Timor-Leste · Asia
How many people die in Timor-Leste every day?
In Timor-Leste, about 21 people die every day, roughly one death every 70 minutes. That is about 7,500 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 154th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 67.7 years and the leading cause of death is lower respiratory infections. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
21
Deaths per year
7,500
Life expectancy
67.7 years
Population
1,360,596
Death rate
5.5 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Lower respiratory infections
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Timor-Leste
67.7
World avg
72.8
-5.1 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Timor-Leste
5.5
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Timor-Leste by time period
| Per hour | 0.9 |
| Per day | 21 |
| Per week | 144 |
| Per month | 625 |
| Per year | 7,500 |
What people die of in Timor-Leste
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Timor-Leste in 2023 was stroke, which accounted for 15.4% of all deaths, about 3.8 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections.
Deaths from COPD have increased about 5-fold since 2000, from about 87 to 435 a year. Deaths from tuberculosis have fallen by 38% since 2000, from about 477 to 294 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stroke | 1,369 | 3.8 | 15.4% | +285% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 1,014 | 2.8 | 11.4% | +388% |
| 3 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 800 | 2.2 | 9% | -15% |
| 4 | COPD | 435 | 1.2 | 4.9% | +400% |
| 5 | Hypertensive heart disease | 312 | under 1 | 3.5% | +380% |
| 6 | Kidney diseases | 298 | under 1 | 3.4% | +277% |
| 7 | Tuberculosis | 294 | under 1 | 3.3% | -38% |
| 8 | Diabetes | 279 | under 1 | 3.1% | +357% |
| 9 | Preterm birth complications | 259 | under 1 | 2.9% | -17% |
| 10 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 223 | under 1 | 2.5% | +153% |
Deaths in Timor-Leste since 2000
WHO estimates that about 8,872 people died in Timor-Leste in 2023, 34% 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 | 6,623 deaths |
| 2010 | 7,197 deaths |
| 2019 | 8,305 deaths |
| 2023 | 8,872 deaths |
Life expectancy in Timor-Leste since 1950
A baby born in Timor-Leste in 1950 could expect to live about 29.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 67.7, a gain of 38.5 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 29.2 years |
| 1980 | 30.2 years |
| 2000 | 58.1 years |
| 2010 | 63.7 years |
| 2019 | 66.5 years |
| 2023 | 67.7 years |
Timor-Leste compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Timor-Leste ranks 37th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timor-Leste | 21 | 67.7 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Bahrain | 11 | 77.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Qatar | 8 | 80.2 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Armenia | 77 | 75.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Mongolia | 52 | 70.8 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Georgia | 132 | 74.2 | 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 Timor-Leste every day?
In Timor-Leste, about 21 people die every day, or roughly one death every 70 minutes. That adds up to about 7,500 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Timor-Leste?
Lower respiratory infections is the leading cause of death in Timor-Leste. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and most deaths from it could be avoided with prevention and treatment. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put stroke first in 2023, with 15.4% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Timor-Leste?
Life expectancy at birth in Timor-Leste is 67.7 years, 5.1 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 130th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Timor-Leste high?
Timor-Leste records about 5.5 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.