In the United States, the average person has a * in * chance of dying from heart disease and a * in * chance of dying from cancer. In comparison, the odds of dying from a dog attack are * in ******. Sadly, the odds of dying from an opioid overdose in the U.S. are * in **, making death from an opioid overdose more likely than dying from a motor vehicle accident. Opioid overdose death rates have increased insignificantly in the U.S. over the past decade. Leading causes of death in the United States Given the high lifetime odds of dying from heart disease or cancer, it is unsurprising that heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death in the United States. Together, heart disease and cancer account for around ** percent of all deaths. Other leading causes of death include accidents, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, in 2020 and 2021, COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in the United States and remained the fourth leading cause of death in 2022, with around **** deaths per 100,000 population. Heart disease in the U.S. In 2023, the death rate from heart disease in the United States was around *** per 100,000 population. The states with the highest rates of death from heart disease are Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Alabama. Coronary heart disease is the most common form of heart disease in the United States. Common risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, excessive drinking, and being overweight or obese.

United States US: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data was reported at 5.100 Ratio in 2019. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.000 Ratio for 2018. United States US: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data is updated yearly, averaging 4.800 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2019, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.500 Ratio in 1991 and a record low of 4.200 Ratio in 2013. United States US: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Probability of dying between age 20-24 years of age expressed per 1,000 youths age 20, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Aggregate data for LIC, UMC, LMC, HIC are computed based on the groupings for the World Bank fiscal year in which the data was released by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.

Motor vehicle accidents were the most likely type of transportation to cause preventable deaths in the United States, with a person born in 2020 having a one in 101 chance of dying in a motor vehicle accident. At the other end of the scale is bus travel, where passengers have a one in 305,644 chance of being in a fatal accident.

In 2018 Niger was number 1 in Probability of Dying at Age 5-14 Years totalising 37.3 Units (Deaths) Per Thousand Children Aged 5, compared to 1 in 2017.

Australia Probability of Dying at Age 15-19 Years: per 1000 data was reported at 1.500 Ratio in 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1.500 Ratio for 2018. Australia Probability of Dying at Age 15-19 Years: per 1000 data is updated yearly, averaging 2.000 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2019, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.300 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 1.500 Ratio in 2019. Australia Probability of Dying at Age 15-19 Years: per 1000 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Australia – Table AU.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Probability of dying between age 15-19 years of age expressed per 1,000 adolescents age 15, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Aggregate data for LIC, UMC, LMC, HIC are computed based on the groupings for the World Bank fiscal year in which the data was released by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.

In the United States in 2021, the death rate was highest among those aged 85 and over, with about 17,190.5 men and 14,914.5 women per 100,000 of the population passing away. For all ages, the death rate was at 1,118.2 per 100,000 of the population for males, and 970.8 per 100,000 of the population for women. The death rate Death rates generally are counted as the number of deaths per 1,000 or 100,000 of the population and include both deaths of natural and unnatural causes. The death rate in the United States had pretty much held steady since 1990 until it started to increase over the last decade, with the highest death rates recorded in recent years. While the birth rate in the United States has been decreasing, it is still currently higher than the death rate. Causes of death There are a myriad number of causes of death in the United States, but the most recent data shows the top three leading causes of death to be heart disease, cancers, and accidents. Heart disease was also the leading cause of death worldwide.

Singapore SG: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data was reported at 1.200 Ratio in 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1.200 Ratio for 2018. Singapore SG: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data is updated yearly, averaging 2.250 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2019, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.500 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 1.200 Ratio in 2019. Singapore SG: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Singapore – Table SG.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Probability of dying between age 20-24 years of age expressed per 1,000 youths age 20, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Aggregate data for LIC, UMC, LMC, HIC are computed based on the groupings for the World Bank fiscal year in which the data was released by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.

Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) in Pakistan was reported at 9.7 in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Pakistan - Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) in Lebanon was reported at 1.7 in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Lebanon - Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) in Japan was reported at 0.7 in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Japan - Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Number of deaths and mortality rates, by age group, sex, and place of residence, 1991 to most recent year.

Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) in Jamaica was reported at 2.6 in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Jamaica - Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Trinidad and Tobago TT: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data was reported at 7.000 Ratio in 2019. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.100 Ratio for 2018. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data is updated yearly, averaging 7.450 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2019, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.000 Ratio in 2009 and a record low of 6.800 Ratio in 1993. Trinidad and Tobago TT: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Trinidad and Tobago – Table TT.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Probability of dying between age 20-24 years of age expressed per 1,000 youths age 20, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Aggregate data for LIC, UMC, LMC, HIC are computed based on the groupings for the World Bank fiscal year in which the data was released by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.

Estimate of the probability of death for a single age group of men and women in the next 50 years or so.

COVID-19 rate of death, or the known deaths divided by confirmed cases, was over ten percent in Yemen, the only country that has 1,000 or more cases. This according to a calculation that combines coronavirus stats on both deaths and registered cases for 221 different countries. Note that death rates are not the same as the chance of dying from an infection or the number of deaths based on an at-risk population. By April 26, 2022, the virus had infected over 510.2 million people worldwide, and led to a loss of 6.2 million. The source seemingly does not differentiate between "the Wuhan strain" (2019-nCOV) of COVID-19, "the Kent mutation" (B.1.1.7) that appeared in the UK in late 2020, the 2021 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) from India or the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) from South Africa.

Where are these numbers coming from?

The numbers shown here were collected by Johns Hopkins University, a source that manually checks the data with domestic health authorities. For the majority of countries, this is from national authorities. In some cases, like China, the United States, Canada or Australia, city reports or other various state authorities were consulted. In this statistic, these separately reported numbers were put together. Note that Statista aims to also provide domestic source material for a more complete picture, and not to just look at one particular source. Examples are these statistics on the confirmed coronavirus cases in Russia or the COVID-19 cases in Italy, both of which are from domestic sources. For more information or other freely accessible content, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

A word on the flaws of numbers like this

People are right to ask whether these numbers are at all representative or not for several reasons. First, countries worldwide decide differently on who gets tested for the virus, meaning that comparing case numbers or death rates could to some extent be misleading. Germany, for example, started testing relatively early once the country’s first case was confirmed in Bavaria in January 2020, whereas Italy tests for the coronavirus postmortem. Second, not all people go to see (or can see, due to testing capacity) a doctor when they have mild symptoms. Countries like Norway and the Netherlands, for example, recommend people with non-severe symptoms to just stay at home. This means not all cases are known all the time, which could significantly alter the death rate as it is presented here. Third and finally, numbers like this change very frequently depending on how the pandemic spreads or the national healthcare capacity. It is therefore recommended to look at other (freely accessible) content that dives more into specifics, such as the coronavirus testing capacity in India or the number of hospital beds in the UK. Only with additional pieces of information can you get the full picture, something that this statistic in its current state simply cannot provide.

In 2023, there were around 5,529 choking deaths in the United States. Death from choking is more common among the elderly with food most often responsible for such incidents. The use of abdominal thrusts, or the Heimlich Maneuver, is suggested to dislodge objects and prevent suffocation. Death from choking In the United States, the odds of one dying from choking on food is around 1 in 2,461. These odds are greater than the odds of dying from an accidental gun discharge or as a passenger on a plane. In 2023, there were around 1.7 deaths from choking per 100,000 population. Choking among children Choking is also hazardous among young children. Young children are not only in danger of choking on food, but also of choking on small objects, such as toys with small parts. Choking, strangulation, or suffocation are some of the leading reasons for the recall of children’s products in the United States. The other most common reasons for such recalls include the danger of bodily harm and risk of flammability, burn or electric shock.

Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) in Dominica was reported at 3 in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Dominica - Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population Projections: Projected Mortality Tables 2024-2073: Risk of death by age and sex (per thousand). Annual. National.

Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) in Georgia was reported at 2.5 in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Georgia - Probability of dying at age 5-14 years (per 1,000 children age 5) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Poland PL: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data was reported at 2.800 Ratio in 2019. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.800 Ratio for 2018. Poland PL: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data is updated yearly, averaging 3.500 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2019, with 30 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.200 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 2.800 Ratio in 2019. Poland PL: Probability of Dying at Age 20-24 Years: per 1000 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Poland – Table PL.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Probability of dying between age 20-24 years of age expressed per 1,000 youths age 20, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Aggregate data for LIC, UMC, LMC, HIC are computed based on the groupings for the World Bank fiscal year in which the data was released by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation.