Thailand · Asia
How many people die in Thailand every day?
In Thailand, about 1,397 people die every day, roughly one death every 62 seconds. That is about 510,000 deaths a year, 0.8% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 23rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 78.7 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
1,397
Deaths per year
510,000
Life expectancy
78.7 years
Population
71,801,279
Death rate
7.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Thailand
78.7
World avg
72.8
+5.9 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Thailand
7.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Thailand by time period
| Per hour | 58 |
| Per day | 1,397 |
| Per week | 9,781 |
| Per month | 42,500 |
| Per year | 510,000 |
What people die of in Thailand
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Thailand in 2023 was stroke, which accounted for 9.6% of all deaths, about 147 a day. It was followed by pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections and heart disease (ischaemic).
Deaths from pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections have increased about 5-fold since 2000, from about 9,829 to 46,667 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 | Stroke | 53,486 | 147 | 9.6% | +27% |
| 2 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 46,667 | 128 | 8.4% | +375% |
| 3 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 45,939 | 126 | 8.3% | +23% |
| 4 | Kidney diseases | 30,496 | 84 | 5.5% | +121% |
| 5 | Diabetes | 27,946 | 77 | 5% | +143% |
| 6 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 25,610 | 70 | 4.6% | +241% |
| 7 | Liver cancer | 25,396 | 70 | 4.6% | +62% |
| 8 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 21,842 | 60 | 3.9% | +84% |
| 9 | COPD | 21,035 | 58 | 3.8% | +18% |
| 10 | Lung cancer | 20,268 | 56 | 3.7% | +70% |
Deaths in Thailand since 2000
WHO estimates that about 555,186 people died in Thailand in 2023, 30% 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 | 428,326 deaths |
| 2010 | 408,555 deaths |
| 2019 | 479,618 deaths |
| 2023 | 555,186 deaths |
Life expectancy in Thailand since 1950
A baby born in Thailand in 1950 could expect to live about 45.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 76.4, a gain of 31.2 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 45.2 years |
| 1980 | 62.2 years |
| 2000 | 71.2 years |
| 2010 | 75 years |
| 2019 | 77.2 years |
| 2023 | 76.4 years |
Thailand compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Thailand ranks 7th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 1,397 | 78.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Turkey | 1,315 | 76 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Iran | 1,151 | 73.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Myanmar | 1,151 | 65.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Vietnam | 1,589 | 75.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| South Korea | 1,014 | 83.7 | Cancer |
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 Thailand every day?
In Thailand, about 1,397 people die every day, or roughly one death every 62 seconds. That adds up to about 510,000 deaths a year, 0.8% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Thailand?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Thailand. 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 stroke first in 2023, with 9.6% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Thailand?
Life expectancy at birth in Thailand is 78.7 years, 5.9 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 39th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Thailand high?
Thailand records about 7.1 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.