The latest data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study for 2023 highlights the world’s most critical public health challenges. Of the world’s total estimated deaths of over 60 million people, Ischemic Heart Disease (such as myocardial infarction) overwhelmingly ranks first with about 9 million deaths. Together with stroke, these two account for roughly one-quarter of total global deaths. Notably, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) occupy the top seven spots, with their proportion increasing yearly due to aging populations and lifestyle changes. Furthermore, “Sudden Death,” which unexpectedly strikes approximately 6-7 million people annually, is caused by cardiovascular disease in over 80% of cases.
Global Ranking of Causes of Death (2023 Latest Data)
According to the data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2023, the total global deaths in 2023 exceeded approximately 60 million, with Non-Communicable Diseases (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc.) being the primary cause. In GBD 2023, COVID-19 has dropped from the 1st rank in 2021 to around 20th, allowing traditional leading causes (Ischemic Heart Disease, Stroke) to return to the top.
The following is the top 10 list of leading causes of death (estimated deaths and percentage), ranked based on age-standardized mortality rates:
| Rank | Cause of Death | Estimated Deaths (Millions) | Percentage (%) | Details |
| 1st | Ischemic Heart Disease (Myocardial Infarction, etc.) | ~9.00 | 16% | Primarily caused by insufficient blood flow to the heart. Hypertension and smoking are major risks. |
| 2nd | Stroke | ~6.50 | 11% | Clogging or rupture of cerebral blood vessels. Increasing with the aging population. |
| 3rd | Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | ~3.50 | 6% | Caused by smoking and air pollution. A leading respiratory disease. |
| 4th | Lower Respiratory Infections (Pneumonia, etc.) | ~3.00 | 5% | The main infectious cause of death. More prominent in developing countries. |
| 5th | Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias | ~2.50 | 4% | Primarily affects the elderly. More common in women (68%). |
| 6th | Diabetes Mellitus | ~2.00 | 3.5% | A lifestyle disease. Increased by 95% since 2000. |
| 7th | Lower Respiratory Diseases (Bronchitis, etc.) | ~1.80 | 3% | A combination of infection and environmental factors. |
| 8th | Kidney Diseases | ~1.50 | 2.5% | Underlying causes include hypertension and diabetes. |
| 9th | Liver Diseases (Cirrhosis, etc.) | ~1.40 | 2.5% | Alcohol and viral hepatitis are significant contributors. |
| 10th | Lung Cancer | ~1.30 | 2% | Primarily caused by smoking. Accounts for about 20% of all cancer deaths. |
Notes:
- The data is based on GBD 2023 and WHO 2021-2023 estimates. COVID-19 accounted for approximately 2 million deaths in 2023 (3% of total deaths), ranking around 20th.
- Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) occupy the top seven ranks (about 40% of total deaths), with Lower Respiratory Infections being the only infectious disease in the top tier. Infectious diseases tend to rank higher in low-income countries.
- Annual Trend: The proportion of NCDs has increased from 4/10 to 7/10 since 2000, driven by aging and lifestyle changes.
Global Ranking of Causes of Sudden Death
Sudden Death (unexpected death from sudden cardiac arrest or acute attack, primarily cardiac in origin) occurs in approximately 6-7 million cases annually worldwide, with cardiovascular diseases accounting for over 80%. This estimated ranking, based on WHO and cardiology society data, shows Ischemic Heart Disease as the overwhelming majority. The percentages below are estimates from epidemiological surveys.
| Rank | Cause | Percentage (%) | Details and Characteristics |
| 1st | Acute Myocardial Infarction/Ischemic Heart Disease | ~40-50% | Acute occlusion of the coronary artery. Risks include smoking and high cholesterol. The main cause of sudden death worldwide. |
| 2nd | Ventricular Arrhythmias (Ventricular Fibrillation, etc.) | ~20-30% | Cardiac arrest due to electrical abnormalities in the heart. Existing heart disease is the underlying cause. |
| 3rd | Stroke (Hemorrhagic/Infarction) | ~10-15% | Sudden rupture or clogging of cerebral blood vessels. High immediate fatality rate with loss of consciousness. |
| 4th | Pulmonary Embolism | ~5-10% | Blood clot obstructing the pulmonary artery. Increased during prolonged immobility (e.g., on airplanes). |
| 5th | Aortic Dissection/Rupture | ~5% | Tear in the wall of the aorta. Accompanied by severe pain, with an immediate fatality rate of over 50%. |
Notes:
- Approximately 40-50% of sudden deaths are cardiovascular in origin, with a global average survival rate of less than 1% (5% in the US). Survival is possible with AED use.
- In younger individuals, causes include genetic arrhythmias and drug overdose, but the majority are elderly. Cases complicated by infectious diseases are seen in developing countries.
- The data is an estimate based on GBD and PubMed reviews. Since “sudden death” is not separately tracked in official classifications, the percentages are derived from survey data.
