |
| Venezuela | 438 | 72.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Argentina | 926 | 75.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Colombia | 767 | 77.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Chile | 315 | 78.9 | 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 Peru every day?
In Peru, 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 Peru?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Peru. 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 pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections first in 2023, with 13.1% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Peru?
Life expectancy at birth in Peru is 76.5 years, 3.7 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 61st of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Peru high?
Peru records about 5.6 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.