Samoa · Oceania
How many people die in Samoa every day?
In Samoa, about 3 people die every day, roughly one death every 7 hours. That is about 1,200 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 176th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 72.8 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
3
Deaths per year
1,200
Life expectancy
72.8 years
Population
222,382
Death rate
5.4 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Samoa
72.8
World avg
72.8
+0.0 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Samoa
5.4
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Samoa by time period
| Per hour | 0.1 |
| Per day | 3.3 |
| Per week | 23 |
| Per month | 100 |
| Per year | 1,200 |
What people die of in Samoa
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Samoa in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 18.4% of all deaths, about under 1 a day. It was followed by stroke and diabetes.
Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have risen by 31% since 2000, from about 160 to 210 a year. Deaths from COPD have fallen by 19% since 2000, from about 79 to 64 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) | 210 | under 1 | 18.4% | +31% |
| 2 | Stroke | 116 | under 1 | 10.2% | +10% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 104 | under 1 | 9.2% | +4% |
| 4 | COPD | 64 | under 1 | 5.6% | -19% |
| 5 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 63 | under 1 | 5.5% | -17% |
| 6 | Kidney diseases | 54 | under 1 | 4.7% | n/a |
| 7 | Lung cancer | 40 | under 1 | 3.5% | n/a |
| 8 | COVID-19 | 29 | under 1 | 2.5% | n/a |
| 9 | Breast cancer | 25 | under 1 | 2.1% | n/a |
| 10 | Congenital anomalies | 23 | under 1 | 2% | n/a |
Deaths in Samoa since 2000
WHO estimates that about 1,141 people died in Samoa in 2023, 11% 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 | 1,024 deaths |
| 2010 | 1,166 deaths |
| 2019 | 1,396 deaths |
| 2023 | 1,141 deaths |
Life expectancy in Samoa since 1950
A baby born in Samoa in 1950 could expect to live about 49.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 71.7, a gain of 22.5 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 49.2 years |
| 1980 | 65 years |
| 2000 | 70.8 years |
| 2010 | 71.5 years |
| 2019 | 70.3 years |
| 2023 | 71.7 years |
Samoa compared with similar countries in Oceania
Among the 3 countries in Oceania on this site, Samoa ranks 0th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samoa | 3 | 72.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| New Zealand | 99 | 82.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Papua New Guinea | 197 | 65 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Australia | 466 | 83.3 | 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 Samoa every day?
In Samoa, about 3 people die every day, or roughly one death every 7 hours. That adds up to about 1,200 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Samoa?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Samoa. 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 18.4% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Samoa?
Life expectancy at birth in Samoa is 72.8 years, 0.0 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 105th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Samoa high?
Samoa records about 5.4 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.