The Top 20 Causes of Death Globally in 2021

What We're Showing

The top 20 causes of death globally in 2021, using the latest figures from the World Health Organization.

Key Takeaways

• Ischaemic heart disease, which occurs when narrowed arteries reduce blood flow and oxygen to the heart, is the leading cause of death.
• COVID-19 was the second-highest cause of death in 2021, but it should be noted reported deaths have declined dramatically since then.
• The top 20 causes of death account for 71.5% of all deaths globally.