Portugal · Europe
How many people die in Portugal every day?
In Portugal, about 329 people die every day, roughly one death every 4 minutes. That is about 120,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 70th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 81 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
329
Deaths per year
120,000
Life expectancy
81 years
Population
10,247,605
Death rate
11.7 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Portugal
81
World avg
72.8
+8.2 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Portugal
11.7
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Portugal by time period
| Per hour | 14 |
| Per day | 329 |
| Per week | 2,301 |
| Per month | 10,000 |
| Per year | 120,000 |
What people die of in Portugal
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Portugal in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 10.7% of all deaths, about 35 a day. It was followed by stroke and Alzheimer's and other dementias.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 9-fold since 2000, from about 1,007 to 9,527 a year. Deaths from stroke have fallen by 55% since 2000, from about 23,756 to 10,792 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) | 12,625 | 35 | 10.7% | -23% |
| 2 | Stroke | 10,792 | 30 | 9.1% | -55% |
| 3 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 9,527 | 26 | 8.1% | +846% |
| 4 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 5,194 | 14 | 4.4% | -4% |
| 5 | Lung cancer | 4,924 | 13 | 4.2% | +52% |
| 6 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 4,302 | 12 | 3.6% | +25% |
| 7 | COPD | 4,245 | 12 | 3.6% | -5% |
| 8 | Diabetes | 3,334 | 9.1 | 2.8% | +3% |
| 9 | Kidney diseases | 3,073 | 8.4 | 2.6% | +71% |
| 10 | Hypertensive heart disease | 2,911 | 8.0 | 2.5% | +156% |
Deaths in Portugal since 2000
WHO estimates that about 118,295 people died in Portugal in 2023, 13% 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 | 104,777 deaths |
| 2010 | 107,084 deaths |
| 2019 | 112,338 deaths |
| 2023 | 118,295 deaths |
Life expectancy in Portugal since 1950
A baby born in Portugal in 1950 could expect to live about 58.5 years. By 2023 that had risen to 82.4, a gain of 23.9 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 58.5 years |
| 1980 | 71.7 years |
| 2000 | 76.8 years |
| 2010 | 80.1 years |
| 2019 | 82 years |
| 2023 | 82.4 years |
Portugal compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Portugal ranks 15th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 329 | 81 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Greece | 342 | 80.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Sweden | 260 | 83 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Czech Republic | 329 | 79 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Hungary | 384 | 76 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Belarus | 356 | 73 | 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 Portugal every day?
In Portugal, about 329 people die every day, or roughly one death every 4 minutes. That adds up to about 120,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Portugal?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Portugal. 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 10.7% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Portugal?
Life expectancy at birth in Portugal is 81 years, 8.2 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 29th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Portugal high?
Portugal records about 11.7 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.