The number of deaths in Sweden in 2020 amounted to over 98,000. A high share of the deaths in 2020 were related to the coronavirus pandemic. However, in 2021, the number sank below 92,000, before increasing to over 94,000 in 2022 and 2023. The highest number of coronavirus deaths were among individuals age 70 and older. Sweden is the Nordic country that has reported the highest number of COVID-19-related deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The most common causes of death

The most common cause of death in 2022 was diseases of the circulatory system (cardiovascular diseases). This cause was followed by cancerous tumors.

 Ischemic heart disease

Among the diseases in the circulatory system, the one that caused the most deaths was chronic ischemic heart disease. Chronic ischemic heart disease is when the blood flow to the heart is reduced because the arteries of the heart are blocked. In 2020, ischemic heart disease caused more than 50,000 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants.

The number of deaths per week in Sweden was higher from week 12 to week 26 in 2020 than it was in the years 2015 to 2019. Moreover, it increased from week 46 in 2020 and fell below the average of 2015 to 2019 in week five in 2021. Several of the deaths in 2020 were related to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2022, the number of deaths per week decreased from week seven, but was high in the last weeks of the year and the first weeks of 2023, before falling again. Causes of death In 2022, diseases of the circulatory system were the most common cause of death in Sweden. Over 28,000 deaths were caused by this type of disease that year. Cancerous tumors caused the second highest number of deaths in Sweden. COVID-19 in Sweden Sweden is the Nordic country that has reported the highest number of COVID-19 deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic. All in all, the number of deaths in Sweden in 2023 amounted to nearly 95,000.

The crude death rate in Sweden was down at the lowest point in 2019, when 8.6 deaths occurred per thousand mid-year population. In 2020, however, the crude death rate increased and amounted to 9.5 deaths per 1,000 inhabitants. Over 98,000 individuals died during 2020 in Sweden. In 2020, the crude death rate in Sweden was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the crude death rate in the country was at nine.

Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) in Sweden was reported at 9 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Sweden - Death rate, crude - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

UNICEF's country profile for Sweden, including under-five mortality rates, child health, education and sanitation data.

Mortality rate, under-5, male (per 1,000 live births) in Sweden was reported at 2.7 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Sweden - Mortality rate, under-5, male (per 1,000 live births) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Sweden SE: Mortality Rate: Adult: Male: per 1000 Male Adults data was reported at 63.986 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 66.952 Ratio for 2015. Sweden SE: Mortality Rate: Adult: Male: per 1000 Male Adults data is updated yearly, averaging 122.280 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 147.497 Ratio in 1976 and a record low of 63.986 Ratio in 2016. Sweden SE: Mortality Rate: Adult: Male: per 1000 Male Adults data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sweden – Table SE.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Adult mortality rate, male, is the probability of dying between the ages of 15 and 60--that is, the probability of a 15-year-old male dying before reaching age 60, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year between those ages.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) University of California, Berkeley, and Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research. The Human Mortality Database.; Weighted average;

Mortality rate, infant, female (per 1,000 live births) in Sweden was reported at 1.8 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Sweden - Mortality rate, infant, female (per 1,000 live births) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Mortality rate, infant, male (per 1,000 live births) in Sweden was reported at 2.2 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Sweden - Mortality rate, infant, male (per 1,000 live births) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Sweden SE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Male: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 3.100 Ratio in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.200 Ratio for 2015. Sweden SE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Male: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 3.300 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.700 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 3.100 Ratio in 2017. Sweden SE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Male: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sweden – Table SE.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Under-five mortality rate, male is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn male baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to male 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; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

Sweden: Deaths of children under five years of age per 1000 live births: The latest value from 2022 is 3 deaths per 1000 births, unchanged from 3 deaths per 1000 births in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 25 deaths per 1000 births, based on data from 187 countries. Historically, the average for Sweden from 1960 to 2022 is 8 deaths per 1000 births. The minimum value, 3 deaths per 1000 births, was reached in 2006 while the maximum of 20 deaths per 1000 births was recorded in 1960.

In 2023, the death rate in deaths per 1,000 inhabitants in Sweden amounted to ****. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by ***, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Graph and download economic data for Infant Mortality Rate for Sweden (SPDYNIMRTINSWE) from 1960 to 2023 about mortality, infant, Sweden, and rate.

Sweden recorded 24166 Coronavirus Deaths since the epidemic began, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, Sweden reported 2708122 Coronavirus Cases. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for Sweden Coronavirus Deaths.

Child mortality rate of Sweden remained stable at 2.5 deaths per 1,000 live births over the last 2 years. Under-five mortality rate is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to current age-specific mortality rates.

Mortality rate, adult, male (per 1,000 male adults) in Sweden was reported at 56.05 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Sweden - Mortality rate, adult, male (per 1,000 male adults) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Sweden SE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Female: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 2.600 Ratio in 2017. This stayed constant from the previous number of 2.600 Ratio for 2015. Sweden SE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Female: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 2.800 Ratio from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2017, with 5 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.200 Ratio in 1990 and a record low of 2.600 Ratio in 2017. Sweden SE: Mortality Rate: Under-5: Female: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Sweden – Table SE.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Under-five mortality rate, female is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn female baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to female 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; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

Maternal mortality ratio of Sweden sank by 20.00% from 5.0 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2022 to 4.0 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023. Since the 25.00% jump in 2020, maternal mortality ratio plummeted by 20.00% in 2023. Maternal mortality ratio is the number of women who die during pregnancy and childbirth, per 100,000 live births. The data are estimated with a regression model using information on fertility, birth attendants, and HIV prevalence.

Total Covid deaths per million in Sweden, March, 2023 The most recent value is 2262 total Covid deaths as of March 2023, an increase compared to the previous value of 2251 total Covid deaths. Historically, the average for Sweden from March 2020 to March 2023 is 1356 total Covid deaths. The minimum of 23 total Covid deaths was recorded in March 2020, while the maximum of 2262 total Covid deaths was reached in March 2023. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) in Sweden was reported at 13.84 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Sweden - Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.