Switzerland · Europe
How many people die in Switzerland every day?
In Switzerland, about 192 people die every day, roughly one death every 8 minutes. That is about 70,000 deaths a year, 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 93rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 83.4 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
192
Deaths per year
70,000
Life expectancy
83.4 years
Population
8,796,669
Death rate
8.0 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Switzerland
83.4
World avg
72.8
+10.6 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Switzerland
8.0
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Switzerland by time period
| Per hour | 8.0 |
| Per day | 192 |
| Per week | 1,342 |
| Per month | 5,833 |
| Per year | 70,000 |
What people die of in Switzerland
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Switzerland in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 13.9% of all deaths, about 27 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and stroke.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have more than doubled since 2000, from about 2,694 to 7,260 a year. Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have fallen by 36% since 2000, from about 15,644 to 9,954 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) | 9,954 | 27 | 13.9% | -36% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 7,260 | 20 | 10.1% | +169% |
| 3 | Stroke | 3,953 | 11 | 5.5% | -19% |
| 4 | Lung cancer | 3,422 | 9.4 | 4.8% | +17% |
| 5 | COPD | 2,971 | 8.1 | 4.1% | +4% |
| 6 | Hypertensive heart disease | 2,786 | 7.6 | 3.9% | +160% |
| 7 | Falls | 2,168 | 5.9 | 3% | +97% |
| 8 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 1,740 | 4.8 | 2.4% | -11% |
| 9 | Pancreatic cancer | 1,648 | 4.5 | 2.3% | +83% |
| 10 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 1,581 | 4.3 | 2.2% | -29% |
Deaths in Switzerland since 2000
WHO estimates that about 71,830 people died in Switzerland in 2023, 15% 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 | 62,518 deaths |
| 2010 | 61,826 deaths |
| 2019 | 68,075 deaths |
| 2023 | 71,830 deaths |
Life expectancy in Switzerland since 1950
A baby born in Switzerland in 1950 could expect to live about 68.9 years. By 2023 that had risen to 84, a gain of 15.1 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 68.9 years |
| 1980 | 75.6 years |
| 2000 | 79.8 years |
| 2010 | 82.3 years |
| 2019 | 83.8 years |
| 2023 | 84 years |
Switzerland compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, Switzerland ranks 3rd for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 192 | 83.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Austria | 244 | 81.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Belarus | 356 | 73 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Hungary | 384 | 76 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Portugal | 329 | 81 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Greece | 342 | 80.1 | 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 Switzerland every day?
In Switzerland, about 192 people die every day, or roughly one death every 8 minutes. That adds up to about 70,000 deaths a year, 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Switzerland?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Switzerland. 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 13.9% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Switzerland?
Life expectancy at birth in Switzerland is 83.4 years, 10.6 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 9th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Switzerland high?
Switzerland records about 8.0 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.