Vietnam · Asia
How many people die in Vietnam every day?
In Vietnam, about 1,589 people die every day, roughly one death every 54 seconds. That is about 580,000 deaths a year, 0.9% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 21st highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 75.4 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
1,589
Deaths per year
580,000
Life expectancy
75.4 years
Population
99,462,928
Death rate
5.8 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Cardiovascular disease
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Vietnam
75.4
World avg
72.8
+2.6 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Vietnam
5.8
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Vietnam by time period
| Per hour | 66 |
| Per day | 1,589 |
| Per week | 11,123 |
| Per month | 48,333 |
| Per year | 580,000 |
What people die of in Vietnam
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Vietnam in 2023 was stroke, which accounted for 19.2% of all deaths, about 379 a day. It was followed by heart disease (ischaemic) and COPD.
Deaths from Alzheimer's and other dementias have increased about 3-fold since 2000, from about 12,984 to 43,899 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 | Stroke | 138,417 | 379 | 19.2% | +59% |
| 2 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 69,277 | 190 | 9.6% | +144% |
| 3 | COPD | 45,133 | 124 | 6.3% | +94% |
| 4 | Alzheimer's and other dementias | 43,899 | 120 | 6.1% | +238% |
| 5 | Diabetes | 33,829 | 93 | 4.7% | +181% |
| 6 | Hypertensive heart disease | 25,992 | 71 | 3.6% | +142% |
| 7 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 24,930 | 68 | 3.5% | +42% |
| 8 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 24,539 | 67 | 3.4% | +75% |
| 9 | Lung cancer | 21,612 | 59 | 3% | +194% |
| 10 | Kidney diseases | 20,433 | 56 | 2.8% | +118% |
Deaths in Vietnam since 2000
WHO estimates that about 720,006 people died in Vietnam in 2023, 67% 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 | 431,397 deaths |
| 2010 | 538,855 deaths |
| 2019 | 620,937 deaths |
| 2023 | 720,006 deaths |
Life expectancy in Vietnam since 1950
A baby born in Vietnam in 1950 could expect to live about 48 years. By 2023 that had risen to 74.6, a gain of 26.6 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 48 years |
| 1980 | 65.3 years |
| 2000 | 72.7 years |
| 2010 | 73.6 years |
| 2019 | 74.2 years |
| 2023 | 74.6 years |
Vietnam compared with similar countries in Asia
Among the 43 countries in Asia on this site, Vietnam ranks 15th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | 1,589 | 75.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Iran | 1,151 | 73.6 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Turkey | 1,315 | 76 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Philippines | 1,753 | 69.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Japan | 4,274 | 84.8 | Cancer |
| Thailand | 1,397 | 78.7 | 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 Vietnam every day?
In Vietnam, about 1,589 people die every day, or roughly one death every 54 seconds. That adds up to about 580,000 deaths a year, 0.9% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Vietnam?
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Vietnam. 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 stroke first in 2023, with 19.2% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Vietnam?
Life expectancy at birth in Vietnam is 75.4 years, 2.6 years above the world average of 72.8. That ranks 71st of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Vietnam high?
Vietnam records about 5.8 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.