How People Die: Global Causes and Key Risk Factors

Non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and cancer account for nearly three-quarters of all deaths worldwide.

With death being an inevitable outcome, a question that crosses the minds of many people is: “How am I going to die?”

A simple answer is that most people die from one of the leading causes of mortality. A more precise answer is that it largely depends on individual circumstances.

For example, if you are under the age of 45, the most common cause of death in many countries is unintentional injuries or accidents. Among young adults aged 18 to 29, leading causes include road traffic accidents, suicide, and homicide. For older adults over 65, the most common causes are heart disease and cancer.

A wide range of personal factors influence mortality, including age, sex, genetics, country of residence, medical conditions, family background, occupation, income, healthcare access, and lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol use, diet, and exercise.

Before examining specific causes of death, it is important to note the positive trend in global health. In recent decades, life expectancy has increased significantly across the world, with more people living to older ages than ever before.

Improvements in healthcare have led to higher survival rates at nearly all ages, and many diseases have been reduced or better managed. Global life expectancy at birth has risen from about 46 years in 1950 to around 74 years today. At age 65, life expectancy has increased from 11 years to about 18 years over the same period.

Infant and child mortality rates have also declined sharply. The global infant mortality rate has dropped from 138 deaths per 1,000 births in 1950 to about 26 per 1,000 today. In addition, the number of centenarians has grown from roughly 15,000 in 1950 to more than 670,000 in 2026.

Globally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—conditions that are not contagious—account for about three-quarters of all deaths. However, infectious diseases such as pneumonia, influenza, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, malaria, and diarrhoeal diseases still account for a significant share of mortality.

According to the World Health Organization, the leading global causes of death include ischemic heart disease, stroke, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. Lower respiratory infections and neonatal conditions also remain major contributors.

COVID-19 was among the leading causes of death in 2021 but has since declined in ranking, though it still contributes to respiratory-related mortality.

Age-specific patterns vary widely. Among people aged 15 to 34, leading causes of death in many countries include accidents, suicide, and cancer. Suicide is now among the top three causes of death globally for people aged 15 to 29, with more than 720,000 deaths each year.

In Japan, suicide is the leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 34, while cancer and heart disease dominate among older adults. In the United States, unintentional injuries, drug overdoses, suicide, and homicide are major causes among young adults, while heart disease and cancer dominate in older age groups.

In many developed countries, including Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and South Korea, similar patterns are observed: suicide, accidents, and cancer among younger people, and chronic diseases among older adults.

In China, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, accounting for more than 40% of total deaths. In India, ischemic heart disease is the leading cause, while infectious diseases still significantly affect children and young adults.

In sub-Saharan Africa, communicable diseases remain dominant, including malaria, respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, and HIV/AIDS. Maternal and neonatal conditions also contribute significantly to mortality.

In Nigeria, malaria, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, and diarrhoeal diseases are major causes of death, alongside cardiovascular diseases and road traffic accidents.

In South America, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses are leading causes of death, while suicide and road accidents are significant among younger populations.

In conclusion, while death is universal, the causes vary widely depending on age, health, geography, and lifestyle. Some factors, such as age and genetics, cannot be changed. However, lifestyle choices such as diet, exercise, and substance use can significantly influence health outcomes and longevity.