United States · Americas
How many people die in the United States every day?
In the United States, about 8,466 people die every day, roughly one death every 10 seconds. That is about 3,090,000 deaths a year, 5.0% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 3rd highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 77.5 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
8,466
Deaths per year
3,090,000
Life expectancy
77.5 years
Population
339,996,563
Death rate
9.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
United States
77.5
World avg
72.8
+4.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
United States
9.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in the United States by time period
| Per hour | 353 |
| Per day | 8,466 |
| Per week | 59,260 |
| Per month | 257,500 |
| Per year | 3,090,000 |
What people die of in the United States
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in the United States in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 15.1% of all deaths, about 1,280 a day. It was followed by Alzheimer's and other dementias and stroke.
Deaths from drug use disorders have increased about 6-fold since 2000, from about 16,612 to 105,042 a year. Deaths from heart disease (ischaemic) have fallen by 23% since 2000, from about 609,747 to 467,037 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) | 467,037 | 1,280 | 15.1% | -23% |
| 2 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 294,224 | 806 | 9.5% | +244% |
| 3 | Stroke | 174,753 | 479 | 5.7% | +1% |
| 4 | COPD | 171,236 | 469 | 5.5% | +22% |
| 5 | Lung cancer | 134,354 | 368 | 4.3% | -15% |
| 6 | Hypertensive heart disease | 109,444 | 300 | 3.5% | +212% |
| 7 | Drug use disorders | 105,042 | 288 | 3.4% | +532% |
| 8 | Kidney diseases | 101,950 | 279 | 3.3% | +96% |
| 9 | Bowel (colorectal) cancer | 63,978 | 175 | 2.1% | -2% |
| 10 | Road injuries | 63,132 | 173 | 2% | +44% |
Deaths in the United States since 2000
WHO estimates that about 3,092,432 people died in the United States in 2023, 29% 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 | 2,404,343 deaths |
| 2010 | 2,470,954 deaths |
| 2019 | 2,856,265 deaths |
| 2023 | 3,092,432 deaths |
Life expectancy in the United States since 1950
A baby born in the United States in 1950 could expect to live about 68.1 years. By 2023 that had risen to 79.3, a gain of 11.2 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 68.1 years |
| 1980 | 73.7 years |
| 2000 | 76.8 years |
| 2010 | 78.7 years |
| 2019 | 78.9 years |
| 2023 | 79.3 years |
The United States compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, the United States ranks 6th 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 States | 8,466 | 77.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Brazil | 4,192 | 75.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Mexico | 2,301 | 75 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Colombia | 767 | 77.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Argentina | 926 | 75.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Canada | 849 | 82.7 | 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 the United States every day?
In the United States, about 8,466 people die every day, or roughly one death every 10 seconds. That adds up to about 3,090,000 deaths a year, 5.0% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in the United States?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. 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 15.1% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in the United States?
Life expectancy at birth in the United States is 77.5 years, 4.7 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 50th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in the United States high?
The United States records about 9.1 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.