Updated daily
View our work on COVID-19 vaccinations

Share of deaths by cause, World, 2017

Data refers to the specific cause of death, which is distinguished from risk factors for death, such as air pollution, diet and other lifestyle factors. This is shown by
cause of death as the percentage of total deaths.

0%5%10%15%20%25%30%Cardiovascular diseases31.8%Cancers17.08%Respiratory diseases7%Lower respiratory infections4.57%Dementia4.49%Digestive diseases4.25%Neonatal deaths3.19%Diarrheal diseases2.81%Diabetes mellitus2.45%Liver disease2.36%Road incidents2.22%Kidney disease2.2%Tuberculosis2.12%HIV/AIDS1.71%Suicide1.42%Malaria1.11%Homicide0.72%Parkinson disease0.61%Drowning0.53%Meningitis0.51%Nutritional deficiencies0.48%Protein-energy malnutrition0.41%Maternal deaths0.35%Alcohol disorders0.33%Drug disorders0.3%Hepatitis0.23%Fire0.22%Conflict0.21% (2016)Heat-related (hot and cold exposure)0.1%Terrorism0.05%Natural disasters0.02%