Spain · Europe
How many people die in Spain every day?
In Spain, about 1,233 people die every day, roughly one death every 70 seconds. That is about 450,000 deaths a year, 0.7% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 25th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 83.6 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
1,233
Deaths per year
450,000
Life expectancy
83.6 years
Population
47,519,628
Death rate
9.5 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Spain
83.6
World avg
72.8
+10.8 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Spain
9.5
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Spain by time period
| Per hour | 51 |
| Per day | 1,233 |
| Per week | 8,630 |
| Per month | 37,500 |
| Per year | 450,000 |
What people die of in Spain
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Spain in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 11.1% of all deaths, about 135 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and stroke.
Deaths from hypertensive heart disease have increased about 3-fold since 2000, from about 3,184 to 10,216 a year. Deaths from stroke have fallen by 31% since 2000, from about 39,394 to 27,214 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) | 49,124 | 135 | 11.1% | -22% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 38,417 | 105 | 8.7% | +125% |
| 3 | Stroke | 27,214 | 75 | 6.2% | -31% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 23,392 | 64 | 5.3% | +30% |
| 5 | COPD | 16,749 | 46 | 3.8% | -23% |
| 6 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 16,557 | 45 | 3.7% | +24% |
| 7 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 14,387 | 39 | 3.3% | +51% |
| 8 | Kidney diseases | 11,958 | 33 | 2.7% | +59% |
| 9 | Hypertensive heart disease | 10,216 | 28 | 2.3% | +221% |
| 10 | Diabetes | 9,565 | 26 | 2.2% | +13% |
Deaths in Spain since 2000
WHO estimates that about 442,103 people died in Spain in 2023, 22% 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 | 360,907 deaths |
| 2010 | 383,632 deaths |
| 2019 | 419,319 deaths |
| 2023 | 442,103 deaths |
Life expectancy in Spain since 1950
A baby born in Spain in 1950 could expect to live about 61.8 years. By 2023 that had risen to 83.7, a gain of 21.9 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 61.8 years |
| 1980 | 75.5 years |
| 2000 | 79.4 years |
| 2010 | 82 years |
| 2019 | 83.5 years |
| 2023 | 83.7 years |
Spain compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Spain ranks 1st for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 1,233 | 83.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Italy | 1,945 | 83.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ukraine | 1,644 | 71.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Poland | 1,151 | 77 | Cardiovascular disease |
| France | 1,753 | 82.5 | Cancer |
| United Kingdom | 1,836 | 80.7 | 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 Spain every day?
In Spain, about 1,233 people die every day, or roughly one death every 70 seconds. That adds up to about 450,000 deaths a year, 0.7% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Spain?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Spain. 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 11.1% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Spain?
Life expectancy at birth in Spain is 83.6 years, 10.8 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 5th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Spain high?
Spain records about 9.5 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.