Deaths from drug overdose
20-49 years old · Rising trend
LifestyleDeaths today
---
Deaths this year
---
Key fact
Opioids are involved in 75% of all drug-related deaths. Naloxone can reverse an overdose.
Deaths / year
600,000
Deaths / day
1,644
Deaths / hour
68
Deaths / second
0.02
Overview
Drug use disorders and overdoses kill approximately 600,000 people per year globally. Opioids account for roughly 75% of drug-related deaths. The crisis is particularly severe in North America, where fentanyl has driven overdose deaths to record levels.
Risk Factors
Age group most affected
20-49 years old
Global trend
Rising
Read more on this topic
How Many People Die From Drug Overdoses Every Day in 2026
About 822 people die from overdoses every day worldwide, and fentanyl alone kills 200+ Americans daily. Here is the data by drug, country, age and gender.
The Leading Causes of Death in the US, and How They Have Changed
Heart disease, cancer and injuries top the CDC list. Here are the leading causes of death in the US, how they differ by age and sex, and how they changed.
The Leading Causes of Death for Young People Worldwide
Road crashes, violence, suicide and pregnancy complications: what kills young people aged 10 to 29 around the world, and what is working to prevent it.