United Kingdom · Europe
How many people die in the United Kingdom every day?
In the United Kingdom, about 1,836 people die every day, roughly one death every 47 seconds. That is about 670,000 deaths a year, 1.1% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 16th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 80.7 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
1,836
Deaths per year
670,000
Life expectancy
80.7 years
Population
67,736,802
Death rate
9.9 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
United Kingdom
80.7
World avg
72.8
+7.9 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
United Kingdom
9.9
World avg
7.7
Deaths in the United Kingdom by time period
| Per hour | 76 |
| Per day | 1,836 |
| Per week | 12,849 |
| Per month | 55,833 |
| Per year | 670,000 |
What people die of in the United Kingdom
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in the United Kingdom in 2023 was Alzheimer's and other dementias, which accounted for 12.8% of all deaths, about 235 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and stroke.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 7-fold since 2000, from about 12,228 to 85,898 a year. Deaths from pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections have fallen by 45% since 2000, from about 63,394 to 34,741 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 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 85,898 | 235 | 12.8% | +602% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 80,176 | 220 | 11.9% | -42% |
| 3 | Stroke | 37,643 | 103 | 5.6% | -39% |
| 4 | COPD | 36,960 | 101 | 5.5% | +21% |
| 5 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 34,741 | 95 | 5.2% | -45% |
| 6 | Lung cancer | 33,413 | 92 | 5% | -3% |
| 7 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 20,473 | 56 | 3% | +5% |
| 8 | COVID-19 | 14,957 | 41 | 2.2% | n/a |
| 9 | Prostate cancer | 13,561 | 37 | 2% | +23% |
| 10 | Breast cancer | 13,127 | 36 | 1.9% | -14% |
Deaths in the United Kingdom since 2000
WHO estimates that about 673,703 people died in the United Kingdom in 2023, 11% 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 | 605,123 deaths |
| 2010 | 559,734 deaths |
| 2019 | 602,189 deaths |
| 2023 | 673,703 deaths |
Life expectancy in the United Kingdom since 1950
A baby born in the United Kingdom in 1950 could expect to live about 68.6 years. By 2023 that had risen to 81.3, a gain of 12.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 68.6 years |
| 1980 | 73.6 years |
| 2000 | 77.8 years |
| 2010 | 80.4 years |
| 2019 | 81.4 years |
| 2023 | 81.3 years |
The United Kingdom compared with similar countries in Europe
Among the 36 countries in Europe on this site, the United Kingdom ranks 16th 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 Kingdom | 1,836 | 80.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| France | 1,753 | 82.5 | Cancer |
| Italy | 1,945 | 83.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Germany | 2,795 | 80.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Spain | 1,233 | 83.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ukraine | 1,644 | 71.6 | 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 Kingdom every day?
In the United Kingdom, about 1,836 people die every day, or roughly one death every 47 seconds. That adds up to about 670,000 deaths a year, 1.1% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom. 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 Alzheimer's and other dementias first in 2023, with 12.8% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in the United Kingdom?
Life expectancy at birth in the United Kingdom is 80.7 years, 7.9 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 30th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in the United Kingdom high?
The United Kingdom records about 9.9 deaths per 1,000 people each year, above 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.