Syria · Asia
How many people die in Syria every day?
In Syria, about 301 people die every day, roughly one death every 5 minutes. That is about 110,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 78th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 72.7 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
301
Deaths per year
110,000
Life expectancy
72.7 years
Population
22,125,249
Death rate
5.0 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Syria
72.7
World avg
72.8
-0.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Syria
5.0
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Syria by time period
| Per hour | 13 |
| Per day | 301 |
| Per week | 2,110 |
| Per month | 9,167 |
| Per year | 110,000 |
What people die of in Syria
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Syria in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 27% of all deaths, about 80 a day. It was followed by stroke and road injuries.
Deaths from road injuries have more than doubled since 2000, from about 2,611 to 7,479 a year. Deaths from preterm birth complications have fallen by 27% since 2000, from about 3,586 to 2,630 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) | 29,132 | 80 | 27% | +44% |
| 2 | Stroke | 7,839 | 21 | 7.3% | 0% |
| 3 | Road injuries | 7,479 | 20 | 6.9% | +186% |
| 4 | Natural disasters | 7,113 | 19 | 6.6% | n/a |
| 5 | Kidney diseases | 5,356 | 15 | 5% | +111% |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 3,579 | 9.8 | 3.3% | +28% |
| 7 | Hypertensive heart disease | 3,116 | 8.5 | 2.9% | +47% |
| 8 | Congenital anomalies | 3,097 | 8.5 | 2.9% | -8% |
| 9 | War and conflict | 2,835 | 7.8 | 2.6% | n/a |
| 10 | Preterm birth complications | 2,630 | 7.2 | 2.4% | -27% |
Deaths in Syria since 2000
WHO estimates that about 107,726 people died in Syria in 2023, 56% 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 | 69,050 deaths |
| 2010 | 81,501 deaths |
| 2019 | 100,509 deaths |
| 2023 | 107,726 deaths |
Life expectancy in Syria since 1950
A baby born in Syria in 1950 could expect to live about 42.5 years. By 2023 that had risen to 72.1, a gain of 29.6 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 42.5 years |
| 1980 | 66.5 years |
| 2000 | 70.9 years |
| 2010 | 73.5 years |
| 2019 | 71 years |
| 2023 | 72.1 years |
Syria compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Syria ranks 23rd for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syria | 301 | 72.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Sri Lanka | 397 | 76.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Kazakhstan | 452 | 69.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| North Korea | 685 | 72 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Cambodia | 274 | 69.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Nepal | 521 | 68.4 | 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 Syria every day?
In Syria, about 301 people die every day, or roughly one death every 5 minutes. That adds up to about 110,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Syria?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Syria. 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 27% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Syria?
Life expectancy at birth in Syria is 72.7 years, 0.1 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 106th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Syria high?
Syria records about 5.0 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.