Rank, number of deaths, percentage of deaths, and age-specific mortality rates for the leading causes of death, by age group and sex, 2000 to most recent year.

In 2023, the leading causes of death in Canada were malignant neoplasms (cancer) and diseases of the heart. Together, these diseases accounted for around ** percent of all deaths in Canada that year. COVID-19 was the sixth leading cause of death in Canada in 2023 with *** percent of deaths. The leading causes of death in Canada In 2023, around ****** people in Canada died from cancer, making it by far the leading cause of death in the country. In comparison, an estimated ****** people died from diseases of the heart, while ****** died from accidents. In 2023, the death rate for diabetes mellitus was **** per 100,000 population, making it the seventh leading cause of death. Diabetes is a growing problem in Canada, with around ***** percent of the population diagnosed with the disease as of 2023. What is the deadliest form of cancer in Canada? In Canada, lung and bronchus cancer account for the largest share of cancer deaths, followed by colorectal cancer. In 2023, the death rate for lung and bronchus cancer was **** per 100,000 population, compared to **** deaths per 100,000 population for colorectal cancer. However, although lung and bronchus cancer are the deadliest cancers for both men and women in Canada, breast cancer is the second-deadliest cancer among women, accounting for **** percent of all cancer deaths. Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly cancer among men in Canada, followed by prostate cancer. In 2023, colorectal cancer accounted for around **** percent of all cancer deaths among men in Canada, while prostate cancer was responsible for **** percent of such deaths.

In 2023, accidents were the third leading cause of death in Canada, with a total of ****** deaths that year. However, the leading causes of death in Canada are by far cancer and heart disease, accounting for a combined ** percent of all deaths. This statistic displays the number of deaths from the leading causes of death in Canada in 2023.

This statistic displays the age-standardized death rate in Canada from 2000 to 2023, including all causes. In 2007, around *** out of 100 thousand Canadians died from any cause. In 2023, the death rate stood at nearly *** per 100,000. Death rates in CanadaCardiovascular disease and cancer are two of the most common causes of death in Canada and among other developed countries. In Canada major cardiovascular diseases accounted for around *** deaths per 100,000 population in 2023 and cancer accounted for around *** deaths per 100,000 population. The overall death rate in Canada has steadily increased since 2010, but saw greater increases in the years 2020 to 2022, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, COVID-19 was the fourth leading cause of death in Canada, accounting for around five percent of all deaths that year. Life expectancy in CanadaBetween 1970 and 2019, Canada’s life expectancy at birth increased by *** years. The life expectancy in Canada as of 2021 was at almost 82 years of age, one year above the average life expectancy for OECD countries. As is common around the world, the life expectancy for women in Canada is higher than that of men, with Canadian women expected to live an average of over four years longer than their male counterparts.

Number of deaths caused by external causes of morbidity and mortality, by age group and sex, 2000 to most recent year.

This table contains 26010 series, with data for years 1996 - 1996 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (170 items: Canada; Newfoundland and Labrador; Health and Community Services St. John's Region; Newfoundland and Labrador; Health and Community Services Eastern Region; Newfoundland and Labrador ...), Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Females; Males ...), Selected causes of death (ICD-9) (17 items: Total; all causes of death; Colorectal cancer; Lung cancer; All malignant neoplasms (cancers) ...), Characteristics (3 items: Mortality; Low 95% confidence interval; mortality; High 95% confidence interval; mortality ...).

Number of deaths and age-specific mortality rates for selected grouped causes, by age group and sex, 2000 to most recent year.

Canada CA: Cause of Death: by Injury: % of Total data was reported at 5.419 % in 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.778 % for 2015. Canada CA: Cause of Death: by Injury: % of Total data is updated yearly, averaging 5.730 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2019, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.049 % in 2010 and a record low of 5.419 % in 2019. Canada CA: Cause of Death: by Injury: % of Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Cause of death refers to the share of all deaths for all ages by underlying causes. Injuries include unintentional and intentional injuries.;Derived based on the data from Global Health Estimates 2020: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000-2019. Geneva, World Health Organization; 2020. Link: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/ghe-leading-causes-of-death;Weighted average;

This table contains 70641 series, with data for years 1997 - 1997 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (167 items: Canada; Health and Community Services Eastern Region; Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland and Labrador; Health and Community Services St. John's Region; Newfoundland and Labrador ...), Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Males; Females ...), Selected causes of death (ICD-9) (17 items: Total; all causes of death; All malignant neoplasms (cancers);Lung cancer; Colorectal cancer ...), Characteristics (9 items: Number of deaths; Low 95% confidence interval; number of deaths; Mortality; High 95% confidence interval; number of deaths ...).

This table provides Canadians and researchers with provisional data to monitor weekly death trends by selected grouped causes of death in Canada. Given the delays in receiving the data from the provincial and territorial vital statistics offices, these data are considered provisional. Data in this table will be available by province and territory.

This table contains 238 series, with data for years 2000 - 2004 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (14 items: Canada; Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island; Newfoundland and Labrador ...), Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Males; Females ...), Selected causes of death (ICD-10) (7 items: Colorectal cancer; Lung cancer; Female breast cancer; Prostate cancer ...).

Canada CA: Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data was reported at 89.809 % in 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 88.636 % for 2015. Canada CA: Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data is updated yearly, averaging 89.253 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2019, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 89.809 % in 2019 and a record low of 88.636 % in 2015. Canada CA: Cause of Death: by Non-Communicable Diseases: % of Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Cause of death refers to the share of all deaths for all ages by underlying causes. Non-communicable diseases include cancer, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, digestive diseases, skin diseases, musculoskeletal diseases, and congenital anomalies.;Derived based on the data from Global Health Estimates 2020: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000-2019. Geneva, World Health Organization; 2020. Link: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/ghe-leading-causes-of-death;Weighted average;

In 2023, there were 15,343 medically assisted deaths in Canada. Medical assistance in dying (MAID) became legal in Canada in June 2016, and since then, cases of MAID have increased every year. To be eligible for MAID, one must meet specific criteria and only a medical practitioner can assess for and provide MAID. How is medical assistance in dying carried out? In Canada, there are two methods of MAID available. One is clinician-assisted medical assistance in dying, in which a physician or nurse practitioner directly administers a substance to the patient which causes death. The second method is self-administered medical assistance in dying, in which a medical practitioner provides the patient with a drug that they take themselves to cause death. As of 2023, around 64 percent of medically assisted death practitioners in Canada for people whose natural death was reasonably foreseeable were in family medicine, while 12.6 percent were in palliative medicine and 11.6 percent in anaesthesiology. Why do people choose medical assistance in dying? One important criterion to be eligible for MAID in Canada is that one must have a grievous and irremediable medical condition. In 2022, around 63 percent of those who received MAID had cancer, while 19 percent suffered from a cardiovascular condition. Furthermore, 96 percent of those who received MAID in 2023 had lost the ability to engage in meaningful activities. The elderly account for the majority of medically assisted deaths in Canada, and in most cases, natural death is reasonably foreseeable.

In 2023, around *** out of 100,000 Canadians died from major cardiovascular diseases. In 2000, the death rate stood at over *** deaths per 100,000. This statistic displays the age-standardized death rate for major cardiovascular diseases in Canada from 2000 to 2023. Cardiovascular health Cardiovascular health and disease has come to the forefront of healthcare in recent years, as the burden due to these diseases and related conditions has increased over time in an aging population. Public health strategies are focused on reducing the impact of cardiovascular conditions through education and interventions targeted at decreasing the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases- many of which involve lifestyle and diet elements. Medical interventions for cardiovascular disease can range from emergency interventions to surgical procedures to pharmacological treatments: in Canada, medications for the cardiovascular system held over *** percent of the sales share for patented drugs in 2021. Causes of death in Canada Worldwide, Canada ranks in the top twenty countries for life expectancy and is well above the OECD average, with the average life expectancy higher for Canadian women than for men. Much like in other developed countries, malignant neoplasms join cardiovascular diseases in the leading causes of death in Canada; other main causes of death in the country include accidents, cerebrovascular diseases, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. Over the past couple decades, the age-standardized death rate for all causes among Canada’s population has increased; in 2023, it reached nearly *** per 100,000 population.

Canada CA: Cause of Death: by Communicable Diseases & Maternal, Prenatal & Nutrition Conditions: % of Total data was reported at 4.772 % in 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.585 % for 2015. Canada CA: Cause of Death: by Communicable Diseases & Maternal, Prenatal & Nutrition Conditions: % of Total data is updated yearly, averaging 4.994 % from Dec 2000 (Median) to 2019, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.585 % in 2015 and a record low of 4.549 % in 2000. Canada CA: Cause of Death: by Communicable Diseases & Maternal, Prenatal & Nutrition Conditions: % of Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Canada – Table CA.World Bank.WDI: Social: Health Statistics. Cause of death refers to the share of all deaths for all ages by underlying causes. Communicable diseases and maternal, prenatal and nutrition conditions include infectious and parasitic diseases, respiratory infections, and nutritional deficiencies such as underweight and stunting.;Derived based on the data from Global Health Estimates 2020: Deaths by Cause, Age, Sex, by Country and by Region, 2000-2019. Geneva, World Health Organization; 2020. Link: https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/themes/mortality-and-global-health-estimates/ghe-leading-causes-of-death;Weighted average;

This table contains 5190 series, with data for years 1996 - 1996 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (173 items: Canada; Health and Community Services St. John's Region; Newfoundland and Labrador; Health and Community Services Eastern Region; Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland and Labrador ...), Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Males; Females ...), Selected causes of death (ICD-9) (4 items: Bacterial infections; population aged 5 to 64;Cervical cancer; females aged 5 to 64;Pneumonia and unspecified bronchitis; population aged 5 to 49;Hypertensive diseases; population aged 5 to 64 ...), Characteristics (3 items: Deaths due to medically treatable diseases; High 95% confidence interval; deaths due to medically treatable diseases; Low 95% confidence interval; deaths due to medically treatable diseases ...).

This dataset reports the daily reported number of deaths involving COVID-19 by fatality type.

Learn how the Government of Ontario is helping to keep Ontarians safe during the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak.

Effective November 14, 2024 this page will no longer be updated. Information about COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses is available on Public Health Ontario’s interactive respiratory virus tool: https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/Data-and-Analysis/Infectious-Disease/Respiratory-Virus-Tool

Data includes:

• Date on which the death occurred
• Total number of deaths involving COVID-19
• Number of deaths with “COVID-19 as the underlying cause of death”
• Number of deaths with “COVID-19 contributed but not underlying cause”
• Number of deaths where the “Cause of death unknown” or “Cause of death missing”

Additional Notes

The method used to count COVID-19 deaths has changed, effective December 1, 2022. Prior to December 1 2022, deaths were counted based on the date the death was updated in the public health unit’s system. Going forward, deaths are counted on the date they occurred.

On November 30, 2023 the count of COVID-19 deaths was updated to include missing historical deaths from January 15, 2020 to March 31, 2023.

CCM is a dynamic disease reporting system which allows ongoing update to data previously entered. As a result, data extracted from CCM represents a snapshot at the time of extraction and may differ from previous or subsequent results. Public Health Units continually clean up COVID-19 data, correcting for missing or overcounted cases and deaths. These corrections can result in data spikes and current totals being different from previously reported cases and deaths. Observed trends over time should be interpreted with caution for the most recent period due to reporting and/or data entry lags.

As of December 1, 2022, data are based on the date on which the death occurred. This reporting method differs from the prior method which is based on net change in COVID-19 deaths reported day over day.

Data are based on net change in COVID-19 deaths for which COVID-19 caused the death reported day over day. Deaths are not reported by the date on which death happened as reporting may include deaths that happened on previous dates.

Spikes, negative numbers and other data anomalies: Due to ongoing data entry and data quality assurance activities in Case and Contact Management system (CCM) file, Public Health Units continually clean up COVID-19, correcting for missing or overcounted cases and deaths. These corrections can result in data spikes, negative numbers and current totals being different from previously reported case and death counts.

Public Health Units report cause of death in the CCM based on information available to them at the time of reporting and in accordance with definitions provided by Public Health Ontario. The medical certificate of death is the official record and the cause of death could be different.

Deaths are defined per the outcome field in CCM marked as “Fatal”. Deaths in COVID-19 cases identified as unrelated to COVID-19 are not included in the number of deaths involving COVID-19 reported.

"_Cause of death unknown_" is the category of death for COVID-19 positive individuals with cause of death still under investigation, or for which the public health unit was unable to determine cause of death. The category may change later when the cause of death is confirmed either as “COVID-19 as the underlying cause of death”, “COVID-19 contributed but not underlying cause,” or “COVID-19 unrelated”.

"_Cause of death missing_" is the category of death for COVID-19 positive individuals with the cause of death missing in CCM.

Rates for the most recent days are subject to reporting lags

All data reflects totals from 8 p.m. the previous day.

This dataset is subject to change.

In 2021, the leading cause of death for infants less than one year of age in Canada was congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities. This statistic shows the leading causes of infant mortality in Canada in 2021.

Actual value and historical data chart for Canada Cause Of Death By Non Communicable Diseases Percent Of Total

This table contains 70641 series, with data for years 2001 - 2001 (not all combinations necessarily have data for all years). This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (167 items: Canada; Health and Community Services Eastern Region; Newfoundland and Labrador; Newfoundland and Labrador; Health and Community Services St. John's Region; Newfoundland and Labrador ...), Sex (3 items: Both sexes; Males; Females ...), Selected causes of death (ICD-10) (17 items: Total; all causes of death; Colorectal cancer; Lung cancer; All malignant neoplasms (cancers) ...), Characteristics (9 items: Number of deaths; Low 95% confidence interval; number of deaths; Mortality; High 95% confidence interval; number of deaths ...).