Tunisia · Africa
How many people die in Tunisia every day?
In Tunisia, 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 94th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 76.7 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
192
Deaths per year
70,000
Life expectancy
76.7 years
Population
12,458,223
Death rate
5.6 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Tunisia
76.7
World avg
72.8
+3.9 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Tunisia
5.6
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Tunisia 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 Tunisia
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Tunisia in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 12.8% of all deaths, about 23 a day. It was followed by stroke and diabetes.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have more than doubled since 2000, from about 1,850 to 4,248 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) | 8,513 | 23 | 12.8% | +44% |
| 2 | Stroke | 6,923 | 19 | 10.4% | +6% |
| 3 | Diabetes | 5,957 | 16 | 9% | +54% |
| 4 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 4,248 | 12 | 6.4% | +130% |
| 5 | Kidney diseases | 2,897 | 7.9 | 4.4% | +97% |
| 6 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 2,390 | 6.5 | 3.6% | +12% |
| 7 | COPD | 2,387 | 6.5 | 3.6% | +35% |
| 8 | Lung cancer | 2,192 | 6.0 | 3.3% | +102% |
| 9 | COVID-19 | 1,879 | 5.1 | 2.8% | n/a |
| 10 | Hypertensive heart disease | 1,756 | 4.8 | 2.6% | +67% |
Deaths in Tunisia since 2000
WHO estimates that about 66,460 people died in Tunisia in 2023, 35% 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 | 49,197 deaths |
| 2010 | 53,968 deaths |
| 2019 | 67,120 deaths |
| 2023 | 66,460 deaths |
Life expectancy in Tunisia since 1950
A baby born in Tunisia in 1950 could expect to live about 38.2 years. By 2023 that had risen to 76.5, a gain of 38.3 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 38.2 years |
| 1980 | 63.7 years |
| 2000 | 72.6 years |
| 2010 | 74.4 years |
| 2019 | 75.6 years |
| 2023 | 76.5 years |
Tunisia compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Tunisia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tunisia | 192 | 76.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Burundi | 260 | 61.7 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Benin | 260 | 62.8 | Malaria |
| South Sudan | 301 | 55 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Rwanda | 186 | 66.1 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Guinea | 301 | 58.9 | Malaria |
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 Tunisia every day?
In Tunisia, 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 Tunisia?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Tunisia. 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 12.8% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Tunisia?
Life expectancy at birth in Tunisia is 76.7 years, 3.9 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 59th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Tunisia high?
Tunisia records about 5.6 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.