Top Global Death Causes: Unveiling the World’s Biggest Killers

Global Health Rankings gathers information on health from a variety of sources, including life expectancy and cause of death. COVID-19 was one of the main causes of death worldwide not so long ago (till 2023). This has altered in 2024, since the top three causes of mortality are now heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s/dementia.

Are you curious about the primary cause of death in your nation? Explore some of the world’s most common causes of death by clicking the link.

Argentina

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Influenza and pneumonia

Australia

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Alzheimer’s/dementia

Bangladesh

• The leading cause of death: Stroke
• The second most common cause of death is: Coronary heart disease

Belgium

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is:Lung cancer

Brazil

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Stroke

Canada

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Alzheimer’s/dementia

Chile

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Stroke

Colombia

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Violence

Denmark

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Alzheimer’s/dementia

Finland

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Alzheimer’s/dementia

France

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Lung cancers

Germany

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Lung cancers

Hungary

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Stroke

India

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Lung disease

Indonesia

• The leading cause of death: Stroke
• The second most common cause of death is: Coronary heart disease

Ireland

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Alzheimer’s/dementia

Italy

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Stroke

Japan

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Stroke

Malaysia

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Influenza and pneumonia

Mexico

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Diabetes mellitus

Netherlands

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Alzheimer’s/dementia

New Zealand

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Alzheimer’s/dementia

Peru

• The leading cause of death: Influenza and pneumonia
• The second most common cause of death is: Coronary heart disease

Poland

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Stroke

Portugal

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Stroke

South Africa

• The leading cause of death: HIV/AIDS
• The second most common cause of death is: Coronary heart disease

South Korea

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Stroke

Spain

• The leading cause of death: Coronary heart disease
• The second most common cause of death is: Lung cancer