Venezuela · Americas
How many people die in Venezuela every day?
In Venezuela, about 438 people die every day, roughly one death every 3 minutes. That is about 160,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 61st highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 72.1 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
438
Deaths per year
160,000
Life expectancy
72.1 years
Population
28,838,499
Death rate
5.5 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Venezuela
72.1
World avg
72.8
-0.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Venezuela
5.5
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Venezuela by time period
| Per hour | 18 |
| Per day | 438 |
| Per week | 3,068 |
| Per month | 13,333 |
| Per year | 160,000 |
What people die of in Venezuela
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Venezuela in 2023 was heart disease (ischaemic), which accounted for 27.2% of all deaths, about 165 a day. It was followed by stroke and kidney diseases.
Deaths from kidney diseases have increased about 4-fold since 2000, from about 4,099 to 17,766 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) | 60,356 | 165 | 27.2% | +229% |
| 2 | Stroke | 20,749 | 57 | 9.3% | +174% |
| 3 | Kidney diseases | 17,766 | 49 | 8% | +333% |
| 4 | Diabetes | 10,408 | 29 | 4.7% | +127% |
| 5 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 7,594 | 21 | 3.4% | +136% |
| 6 | Hypertensive heart disease | 5,963 | 16 | 2.7% | +98% |
| 7 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 5,398 | 15 | 2.4% | +150% |
| 8 | COPD | 5,291 | 14 | 2.4% | +93% |
| 9 | Lung cancer | 4,725 | 13 | 2.1% | +128% |
| 10 | Prostate cancer | 3,920 | 11 | 1.8% | +168% |
Deaths in Venezuela since 2000
WHO estimates that about 222,264 people died in Venezuela in 2023, 108% 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 | 106,761 deaths |
| 2010 | 138,922 deaths |
| 2019 | 186,084 deaths |
| 2023 | 222,264 deaths |
Life expectancy in Venezuela since 1950
A baby born in Venezuela in 1950 could expect to live about 51.1 years. By 2023 that had risen to 72.5, a gain of 21.4 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 51.1 years |
| 1980 | 68.2 years |
| 2000 | 72.4 years |
| 2010 | 73.1 years |
| 2019 | 72.8 years |
| 2023 | 72.5 years |
Venezuela compared with similar countries in Americas
Among the 24 countries in Americas on this site, Venezuela ranks 21st for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venezuela | 438 | 72.1 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Peru | 521 | 76.5 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Canada | 849 | 82.7 | Cancer |
| Chile | 315 | 78.9 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Ecuador | 241 | 77 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Argentina | 926 | 75.4 | 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 Venezuela every day?
In Venezuela, about 438 people die every day, or roughly one death every 3 minutes. That adds up to about 160,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Venezuela?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Venezuela. 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 27.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Venezuela?
Life expectancy at birth in Venezuela is 72.1 years, 0.7 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 109th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Venezuela high?
Venezuela 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.