United Arab Emirates · Asia
How many people die in the United Arab Emirates every day?
In the United Arab Emirates, about 41 people die every day, roughly one death every 35 minutes. That is about 15,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 144th 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
41
Deaths per year
15,000
Life expectancy
78.7 years
Population
9,441,129
Death rate
1.6 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
United Arab Emirates
78.7
World avg
72.8
+5.9 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
United Arab Emirates
1.6
World avg
7.7
Deaths in the United Arab Emirates by time period
| Per hour | 1.7 |
| Per day | 41 |
| Per week | 288 |
| Per month | 1,250 |
| Per year | 15,000 |
What people die of in the United Arab Emirates
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in the United Arab Emirates in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 17.2% of all deaths, about 5.5 a day. It was followed by kidney diseases and stroke.
Deaths from kidney diseases have increased about 6-fold since 2000, from about 168 to 930 a year. Deaths from road injuries have fallen by 48% since 2000, from about 1,032 to 538 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) | 2,023 | 5.5 | 17.2% | +325% |
| 2 | Kidney diseases | 930 | 2.5 | 7.9% | +454% |
| 3 | Stroke | 665 | 1.8 | 5.7% | +190% |
| 4 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 563 | 1.5 | 4.8% | +180% |
| 5 | Road injuries | 538 | 1.5 | 4.6% | -48% |
| 6 | Suicide | 309 | under 1 | 2.6% | +183% |
| 7 | Congenital anomalies | 226 | under 1 | 1.9% | +23% |
| 8 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 200 | under 1 | 1.7% | +217% |
| 9 | Breast cancer | 172 | under 1 | 1.5% | n/a |
| 10 | Cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, endocarditis | 162 | under 1 | 1.4% | n/a |
Deaths in the United Arab Emirates since 2000
WHO estimates that about 11,741 people died in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, 166% 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 | 4,406 deaths |
| 2010 | 7,281 deaths |
| 2019 | 8,704 deaths |
| 2023 | 11,741 deaths |
Life expectancy in the United Arab Emirates since 1950
A baby born in the United Arab Emirates in 1950 could expect to live about 42.1 years. By 2023 that had risen to 82.9, a gain of 40.8 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 42.1 years |
| 1980 | 68.2 years |
| 2000 | 76.3 years |
| 2010 | 81.9 years |
| 2019 | 82.6 years |
| 2023 | 82.9 years |
The United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, the United Arab Emirates ranks 8th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | 41 | 78.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Israel | 134 | 82.6 | Cancer |
| Tajikistan | 115 | 71.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Azerbaijan | 159 | 73 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Jordan | 96 | 74.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Laos | 132 | 68.1 | 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 the United Arab Emirates every day?
In the United Arab Emirates, about 41 people die every day, or roughly one death every 35 minutes. That adds up to about 15,000 deaths a year, less than 0.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in the United Arab Emirates?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United Arab Emirates. 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 17.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in the United Arab Emirates?
Life expectancy at birth in the United Arab Emirates is 78.7 years, 5.9 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 40th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in the United Arab Emirates high?
The United Arab Emirates records about 1.6 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.